A Ilha do Amor Teaser

“I’m sorry about my sister’s big mouth, Bella.”

“I’m not,” I said, looking at him. “That is if what she said wasn’t true.”

“It’s true,” he said uncertainly. “But, I don’t know what I’m doing. Also, what I’m feeling is definitely more than a crush…God, I feel like I’m in middle school all over again.”

“Don’t remind me of middle school. That was hell. You had your dorky moments in high school. Mine were in middle school. Two words: bad perm,” I joked. “I looked like a poodle.”

“You probably cute as hell,” he said, his lips quirking up in a crooked smile.

“I had a white-girl afro,” I snorted. “I wanted to kill my mom for making me get the damn perm but she insisted that I’d adorable.”

“I’d love to see a picture,” Edward said. He sighed and shifted the icepack on my arm. “Bella, I do like you. As a friend and as something more. I have this need to protect you even though you don’t necessarily need it. Plus, you’re gorgeous, funny, smart and so kind. Unfortunately, I’m broken and a girl like you probably doesn’t want a guy like me. Additionally, you’re going to be going back to the states in a few weeks and I’ll still be here. Not to mention that you were engaged up until a few days ago…It’s like the first time in forever I find someone that I can see myself with and all of the card are stacked against me.”

“Edward, I like you, too,” I said as I turned to face him.

“You do?” he asked, his eyes filled with trepidation.

“Yep,” I smiled. “The timing and distance is not ideal but there’s an attraction I feel toward you that is definitely more than just friends. When I first met you, I was kind of disgusted by your womanizing behavior but that was just a front. Inherently, you’re a good man. You have a good heart.” I pressed my hand to his chest, right above his frantically beating heart.