Disclaimer: I own nothing...how very sad...

CHAPTER 14: SHOW OFF YOUR BUNS

BPOV

As soon as I walk in the door, I start pulling things from the cabinets to cook with; flour, baking soda, sugar, and all the other things I, no we, would need. I turned around with my arms full to see Edward smiling at me and leaning against the opposite cupboards.

"Some help you are," I say, peeking out above the large bag of brown sugar.

"I didn't want to get in your way," he said, now taking some things out of my arms and placing them on the table. "What else do you need?"

I thought for a moment before a great idea popped into my head. "Well, I'm going to need you to put on a cooking apron."

"What?" he said. He must think he misheard me. I went to a drawer near the oven and pulled out the first apron I found. It must've been a joke from one of my dad's friends; it was one of those aprons that had a muscular male body on the front shirtless.

"Here you go!" I said, handing it to him and watching as he unfolded it. His eyes widened at the sight of it.

"Bella, you must be kidding me," he said, holding it to his chest. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't worry, I'm wearing one too!" I said, holding up the next one in the drawer. He started laughing and I looked down to read what it said:

Barbecue Naked-Show Off Your Buns

Okay, I hope my dad was able to part with this after today.

I started to tie it on, noticing that Edward was still having trouble trying to control his laughter. I didn't mind too much though, his laugh was mesmerizing. It made me want to laugh; even though part of me wanted to be mad at him for thinking it was this funny. I couldn't help but laugh though as soon as he started to put the apron I had given him over his head.

"You can't say anything to anyone about this apron," he said sternly.

"Why do you care so much about wearing a silly apron?" I replied. Sometimes I think he takes himself too seriously.

"I don't, I just…" he trails off, obviously not sure what else to say.

"So are you ready for the best cookies ever?!" I said, trying to change the subject for him.

"Did I ever have a choice?" he said, moving to my side.

"Why don't you mix the flour, baking soda, and a little salt in this bowl?" I said, moving a glass bowl towards him. "I'm gonna get the oven and baking sheets ready."

He nodded at me as I moved to set the oven. I set the temperature and move to get the cookie sheets out when I heard Edward coughing harshly. I turned to see the cause of the cough. Edward must've opened the flour too roughly, as it was now covering his shoulders, face, and hair in a light dusting.

I couldn't control myself; I fell on the floor, the laughter shaking my body too hard. I tried to look away from him, but it was too funny to resist and I kept bringing my eyes back to him.

I sat up, trying to wipe the escaping tears from my eyes. When I opened them, Edward was kneeling in front of me, his eyes and mouth now wiped clean by his hand. Looking at his hands covered in flour and his crooked grin I stopped laughing, knowing what he was planning on doing next.

"Edward Cullen, don't you even think about it," I say, trying to sound very stern.

"Do what?" he says. "This?" I feel the flour from his hand run from my left ear, across my nose, and down my cheek.

"Edward!" I scream, almost shocked at what he did.

"Or is this what you meant?" he said, taking his other hand and raking it through my hair. It felt amazing, except I knew now how ridiculous I looked.

"I can't believe you just did that!" I said, pushing him away while trying to keep away from the flour on his body.

He stood up, leaving a hand out for me to take, which I accepted. I smiled at him, but the smile I received in return was still mischievous.

"What?" I say, looking up at his flour-covered face. Even then, I have to admit he was still gorgeous. No wonder he could have as many girls as he wanted.

"Oh nothing," he said. Suddenly he brought his head down closer to me, his green eyes now level with mine. I was caught off guard, just staring at him until he lifted his hands into his hair and shook out the flour all over me.

My expression must've been priceless, because Edward's laugh was even louder than before.

"Let's get these cookies done before I throw an egg at you," I say with more anger in my voice than intended.

He stopped laughing and his face became serious. "Bella, you aren't mad at me are you? I thought we were just having fun," he said, placing a hand on my forearm.

I sighed. "No, I'm not mad," I continued, "as long as you let me take a picture of us like this!"

"Fine, but only one, and it can never be added to Alice's picture collection of shame!" he said.

I rushed up to my room and grabbed my digital camera. Placing it on the counter, I set the timer for one minute.

"Okay," I said, "we have to strike a pose."

Before I knew what he was doing, Edward had picked me up into his arms; one supporting my back and the other under my knees. I was surprised at how easily he picked me up.

"Aren't I killing you?" I said, shifting against his chest.

"You must be kidding. You're tiny," he replied.

We became silent for a moment, looking at each other before we broke out in laughter. The boy who takes himself so seriously is covered in flour in a ridiculous apron. Maybe he was different around me.

Before we could both stop laughing and looking at each other I saw the camera flash.

"Did you want to take another one?" he said, looking at me. "We weren't looking at the camera."

"No," I said, "I think whatever it took will be fine. No one else is seeing it but me remember?"

"I don't get to see it?" he said, pouting as he let me down.

"Maybe, if it's good," I said, turning off my camera. "Now let's finish baking so I can clean this up."

We cooked the rest of the time, while talking about movies and music. By the time we put the cookies into the oven, I felt like I knew him so much better. He didn't like all the new movies that came out; the romantic comedies with utterly ridiculous plots, or the action movies that were nothing more than special effects show. His favorites seemed to be older movies, classic comedies and dramas, with a few actions thrown in. His music tastes were like his taste in movies; he liked the classics, which really came as a shock.

"So you don't appreciate the local hip hop stations?" I said.

"Will I listen to it, yes," he said helping me put the batter onto the cookie sheets. "But I don't really enjoy it as much as I do other things."

"Well aren't you surprising" I say, handing him one of the spoons with batter still on it.

"I find myself saying the same thing about you," he said, taking the spoon into his mouth.

I put the cookies into the oven, setting the timer and turning back to him. "Do you mind if I take a shower while they bake?" I said. I knew that most girls wouldn't trust Edward or any boy in their house while they showered, but something told me I could trust him.

"Sure," he said, sitting down at the table with the cookie spoon still in his hand, "I'll be here when you get out."

I smiled and hurried up the stairs, wanting to get back to him. I know I had been warned, but I was glad to have him around.