SM Owns.

NOT BETA'D

Word Prompt: Tepid


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Bella

Three days.

Three days Edward has been either calling me before going to sleep or texting me throughout the day... or both.

He's persistent. Confidant. Smug.

There's an aura around him. And I don't even believe in that crap.

But it's there. All around him, like a friggin' gravitational pull... even through the phone.

And damn, it's hot.

And it's not cocky. No. There's not one hint of snobbish doucheness.

He's genuine.

And the leg.

I thought I would have a hard time finding someone with a disability sexy. But he is.

And I have absolutely NO problem with him.

He's gorgeous. Inside and out. And I have no idea why he would want someone like me.

So ordinary.

So plain.

So not-doing-anything-special-in-her-life.

"Hey! Bella... yoohoo!" Rose snaps her fingers in front of my face, waking me from my daze.

Yup. I'm daydreaming about a boy... at work.

"Sorry, Rose. It's just one of those days," I shrug apologetically, quickly wiping a table down that I'd stopped doing midway as I'd thought of bronze hair and lopsided grins.

"Yeah," she snorts, walking passed me to flip the sign over to "closed". "One of those days, huh? That hottie fucking you stupid yet?"

"Rose!" I hiss. She's so crass, but I love her.

"What? W're closed, there's no one here. You can be honest, and I can be blunt." She stands in front of me with her arms folded. She arches her perfectly sculpted brow at me.

I sigh. "It's not like that, Rose." I pull at the strings of my apron and throw it on the counter. I wash my hands with tepid water as I speak over my shoulder. "We just met."

"Whatever. That doesn't mean shit these days."

"He's a gentleman."

"He's a guy. I bet he's thinking about it. And you should be too, you know. He's stupid hot."

I dry my hands and lean on the counter watching her cash out the register.

"I have nothing to offer him, Rose. He's successful, he's been around the world... he's like this golden boy. And I'm just me, you know? No career, no prospects."

The register slams shut, making me snap my head in her direction. She looks kinda mad. She always looks mad, but now especially... she looks madder.

"Stop it, Bella. Stop talking like that. I'm sick of it. You are a beautiful, smart, college graduate. You're just a little stuck. Lots of people go through that. Shit, I went to law school. Look what it got me. I said 'fuck it' and left to open a cafe. My dream. My real dream... not my daddy's dream. Maybe this guy's a good thing for you. Lord knows you need a swift kick in the ass. Maybe he'll do that for you," she finishes with a little suggestive wiggle of her brows.

"Ugh. Rose..."

"I know what I'm saying. Now get outta here and call your boy."

I roll my eyes but do as she says, anxious to get home and wait for his call.

Before I walk out, I check said phone. There's a text. I can't control the stupid grin on my face.

Be ready tomorrow after your shift. Bring comfortable clothes. ;) -E

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A/N: What do we think of Rose? Quite astute, no?

So, we'll have a few makeup updates tomorrow since Sundays there are no witfits. That way we'll all be caught up, k k? ;) Goodnight everyone! And thank you so much for all your wonderful reviews.

BTW, Teacher of the Year won a spot for the Fic of the Week over at The Lemonade Stand. Check out the review probably Monday! And don't forget to make your way over to the FicThisGif Anon Contest, read the awesome entries and VOTE for your favorite! Mine is in there somewhere! Can you guess which one?