39
The Hermit
Bella waits until she's successfully worked three full shifts at The Bakery before she broaches the subject. "Angela was telling me about this twenty-four-hour diner," she hedges. "It's clear across town and apparently the go-to place for drunk people after a night out."
Edward is running behind schedule, so he doesn't look up from his work of combining the ingredients for a batch of his Colossal Chocolate Chip Cookies that are the special of the day. "Yeah, I remember Rose and Emmett talking about it a couple of times. Famous Amos, right?"
"Yep."
"They said it was kind of a dive."
Bella shuts the oven and approaches him. She pops a couple of chocolate chips in her mouth and hums. "I was thinking I could take you out for once. It's nothing fancy, but it would be a nice change from the usual take-out and dancing in the living room. Not that those nights aren't fun."
Edward pauses. "Sugar, are you asking me out on a date?"
Bella's cheeks warm, and she nods. "Yeah. I mean. We'll have to go at night maybe for a really late dinner or even dessert. The place shouldn't be that busy on a Wednesday night. I think it would be a good time to test the waters."
Edward's eyes become little slits. "But today is Wednesday."
Bella nods again.
"Well, damn, Sugar. This is all very last minute." He grins. "You're giving me no time to prepare."
Bella breaks The Bakery kitchen rules and kisses him softly before pulling away.
Edward bounces from one foot to the other. "For real though. What am I going to wear? How will I do my hair?"
Bella giggles. "I suggest you dress in something simple that will be easy for me to get you out of at the end of our date." She wags her eyebrows.
"Who said I'm going to put out?" Edward argues.
"Psh. Please. I'm going to woo you so hard you'll be begging for it."
"You're on, Sugar."
o.O. .o.O.o
Just as Bella predicted and secretly hoped the diner is mostly deserted.
They eat greasy burgers and soggy french fries and order dessert.
"This isn't fair." Edward whines.
Bella plays innocent and looks up at him through her lashes. "What?"
He leans across the table. "You. Sucking that straw—" The waitress stops by to check on them, and Edward waits for her to be out of earshot to continue. "—sucking that straw and making me wish it was something else you had your lips wrapped around."
Bella laughs. "I brought you out on a date. You'll be thanking me, not the other way around."
Edward offers her the last bite of his ice cream. "You do realize you sound like a fuck boy, right?"
Bella shrugs and stirs her milkshake. "I win. You're totally going to put out when we get home."
"Sugar, I don't have to be wined and dined in order to make love to you. The benefit of all this is that I got a banana split first."
Bella chuckles and flags down their waitress for the check.
Anxiety has been coursing through her veins and settling at the base of her neck since they left the house, but it's not entirely unbearable. Bella knows that if she doesn't push herself a little more each time, she'll never be able to walk into the hospital and be there for Rose when she goes into labor. She really wants to be able to surprise Rose.
When Edward parks in front of their house, Bella stops him before he can get out of the car. "This is my date, remember?" She makes a big show of opening his door for him and leading him up the walkway. They laugh so hard their sides ache by the time they make it to the front door.
"Let me guess." Edward smirks. "You're going to want a proper kiss goodnight."
"Duh."
With a sigh, Edward gives Bella exactly what she wants, feigning first date jitters and thanking her for a good time before kissing her once on the corner of her mouth. "My parents won't be home until late," he jokes. "Would you like to come inside?"
Bella plays along with her silly boyfriend. "I suppose. I know you would like that too."
He looks confused. "Like what too?"
Bella gives him what she hopes is a seductive look. "Come inside."
Edward laughs. "When did you become so perverted and crude?"
"What can I say? You bring out the best in me."
o.O. .o.O.o
"So, how are things out in Texas? Have you traded in your pumps for a pair of cowboy boots yet?" Bella asks.
She and Alice have been trying to reconnect, so they're having their first of what will hopefully be many Skype dates.
"No. I practically live in my flip flops. Jasper has taken his dad's place in the family business despite Maria's protests," Alice sighs. "After Peter's accident, she isn't too keen on having him behind the wheel, you know?"
Bella nods.
"I'm starting to get stir crazy since Lotz decided to let me go instead of keeping me on remotely. Maria went back to work a few days ago."
"That sucks. I'd invite you to come out and visit, but I'm so busy with The Bakery and helping Rose prepare for the baby."
Alice smiles.
"No worries, Bells. Your life is so full now."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I don't miss you."
"I miss you too, and I wish I could come out there, but I understand that you're busy. Besides, I've been applying to a few places in town. I'm not in a hurry, so I get to be picky, but I'd like to find something."
Bella is catching her sister up on how things have been going on her end when Edward bursts through the front door and calls out for her.
"In the living room."
Edwards still holds a grudge against Alice and Jasper for how everything went down but still manages to give a tight smile and a small wave toward the computer before turning to Bella. "We're just waiting on you, Sugar. I've been sent to warn you that if Kat doesn't get a caramel milkshake soon, we're all going to pay."
Bella laughs and starts to wrap up her conversation with Alice.
"I'm really glad we could talk today, Bells. I know things are different now, but I'm glad you're letting me back in."
"You were never out, Ali. I had to work through things in my own way."
Alice has only gotten the Cliff Notes of Bella's struggle because she doesn't see the point in making her sister feel guilty. It's done, and Bella is doing good.
They promise to try to keep in touch as often as possible but know that once the baby gets here, Bella's time will be dedicated to her.
Edward is waiting for Bella by the door and helps her into a light sweater.
"Good talk?"
"Yeah, it was nice to catch up. Things are different now, and our priorities have shifted, so we'll have some growing pains to work through."
Edward's smile is tight.
"I know you're still upset with them but it's over, Honey. I'm moving on. Alice and Jasper are moving on. You should too."
"I'll try, Sugar."
The rest of the night is spent down at Famous Amos with Rose, Irina, and Esme.
Bella will always miss having Alice just a short drive away, but she needs to move on with her life and focus on the here and now—being surrounded by people she loves.
