This is Stephenie Meyer's sparkling toys; I just watch them shine in the sun.
I feel so honored with all your thoughtful comments to my story. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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Day 22:
Tuesday
Bella
"My lips are swollen," Bella said quietly, while trying to suppress her smile. Gently, she dabbed her mouth with the tips of her fingers.
Edward stood next to her emptying the dishwasher. "I think I know the reason why." He smirked.
Bella's cheeks flamed, when thinking about last night. There was a reason why her lips were slightly sore. Making out with Edward had been nothing short of magnificent. The scene had still been innocent. No clothes had been removed and hardly any touching had occurred, though they were in bed and both were adults.
They were equally serious when agreeing to go slow, but that didn't mean that they couldn't kiss though.
"I was thinking," Edward hedged when closing the dishwasher. "That we could go out tonight? There's an artist I want to go see and she's playing in a bar downtown. Would you want to go with me?"
Bella's heart did a double beat at the thought of something that resembled a date. "It sounds nice." She frowned. "But I think I need to go shopping first. I can't keep wearing your sisters' hand-me-downs. The only thing I bought since the fire is underwear."
Edward smiled warmly, while hooking his arms around her waist. "As your boss, I suggest that you take a few hours off this afternoon to go shopping while downing a gallon of Iced Coffee."
"I do not drink that many Iced Coffees."
"You want to bet?" Edward dared, licking his lower lip. "That's beside the point. Do you have money to buy clothes?"
"I have some my dad gave me, but I think it will be awhile until I see anything from the insurance company. However, I do get paid at the end of the month." Bella's eyes turned a bit sad. The fire was far from forgotten, but everyday it seemed a little easier not to think about it. Besides, all that was going on with Edward was a sufficient distraction.
"Take my credit card," Edward offered.
"I can't do that. First, you're boss, then you became my landlord, and what now, you want to be my sugar daddy, too?" Bella's voice was entirely too sweet when she hugged him back.
Edward rolled his eyes, before kissing her softly. "I just want you to feel how much I treasure having you here. If you change your mind, the offer still stands."
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The bar was crowded, but not too much. Bella sat down on the barstool, wearing her new shirt, new jeans and new Converse. From the look of the place, it was a real music hangout, offering live performances every night of the week. From afar, she watched Edward go through a few meet and greets ignoring women, who kept batting their lashes at him, before ordering their drinks.
"You'll like her," Edward said, as he sat down handing Bella a beer. She was intently watching a few people rigging up their equipment on the small stage.
"She's so young," Bella wasn't able to keep her bewilderment out of her voice.
"It's the music industry, baby. They start out before they are out of their diapers. Though, I think she's fifteen. Her name is Kim Maddi. Just wait and you shall see."
Taking a swig of her beer, Bella realized the reason why they were here. "Do you do this a lot? I mean go out and listen to artists like this?"
Edward smirked at her. "Oh honey, I make music for a living. I need to keep my finger on the pulse. So yes, I normally go out to concerts a couple of times a week."
"Sometimes, you sound so gay." Bella gasped and put her hand to her mouth when she realized what she had just said. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to insult you or go all stereotypical." She bit her lip as her comeback tumbled from her lips. Were they ready for that kind of joking? Sure, down the road that would probably be fine, but now, so soon?
Edward's lips twitched, before stretching into a grin. "It's fine, Bella. I am gay, well, at least until I met you." He cocked a brow, while taking a swig of his beer.
Bella took a deep breath. She was glad that the crisis was clearly averted and she hadn't ruffled any feathers. "I was thinking. Perhaps, the reason you feel so confused is that you're not actually gay, but a bisexual tipping the scale with ninety percent interest in men compared to a measly ten percent in women?"
Edward narrowed his eyes at Bella. "I think you're on to something. Though, I feel it's more like ninety-nine opposed to one percent." Edward hesitated, while his eyes turning wary. "Is that a problem for you?"
Bella shook her head. "Edward, I knew and I still know what we are getting ourselves into. It's not like you're pulling the wool over my eyes because we're honest and someday, which is definitely not today, this will all make sense."
Edward stared at her for several long minutes with soft and adoring eyes almost making Bella feel like she hit a fever pitch. "I don't know what I would do without you. It means so much that we can always talk to each other like this."
Bella reached across the table to grasp his hand. "Well, you wouldn't be having a problem without me and I'm feeling lucky that you even consider being with me."
Edward's face cracked into a cheeky grin. "You're such a smart mouth sometimes. Listen up. Kim's about to start."
The noise quieted down as the young girl cleared her throat claiming attention from the small stage. "Thank you all for showing up. I promise to keep the talking to a minimum and the singing to a max. Here's Uninvited by Alanis Morissette."
Bella was taken aback by the song choice and wondered if the intense lyric was perhaps too heavy for someone so young.
Looking like she belonged nowhere else but on that stage, the raven haired girl curled her fingers around the microphone and closed her eyes, while tuning into the opening cords coming from one of the two guitar players.
Bella was proven wrong. Whatever song Kim Maddi was indulging in or blessing the audience with wasn't too big for her. Instead, she brought her heart and soul to the very edge of the stage. She seemed almost fearless about doing it.
"So what do you think?" Edward had changed position to stand behind Bella, while having his hand resting on her hip.
"I think she's absolutely fascinating," Bella murmured, like her breath had been stolen from her.
"I agree," Edward whispered. "You take such pride in the chances you've taken lately, so now I'm going to take a chance. I've been watching this girl for a year now. I think the time has come to sign on another artist. I want to learn what this girl can do in the right forum given the place to grow."
Bella stood by Edward's side as he introduced himself to the girl and her father. Within ten minutes, they set up a meeting.
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I am giving you this chapter a bit early today, I hope you don't mind.
Any thoughts?
Big hugs for Chartwilightmom and Dazzled Eyes22 for helping me with this story.
See you tomorrow.
