Dinner, Drinks, and Kitchen Cabinets
I busied myself the rest of the day with deciding what to cook. My mom had called and said she had some errands to run, so she would be late. I apologized to her and gave her a quick synopsis of everything that had happened yesterday and this morning.
"Well, I'm glad that you two got that straightened out. I was beginning to worry that I was going have to hide from you for the next few weeks."
"You still should. By the way, I'm cooking dinner so don't be too late."
"I'll be back when I can." Her voice sounded unsure and she continued, "Don't be surprised if he shows up at the house tonight, I usually have him up for dinner."
"I know, he told me that. Don't worry, I told him it was fine with me if he still came."
"Alright, well I've gotta run. I'll see you later."
"Love you, mom."
"Me too sweetheart, me too."
Later I tried to call Rose, but it went straight to voicemail, and I didn't leave a message. I placed the phone back on the receiver and pulled a pan out of the cabinet so I could get started. I had decided to make Stromboli and grabbed the now defrosted bread roll that I had laid out earlier. At least living away from home for a couple of years had forced me to learn how to cook a decent meal. After layering all the ingredients I placed my creation in to the oven and went to grab a shower.
I pulled the bandage off of my forehead and examined the bruising. It was going to scar, but that didn't bother me. Scars made for good stories, and this one was a doozy. I decided not to bandage it back up after the shower so that the wound could breathe.
I dressed in the old orange cheerleading shorts that I had stolen from Rose several years ago, and a stained white cotton tank top for the time being. I was sure that Edward would pass on dinner, so there was no reason to get dressed up. I pulled up short at that thought. Even if he was going to show up, why would I feel it appropriate to dress nicely?
I grabbed a brush and ran it through my still wet hair trying to dislodge the uneasiness I suddenly felt. I wanted to distract myself from analyzing what that meant, so I headed back in to the kitchen. After all, avoiding emotions is what I do best.
I picked up the phone and called Rose again, and this time she picked up. I dished a few more details than what I had given my mother. She was very apologetic that she couldn't be there for me at the hospital, but I assured it her that it was okay. It may have even worked out for the best. We kept our talk short because she had a friend coming by, but avoided telling me who. I laughed and told her that I knew she was hiding something, but let it go at that.
The Stromboli still had about ten minutes to go so I grabbed some pots to boil water in for the corn on the cob and green beans that would be the side dishes. I concentrated on one thing at a time so that my thoughts wouldn't wander again.
When the timer went off I pulled the Stromboli from the oven, and heard the back door open and shut.
"Perfect timing!" I called. "I guess you could just feel me willing you to come now and witness me at the peak of my culinary glory." I placed the pan on the counter and grabbed a knife to start cutting slices. "You really should come in here and witness the perfection that I am. I must admit that I am quite awe inspiring when wielding sharp objects and baking."
I looked up expecting my mother to come in at any moment, but it was Edward leaning against the kitchen entryway grinning like the Cheshire cat. I looked down at the floor and waited for a hole to appear and drop me through it. My face and chest grew hot with embarrassment. I couldn't even bring myself to look at him. I was standing here looking like a wannabe Hooters waitress.
"Sorry, I thought you were my mom. I really didn't think you would be coming." I cursed myself again internally for looking like this. The short shorts and tank top suddenly left me feeling overly exposed.
He chuckled and came over to the stove where he began stirring. "So she's not back yet, huh?"
"No."
He shook his head but, didn't say anything else. I excused myself and went to put on something a little less showy.
My mom never showed up. That would probably explain why Edward was hesitant to tell me that she had called and asked him to bring her a bottle of wine to go with dinner. Just when I thought that it was odd he was drinking wine he produced a six pack of beer. I knew where my mom was trying to get this going. I loved her, but I sure didn't like her right now.
I had suggested that we sit out on the patio and sit near the fire pit that never gets used to keep the chill off of us. It was either that or sitting staring at, or right beside, one another at the dining room table. My mother had taken the extension out so it only had four seats. The patio table was at least round with six chairs. Perfect for keeping distance but not facing each other straight on.
Once we finished dinner I poured myself a glass of wine and he continued drinking his beer. I'm sure that my mom wouldn't mind me having some. That is, after all, what she intended. We both turned and sat facing the fire.
"Nice night." The dinner conversation had been VERY light and he seemed to want to change that.
I didn't mind his attempt, a little liquid courage could always make me a better conversationalist.
"Sure is. I missed this, living in the city. I never seemed to be still long enough to enjoy anything."
"It's nice here. Very quiet at night."
The silence that followed seemed to put an exclamation point on his statement. I slid forward in my chair and laid my head back with my eyes closed. I heard him move and looked to see what he was doing. I watched him come and take the chair beside me. I wondered why, there wasn't anything wrong with his seat.
I turned my face forward and stared straight ahead. I didn't know what he was doing, but it was making me uncomfortable. I didn't want him to see me agitated by his proximity so I laid my head back and shut my eyes again. That's when I felt it. The lightest of touches, tracing the cut above my eye. There was some pain, but more than that there was a warmth that followed the trail of his fingers.
"I am really more sorry for that than you know." His voice sounded too tender.
My breath had caught in my throat and I couldn't swallow to speak. It only made it worse when he ran his fingers through the length of my hair that hung over the back of the chair. As soon as it was out I leaned forward in my chair. How could he not know I didn't want him to do that?
"Your hair is wavy?"
"Uh, yeah. A few years back it started growing out that way. I had always wanted curly hair, but now I wish it was just straight again because blow drying it that way takes forever. I have to use special shampoos and hair products now that I didn't have to use before. It's more trouble than it's worth." The words came out in a quick stream and it was obvious that I was nervous.
"It's beautiful." There was that tender crap again. I couldn't do it. I needed to get away.
I stood up and started gathering the plates from the table. I headed inside and started running water in the sink so I could wash the dishes. I could feel him watching me through the solid glass back door. After a minute he came inside.
"I always help your mom wash dishes and it wouldn't be right to make you do it now since you cooked."
Without looking at him I took my hands out of the soapy water and turned to start getting the leftovers put up. I made a plate for my mom on the VERY off chance that she had been held up somewhere. I heard a cabinet open just to my left and automatically turned to the sound. Pain shot down the side of my face and across the top of my head.
"Oh Jesus! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that!"
I stumbled sideways trying to get away from any other objects that might be waiting to make an impact. I automatically put my hand up to the cut and felt the blood start oozing out. I hadn't taken any medicine that day so the throbbing spiked with an intensity that made my knees weak enough that I sat in the floor.
"Are you okay?" He sounded like a kid that was about to get in trouble.
I needed a second, so I laid the rest of the way down. I was squeezing my eyes shut trying to wait for the pain to ease.
I could feel him pick me up and then he sat me on the island counter. I was in too much pain to fight him. I heard the water start and felt him tug at the hand that covered my eye.
"Let me see it. I might've busted your stitches." He had positioned himself between my knees and turned my face up to the light so he could see. I was so overwhelmed by the closeness that I held my breath. I hadn't had anyone this close in years and it was taking a toll on me now. I scooted as far back as possible.
"No, they didn't break, but there's some blood. Not much so, I'll go get a band-aid, where are they?"
"Uh, bathroom, top right drawer." I made myself respond, though it sounded breathless. Luckily he would just chalk it up to the pain. Once he was out of the room I slid off the counter and sat on a stool. I couldn't take it being that close to him again. I used the opportunity to catch my breath while I was alone. I could hear him making his way back towards the kitchen.
"Here, let me. " He tilted my head up and placed the band aid over my cut. The bleeding had pretty much stopped just as fast as it started. I thought he was finished, but he wiped a warm rag over the places that the blood had dripped on to my cheek. I opened my eyes, planning on taking the rag from him and doing the job myself.
His face was so close that I couldn't help but notice how easy it would have been to just tilt my face up a few degrees and reach his lips. I immediately felt ashamed. He had a girlfriend and I was poison for him. I shouldn't be having these feelings and he wasn't intentionally causing them. Being close was just old hat for us. I was sure he had fallen in to an old routine too and just didn't notice it.
He must have felt my distraction because he took a big step back. Without another word he walked back to the sink and started washing the dishes again. I went back to my room and found my bottle of ibuprofen and the glass of water beside my bed. I needed to be away from him for a minute to get myself together. I decided that I needed to act as normal as possible so that he wouldn't be completely disgusted by my flighty actions. Plus I know he felt bad about what happened, I could hear it in his voice.
I was leaning on the hope that he didn't notice what was going through my mind. If he knew that I was thinking about kisses and closeness he would bolt. He had done so much for my mom, and I didn't want to upset her by chasing him off.
I walked back in to the kitchen with my chin up and as genuine a smile as I could manage.
"I know I made you promise to stop trying to kill me, but I should have included all forms of physical abuse as well." I chuckled to ease any tensions he may have been holding on to.
"I really didn't mean to do that. I was trying to put away the dry dishes that were left in the drainer so I could have room." He sounded ashamed, and he shouldn't have. It wasn't his fault that my mother's house had some weird vendetta against me.
"I know. I'm just teasing." I could tell that he wasn't up for it and I didn't know what to say. Luckily he did.
"I hope so. I would really like it if we could be friends again. I've missed having you around to talk to, and I didn't realize how much until after this morning at the river. I know things didn't work out for us, but we used to be pretty good buddies. I would like that."
"I would really like that, too. "
We smiled at each other and I watched as lights from the driveway danced across his face. It was the first time I had really looked at him since I'd been back. His face had matured, and he had a shorter hair cut, which only enhanced his handsomeness. He was always boyishly cute, but this was different. He was a man now and fully looked the part. When his attention was pulled to the window I took stock of all six feet of him. He had put on some weight, but in a good way. He was no longer that skinny guy, but well formed lean muscle still made him appear just this side of thin.
I jumped at a sound and my observations were cut short at the sound of my mom coming in.
"I am so sorry honey, I didn't know that I was going to be that long. I hope you didn't go to too much trouble..."
Her sentence trailed off as she entered the kitchen and saw Edward still there.
"Oh, well, I wasn't expecting you to be here, Edward. I hope Bella didn't make you eat sandwiches."
"Yes you were Esme, and no, she didn't. She cooked a very nice dinner. I brought that wine you wanted." He cocked his eyebrow at my mom and almost dared her to deny what he was insinuating.
She went straight to the counter where her plate was sitting. She poured herself a glass of wine and eyed my face. No doubt she could see the heat in my cheeks. I prayed that she wouldn't bring it up. I met her eyes and she was grinning, so I gave her a quick shake of my head and hoped that she would take the hint. The tension in the room had grown, or at least mine had.
"Well, the dishes are all washed. I should be heading back out now. Got a early morning coming."
"Oh, don't rush out on account of me, Edward. I can go eat at the table if you kids wan to talk or something."
I rolled my eyes and turned my back to her. At the same time he just nodded his head and said, "Goodnight Esme."
He left and I heard the door shut when he was gone. I didn't have any chance of doing this calmly, and I don't know that she didn't deserve it. I whirled around ready to lay in to her, but she beat me to it.
"Shoot, I meant to give Edward his mail. Bella would you be a dear and take it to him?"
I couldn't stop myself from getting angry, "GIVE IT A REST!"
She tried to look at me as if she had no clue what I was talking about, "What do you mean?"
"Oh PLEASE. Don't even try to pull that crap with me. You know what. You have been doing everything you can to push us together since I found out he was here. You knew you weren't coming home, and you called him to make sure he would show up. How awful do you want to make me feel?"
"Awful? I thought you two had worked things out and were trying to be friends, Bella. I wasn't trying to do anything. I was planning on being here for dinner, but I ran in to an old friend and we had coffee."
"You can't lie your way out of this one. I know what you are doing and I want you to stop. Do you want him to get hurt again? Cause that's what will happen. I will find some way to make him miserable again, and I don't want to do that to him. He has a girlfriend and he is happy. LEAVE. IT. ALONE."
I turned and walked out of the room because I didn't want to say anything else. I was one wrong word away from all out screaming at her and I didn't want to do that. It would just add to the wrenching guilt I already had building up inside me. If I really wanted to look at it I would realize that I was angry at myself, but I wasn't sure for what. Since I didn't really want to look at it though, I decided to keep on blaming her.
I had to stop this. I couldn't let me do this to myself. I would be friends with him, but that's it, no more being alone with him. I could think up enough excuses for that to not happen again. I would have to tell Emmett I couldn't help him with work on the off chance that Edward would be there. It's not like I had to have a job right now anyway.
It was only eight o'clock, but I was suddenly exhausted. I turned the light off and climbed under my covers. I stared out through the window at the foot of my bed and noticed a light through the trees. The light turned off and I realized that it came from the exact spot the shop would be in.
