A/N: I apologize for my sporadic posts but I have 30 pages of coursework due in soon! I'm sorry I haven't made it clear what Edwards job is, I think a lawyer is a pretty safe bet at this point, but if I change it later on so it fits better with the story, please leave the pitchforks and torches at home. Oh yeah, I'm not Stephanie Meyers in case you were wondering.
EPOV
I groaned as I woke up, god I need more sleep. I looked at the glowing numbers on my alarm clock and waited for the blurriness to disappear so I could actually read them. 6:00am ugh.
After jumping in a cold shower I was relatively awake. A coffee would help that further. I called my driver and asked him to drive me to work, today was definitely not a run to work mood.
I watched the blur of moss, trees and an approaching sign out of the semi darkened window. When we were close enough for me to read the aforementioned sign I said unthinkingly to the driver "turn here" it was the turn off for that pie cafe. I could get some more of that coffee.
The driver looked suspiciously at me as I got out of the car, it his job to drive me wherever the hell I want to go, on every whim dammit. Why's he looking weirdly at me pray?
When I knocked on the door I was let in almost instantly this time, well of course she would, today I'm not getting soaked. I was met with the overpowering smell of vanilla.
"Sorry I may have overdone the shortbread, I have three plates of it in the kitchen. I didn't expect to see you back so soon" she said quizzically. "Well my coffee maker died a painful death this morning and I came to get a cup" she smiled at my excuse. In truth I didn't know why I had come here, a fleeting fancy of my mind that there was something different about this place and its owner. It almost emitted an aura of wellbeing just by being there.
I took the same seat as yesterday and watched her retreating back as she bustled into the kitchen. She turned on the coffee machine, causing it to hum contentedly; mine never hummed, just groaned, and sprinkled more sugar on the plates of shortbread. I wrinkled my nose in distaste, I hate sugary things.
When she brought me my coffee she took a seat, same as yesterday. But she also placed on of the plates of biscuits. "I was wondering if you'd do me a favour?" she asked. "That depends vastly upon what it is" god if she wants me to eat the damn cookies I'm walking out right now.
She studied me silently for a minute, her head tilted to one side with her hair almost reaching the table, almost auburn in this light. "Well as I said I may have inadvertently overdone the shortbread slightly. I was wondering if you could take a plate of my hands for me. I'm sure your co-workers would appreciate it even if you don't like sweet things".
Why not, I can dump them on the table at my meeting, if they get eaten the get eaten, we leave out glasses of water don't we?
"Thanks" I said and I pulled the plate closer to look at them. They were thin perfectly round pale crumbly discs with darker swirls of chocolate spanning from the centre.
BPOV
When Edward came in this morning he looked like death on legs, his skin was pale and deep purple bags hung under his eyes. His lanky frame told me he didn't eat the best diet in the world, the poor thing probably never worked out how to turn on his oven, but I recognised a wiry strength that shouldn't be underestimated.
After offering him the plate of shortbread he started at them for a while, like he was trying to ascertain patterns in them or hidden meanings. I went back to my kitchen to clean up the mixing bowls I had used earlier. And I heard the clatter of the chair he was on being pushed back.
I hastened to the door and watched him leave. This time though. He looked back.
I gave him a little finger wave and picked up his mug and the ten dollars he has left. It wasn't long before my regulars started filing in. It was simple a cup of strong sweet tea and a slice of Loganberry pie for Sue, a hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows served with a huge slice of Battenberg for Seth, shortbread and black coffee for Mr. Banner. Of course it's impossible to bake everyone's favourites every day but I can normally tell what people will like.
I got Seth to deliver a bath of assorted pie and cookies to the police station and school staff room with the promise of free deserts for two weeks and started to clear up some of the empty tables. When I heard the tinkle of the bell above the door I whipped round to see one of my eldest friends Alice Cullen with her polar opposite Rose in tow. Alice and Rose are sisters but as different as could be. Alice was 5 foot nothing with spiky black hair and a petite frame. Her enthusiasm is unstoppable which in high school earned her the nickname Evil Pixie. Whereas Rose was a tall willowy blonde with striking looks. She was more reserved and aloof but once you got to know her you find she's one of the most loyal people.
I ran towards Alice and she did the same. I spun her round and placed her down so I could hug Rose who was smiling at our greeting. "sit down let me get you some cake" they did and I almost ran to my kitchen to get the special things I reserved for parties, red velvet chocolate cake for Rose and a light fluffy angel food cake for Alice. I also juggled a tea pot and cups on the tray and haphazardly hurried back.
"So tell me everything how is your clothes range going? Rose, still modelling? What's it like in New York? "I squealed excited. Alice rushed back just a fast as me "it's great I got a new deal to design a wedding dress for someone very important yesterday" I was dying to know who, I knew Alice was successful but designing a dress for a celebrity, wow. It made my lifelong ambition look rather small. "Who, wow that amazing I'm so happy for you!" Rose jumped in with her melodious voice. "Me!" "So you and Emmet are finally making it official" I cried. Rose and Emmet had been childhood sweethearts ever since Rose fixed his beloved jeep back when we were juniors. "Can I cater please, please, please; I'll get on my knees and beg if I have to. I want to help as much as possible, there's so much to do, have you set a date." "Yes I'd love you to, but it's not till next year so we don't have to start planning just yet" she replied giggling. "Were just here to see our old childhood buddy, your cafe seems to be doing great, still hanging round with Jake?" she asked wrinkling her perfect dainty nose. "He's the cafes partner , you just don't like him because he messed up your hair that one time, it was 7 years ago, let it go Rose". We all smiled at the memory of the Perfect Rose Cullen with messy hair. She smoothed it down self consciously. "So err Alice" I said drawing the conversation away from fashion and hair, both subjects I was way out of my depth in " have you seen your brother lately, he seems a little, out of it" her face immediately became angry. "He's actually been out of his office lately?" she asked clearly bitter. Last year Edward had been unable to go to Alice's wedding to Jasper, a cute southern boy who was a renowned physiatrist. I don't think she ever got over it.
EPOV
After the meeting my boss called me over by the window. "Edward you know you're a valued asset to the firm and your recent commitments have not gone unnoticed. The cookies were a stroke of genius, you're just what were looking for in the senior lawyers, with your abstract way of thinking and I think you'd fit the job perfectly. Shorter hours, a bigger pay check and a benefit package million people who's sell their soul for. Whaddya say?" Finally after three years of hard work and no social life, I missed my own damn sister's wedding, the dick was promoting me, for a plate of cookies? "I'd be delighted sir" I said shaking his hand. "Why don't you take the rest of the day off and I'll get someone to draw you up a contract."