Read A Modern Day Sense and Sensibility: An Adaptation of Jane Austen's Classic for Free Online

confessed, the heaviness in her heart returning, “ugh, stupid emotions.” She fingered the handkerchief nervously, trying to keep her tears at bay.
    “Yeah, they always catch me off guard, too,” Edward replied in an effort to keep things light.
    Ellie smiled at him again. She hadn’t expected Edward to be such a jokester. “So, besides making despondent girls laugh, what else do you do?” she asked playfully. Ellie couldn’t quite understand what it was about Edward that made her so nervous in his presence. She almost felt like she didn’t know herself when he was around—she was all a flutter—especially when Edward flashed her that smile of his, which he just happened to do right then, causing her stomach to somersault.
    “Actually, nothing,” Edward answered matter-of-factly, folding his arms across his chest and relaxing onto the woven berth.
    “You don’t work at all?” Ellie looked at him with surprise.
    “No, I just mooch off all my friends and family,” he answered sarcastically before adding, “I live a squandering life. . .” Edward pretended to be nonchalant while examining his fingernails as if in character, making Ellie laugh.
    “So how long do you plan on staying here then?” Ellie relaxed back next to him.
    “Oh, I don’t know. As long as they’ll have me I guess.”
    Edward looked directly at Ellie with his dazzling blue eyes, making it very hard for her to focus. Losing track of her thoughts, she defaulted to a previous question.
    “So, seriously you don’t do anything at all?” she asked again, this time attempting to look anywhere but into his eyes.
    “Well, not much,” Edward gazed beyond her to the estate’s vast backyard, noting the well manicured lawn and how majestic it looked with all the lawn lamps glowing. “I guess you could say I play at being a photographer.”
    “What type of pictures do you take?” Interested, Ellie momentarily forgot her shyness and turned slightly to better face him.
    “Wildlife, people, nature,” Edward’s face lit up as he turned back to her, “I love landscapes especially. I’ve had a few of my pictures picked up by National Geographic, but just as freelance. Regrettably, not enough to pay the bills.”
    Even though Edward downplayed his photography, Ellie couldn’t help but be impressed. To be featured in National Geographic—that was big time, right? Showing her admiration, she exclaimed, “Really? That’s awesome!”
    “Thanks,” Edward flashed Ellie his amazing smile again, but then looked away. “Just wish my mother felt the same,” he added, his voice tinged with disappointment.
    Ellie noticed the sadness on Edward’s face before he quickly tried to disguise it with a smile. Sensing some history there which might shed some light, she delved deeper, knowing that if Edward didn’t feel comfortable answering, he could just say so. “I take it your mom doesn’t want you to be a photographer?” she asked.
    Edward nodded. “I guess she thinks I should be focusing on more important things,” he explained, “Like sports cars, the latest movie stars, and corporate America.” He scoffed with frustration as he ran a hand through his chestnut hair.
    Ellie didn’t know what planet his mom came from. Most mothers wanted their sons to marry good church-going girls and settle down, not carouse with party animals. “I’m sorry,” she empathized and Edward nodded his reply. She could tell he didn’t want to talk about it anymore and obliged. “So is it just you and Francil?” Ellie asked, changing subjects.
    The uncomfortable topic now behind them, Edward relaxed again. “No,” he answered, “Francil and I have a younger brother named Rob. I don’t think you’d like him though,” he finished with that adorable grin, baiting Ellie.
    “Why not?” she inquired, taking the bait.
    “He’s really in to himself,” Edward said as he raised his eyebrows, moving them up and down which made Ellie laugh.
    She couldn’t