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Chapter Nineteen

Sunday evenings were complete crap. There was nothing good on TV, the butternut squash and apple casserole I tried to bake turned out like shit, and Renee was busy working her way through her second bottle of wine.

My stomach growled, and I cursed the casserole dish soaking in the sink.

"We don't have any milk," I commented out loud to anyone who would listen.

The casserole dish laughed at me.

"Then go to the store," Renee said brilliantly, not bothering to look up from her magazine.

Glancing at the clock on the microwave, I realized it was almost eight. The grocery store in town was either already closed or would be be closing soon, so I grabbed the keys and drove up the street. Pathetic how happy I was just to escape for a while.

The grocery store wasn't closed, but it was practically empty, so I meandered my way through each aisle despite the fact I was only there for one thing. I was in the middle of educating myself on razors when I heard a voice behind me.

"Chick razors suck. You'd be better off buying that Gillette razor."

I jumped. "Oh! I thought I was the only one in here," I spit out lamely. The guy laughed. And then I realized I was an idiot. "No, I didn't mean I thought I was the only one in the store. Obviously. I don't know what I meant. Never mind."

"It's cool. Did you need help finding anything?"

Setting the razors back on the shelf, I admitted I had only came to buy milk.

"You're in the wrong aisle." The clerk smiled.

"Yes." I looked around, somewhat uncomfortable at the one-on-one time this clerk was giving me. "Thank you."

"I'm Ben. I can check you out whenever you're ready."

"Okay. Thanks, Ben." He walked away, leaving me be to peruse the rest of the aisles in peace.

When I reached the baking aisle, I came to the conclusion that I would bake Edward some goodies for getting me a job. It was the very least I could do. The only problem was that I wasn't sure what he liked, so I figured I could bake him some homemade granola bars as an inside joke.

I gathered everything I needed and set it all on the conveyer belt. Ben, the clerk, swiped everything a little slower than necessary.

"Paper or plastic?"

"Neither," I said, staring off at nothing.

"Um..."

"Oh. Here." I thrust a linen bag at him. "Yeah. My mom is big into all that...stuff."

"That's pretty cool," he mentioned as he loaded the bag with my groceries.

I paid, said goodbye and ignored the gas light in the car because honestly, I was too lazy to fill up the car.

Pulling into the driveway, I noticed a familiar car parked next to the curb. And then I saw Edward form standing under the porch light talking to Renee. Fumbling to exit the car, I grabbed the linen bag of groceries and hesitantly walked towards Edward.

His eyes lit up when he saw me, and it hurt me to look at him without allowing mine to light up as well.

"Hi. Oh, here. Let me get that for you," he offered, reaching for the bag.

Renee looked between the two of us, and I was suddenly unsure of how to act around him. She didn't know I had hung out with him a few times, and she certainly didn't know we had kissed.

So, I guarded that sack of groceries as if my life depended on it because hell if I was going to let Edward be chivalrous and give Renee something to be suspicious about.

"That's okay. I got it," I said flatly, noticing the way his forehead creased with confusion. "What brings you here?"

"Right. Um." Edward robotically turned and gave Renee a small smile. "I was just coming by to see how you two were settling in. And it looks like y'all are doing just fine. So."

"That was very nice of you. Wasn't that nice of him, Bella?" Renee slurred. And then patted his arm. No. She practically stroked it.

"Yes. That was very nice of you, Edward."

His eyes burned into mine, and I wanted to look away. I wanted to look away and not force him to be subjected to an awkward arm stroke.

"I guess I'll be going now." Edward started walking away from us, and made it halfway through the yard when he turned around. "Unless there is something you need help with? Since I'm already here. I can help you with whatever."

Edward wanted to stay. He was looking for some reason to stay. And I'd take the bait.

I'd always take the bait.

"Oh, that's okay. I think-"

"Actually!" I spoke up, loudly, interrupting Renee. "The hammocks."

Renee scratched her head. "The hammocks?"

"Yes. I don't think I did a good job at putting them together the other day. Maybe you could take a look?"

"Definitely!" Edward said a little too enthusiastically. I had to fight back the laughter. "Yeah. Since I'm already here," he repeated, sounding less enthused this time.

"I'll go put the groceries inside and meet you out back in a few."

"Okay. I guess that's a good idea." Renee shook her head, probably confused as to why her daughter and landlord were going to work on hammocks this time of night. "I'm going to shower and sleep. Lock up, will ya?"

"Yeah. Of course."

Edward cleared his throat and mouthed sorry before walking around the side of the house.

As if he'd ever have to apologize to me.

A/N: Update later this evening and it will be worth the wait ;) Thanks thanks.