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Chapter Twenty-Two

The end of the week was quickly approaching, as was the first of the month. Rent was going to be due and I wasn't exactly sure how that would go down.

Hey, Edward. Wanna go hang out in the hammock again? Also, here's a check for rent.

No. That's...stupid. Tempting, but stupid.

I had started work on Monday with Esme, which was turning out to not be awkward at all. She was very professional and hardly ever brought up Edward...meaning she mentioned him at least three time a day, trying to elicit some sort of reaction from me. Esme didn't realize I was the queen of poker faces. I had to be.

The week passed slowly and I had to admit, I was disappointed Edward hadn't made any unexpected drop-ins. He had called Tuesday evening to ask how everything had gone at work. The call only lasted four minutes due to Emma screaming in the background, but those four minutes were enough to hold me over until I saw him again.

"Work's kind of crazy, but I'd like to see you soon."

I'd like to see him, too. So, despite the voice in my head telling me not to get too invested, I baked him some treats as an excuse to stop by Newton's on Thursday.

Because nothing said thank you quite like gluten-free sesame bars.

"Hi. I'm looking for Edward Cullen," I said to the female standing behind the customer service counter.

"Who are you?" She didn't even have the decency to not look upset.

"Bella Swan. He actually didn't know I'd be stopping by...um...I just-"

"One sec," she said before walking away.

A few minutes later, Edward made his way to the front of the store, customer service girl trailing behind him.

"Fancy seeing you here." Edward grinned. "I thought you were working today?" He bobbed his head towards the sliding doors and we walked outside.

"I am. I get an hour for lunch," I said, ignoring the glare of the female employee as we walked away. Instead, I thrust the container of sesame bars I had baked last night into his hands. "Here."

"What's this?" Edward asked, opening the container.

"Homemade honey and sesame seed...bar...things." Worst description ever. "They're really good." Ah, that was better.

Edward rubbed his eyebrow, momentarily dazing me with the movement of his fingers.

You know, the fingers that had been inside me four long days ago.

"Is there a reason behind this kind gesture?"

"Just to say thanks for getting me the job." And for the hammock time. But that went without saying.

"I didn't get you the job," he replied as he broke off a piece of the sesame bar and shoved it in his mouth. "That was all you."

"No, no. I know you put in a good word."

Edward eyed me and, with his mouth full, asked, "Do you expect me to eat this after all of that kryptonite baked in cookies nonsense?"

"You've already eaten half the container." I laughed and pointed at the sesame seeds that were sticking to the corner of his mouth.

"I guess I did already admit kryptonite wasn't my weakness." He struggled with putting the lid back on. "Just cute brunettes who bake sesame bars."

"Yeah..." I trailed off, trying and failing not to let my cheeks burn. "It's a gluten-free recipe."

"Good, good. That pesky gluten." He feigned annoyance and sighed. "These are really good. Thanks for the lunch."

"That's not all I brought you," I spoke as I pulled out my wallet. "Rent is due tomorrow, right? Friday?"

His face fell. "Oh. About that...yeah. Don't worry. Just give it to me next month or...something."

"But tomorrow is the first."

"You haven't even lived there for a month. So, just don't worry about it." Edward's smile was easy, but something was...off.

If it were anyone else renting the house, he would accept, and expect, the rent money. Without a doubt. Was he refusing the money because...because of what happened Sunday night? Some sort of...trade-off?

"Stop being weird and just take the money."

"I'm not being weird, okay? Your mom asked if I'd consider waiting on collecting rent. I said yeah. So, don't worry about it."

Renee did what?

And more importantly- why the hell was I so surprised?

I looked down at the pavement. "When did she talk to you?"

"The night you and I..." He stopped. "Sunday night, when I stopped by your house. It was while you were at the store."

Shaking my head, I pathetically asked, "How...how could you agree to that?"

"Bella. It's okay. I know you two just moved here and...she said she just started working at the garden center." And then he shrugged. "I don't mind helping out."

I couldn't let Renee take advantage of him. She'd done this before, asking for leniency; looking for hand-outs.

I felt sick.

"Edward?" My tone was soft.

"What?" He sounded slightly irritated. "I don't need the money. Just let me help out, okay?" Edward's eyes softened and he brought a hand to the back of my neck. "I need to get back to work. Thanks for the treats. It was sweet of you."

"Yeah."

"Bella? Seriously, don't worry about it okay? Really."

I didn't sleep at all that night.

A/N: Gluten isn't as pesky as Renee. I know everyone will agree with me on that!