Edward continued apace for a while before his mouth would open. The things he could (wouldn't) keep from Carlisle. The unchangeable nature of it now. The choices none of them would take back.

"It didn't get that far."

Edward can't decided for himself if he's being charitable or honest. It could have been so much worse if he hadn't stood up and gotten in the middle -- become a literal monochromatic distraction. His eyes before all else.