Chapter 53

Bella

"Are you and… you know, the caviar man… still in touch?" Rose exercises her diplomatic skills.

"We are, although for the past week not as much as we used to. He`s working long hours and I`ve been hanging on the phone with my parents and with solicitors."

"Is it about Grandpa`s farm?"

"Yes," I tell her. "For the first time I can feel it, Rose; I can see myself living there, growing apple and cherry trees, all sorts of berries; making jams and juices, and living a sweet, simple life, you know? And it isn`t far from the city, I`d be able to commute very easily and quickly. My caviar man had better be a nature lover if we want something to happen between us, and given that you don`t want to even tell me his name; I can`t picture him there at the moment," I give out.

"Honey, I`ll tell you honestly that I was softening and wanted to bypass the agreement that I have with Emmett, but," she says, rolling her eyes, "let`s say that new circumstances arose, and I can`t. Believe me, you`ll be glad I didn`t."

"You are evil, and it appears that you and Emmett are worthy of each other," I laugh.

"Oh, speaking of," she checks her watch, "I need to go, he`s waiting for me."

"You`re impossible."

"I think I`m falling for him, Bella," she adds shyly, with emotion in her voice.

Gee, talk about disarming abilities!

"Oh, Rosie, that`s so sweet. Tell you what, I`m taking some time off to go see the farm, talk to people, consider the possibilities and such, but when I get back, I`m going to have you and Emmett over for dinner at my place. And maybe his best friend would like to join us, too?"

"You don`t want to meet him on your own for the first time?"

"How about a quick snack together, to break the ice, and then we separate?"

"Great idea! One more question, will you be back for Alice and Jasper`s party?"

"Oops, I forgot. I`ll do my best, but I can`t promise I`ll make it."

"Do whatever you can, Alice is counting on you. And you never know who you might meet there."

"Who? Edward Cullen will be there, that`s who," I try to keep the tone of my voice casual. I can`t tell Rose that his handsome face keeps popping into my mind at least a few times a day…