AN: It is slow going, but a little every day goes a long way. God, I miss the days where I could type out thousands of words in one sitting. Thank you for your patience.
Enjoy!
Chapter 10
'Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me, "don't lie"
You work at a smile, and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down, and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day
Daniel Powter
It takes a long time for me to fall asleep, my brain on constant repeat as it meticulously analyses every single moment I spent with Edward. Every word, reaction, and touch swirls in my head, mocking me, keeping sleep at bay. My emotions are all over the place and the small amounts of sleep that I do manage throughout the night are both restless and uncomfortable. When my alarm goes off at around 4 AM for my early morning shift, I feel like I've spent the night in a boxing ring with some gigantic Swede named Hilda. Every single muscle in my body screams out in exhaustion, and I can already feel the beginnings of a massive headache building just below the surface. To top it all off, I hear the distinct sound of rain hammering violently against my small roof. Releasing a loud groan, I bury my head beneath a pillow when it dawns on me exactly where my truck is.
Fuck my life.
Although I don't usually drive into work, the lack of choice is the last thing I need this morning. For most people, this would be the time they call in sick to work, however, as the owner of a small local café with minimal employees, that isn't an option. Going against every cell in my body, I force myself to climb down the narrow stairs, allowing my body to go on autopilot as I reluctantly go through the motions of my regular morning routine.
When I eventually step through the back door at work, I'm drenched to the core and in a crappy mood. Things get a little better once I've practically ingested two strong cups of coffee and begun going through the motions of rolling out baked goods like there's no tomorrow. Getting the café and a few morning deliveries ready keep me busy and make the time fly by, however, instead of my usual and almost meditative state, it's clear that my brain is still struggling to process Edward's little bombshell.
Friends…
What kind of friends hold hands the way we did? Or act all jealous and protective?
Had I simply imagined the simmering connection between us?
…
Friends?!
Lost in my annoyance, I don't even notice the locked back door open.
"You've been busy."
A shock resembling an extremely high voltage of electricity jolts through me, causing every single inch of me to startle uncontrollably. The large measuring tin, filled to the brim with sugar flies to the sky, its contents pouring out, covering me in a sweet and light layer of pearly white. The tin crashes onto the floor next to me, the noise of it spinning echoing through the room for a moment before it finally goes still. Taking a shallow breath, I feel the sweet taste immediately hit my tongue. Moving slowly, I blindly reach out to grab the kitchen towel I know is laying on the bench in front of me. Using it to wipe away some of the sugar from my eyes, I'm finally able to open them.
Angela's dark eyes are wide with shock behind her thick-rimmed glasses; however, I can also see that she's inches away from absolutely losing it. Glancing down at yet another one of the homemade creations she's wearing, I roll my eyes at the irony.
The Best Things in Life are SWEET.
"Well, I think I've had enough sweetness to last a lifetime," I deadpan, and Angela immediately howls out with laughter.
Curling the towel in my hands into a ball I throw it towards her face, unable to hold back a small laugh myself. Shaking my body, ever so slightly, I hear the soft sound of sugar sprinkling onto the floor.
God, it's everywhere.
"Clean this up," I order trying to make my voice sound stern, but Angela is too busy holding her stomach and wiping her eyes as she tries to gain control of her uncontrollable laughter.
Walking as carefully as I can, I make my way to the employee bathroom, thanking my brilliant contractor that insisted I invest in a small shower just in case. Finding the old duffle bag I always keep stashed at the bakery in case of an emergency, I find a simple change of clothes and some shower products. Throwing a glance at the mirror, I shake my head and chuckle at the sticky, white mess I have covering me from top to toe.
Christ, this is going to be a nightmare to get out of my hair.
§§§
When I finally feel clean enough to return to the kitchen, I hear that Angela has cranked up the music and is busy getting the café ready to open. Glancing at the time, I see that Taylor, our delivery guy and part time employee, must be just around the corner so I quickly rush to make sure everything is packed and ready to be sent off. The kitchen is clean with not a grain of sugar in sight, and the dough I was making before my little mishap is complete and is currently resting.
Thank God for Angela.
As usual, Taylor arrives on the dot with a wide smile and bright mood. He efficiently carries everything out to his van and gets going. Finally able to take a small break, I gently rub my temples, feeling the headache begin to build once more.
"Are you okay?"
For the second time today, Angela takes me by surprise, however this time I'm not carrying something that can spill all over me.
"Wow, you are jumpy this morning."
"I didn't get much sleep last night," I sigh.
Angela softly touches my shoulder, her expression portraying concern.
"Do you need to take a sick day?"
"It's just a headache, that's all," I try to brush it off, and am about to get back to work, when my wonderful and compassionate colleague puts her foot down.
"Come on, we have about half an hour until we open and everything's ready. Why don't we get a bite to eat and sit down for a bit?"
Knowing that it's no use to argue with her, I allow myself to be led by the shoulders and waited upon like some invalid. Angela directs me to one of the soft and comfortable booths, giving me a moment to relax while she gets some food and beverages ready. Although I really don't feel hungry, I force myself to eat, knowing that I need the sustenance. Angela enjoys a freshly baked breakfast muffin with her tea.
"So, why the lack of sleep?"
I sigh, considering my answer for a moment.
"I spent some time with Edward over at Cullen Ciders yesterday," I begin, my lips automatically curling into a smile as I watch Angela's dark-brown eyes widen and light up with excitement.
Giddiness radiates from her in waves, but she doesn't say anything, patiently waiting for me to continue.
"It was wonderful, Angela," I sigh, a weight immediately lifting off my shoulders just from admitting as much.
"We talked and joked around with one another," I take a breath.
"It felt natural and really nice."
Angela reaches over and gives my arm a small squeeze. Averting my gaze, I focus my attention on the pitch-black liquid of my third cup of coffee as I lock onto what's been bothering me.
"After he drove me home though, he gave me this hug and thanked me for being such a 'great friend'."
Angela's dark eyebrows pinch together, her expression one of pure distaste. Before she has a chance to say anything, I bare my soul to her.
"I swear, Ange, the way he was acting throughout the day-," my voice breaks, the hurt and disappointment finally crawling to the surface.
"I really thought there might be something between us, but then-."
She grabs my hand this time, squeezing it tightly.
"Isabella Swan, you are not giving up on Edward Cullen just yet."
I shoot her a look.
Had she not been listening?
He literally informed me in no uncertain terms that he wasn't interested in anything other than a friendship.
"Bells, maybe he got a little spooked and misspoke? Who cares? Boys can be a little clueless sometimes and he might just need some incentive," her dark eyes flare with urgency and releases a sharp laugh.
"After years of keeping your distance like some scared little mouse, you've finally opened yourself up enough to actually talk to the guy, and now you're telling me that you spent an entire day with him?!" she shrieks.
"Afternoon."
"Fiddlesticks."
I can't help but smile at her choice of words.
"Bella, this is fantastic news! I saw you guys dancing together at the Ball, but I had no idea you agreed to meet the day after."
She practically vibrates with excitement, making me feel the need to clarify a few things.
"It wasn't a date, Angela, we met to work-."
Angela waves a hand to cut me off, clearly not interested in the details.
"That doesn't matter, Bella."
How doesn't it matter?
I feel clueless, but luckily Angela soon explains her thoughts.
"What you want is to establish a relationship with him and then slowly reel him in," Angela appears to be lost in her little plan, so instead I bite my lip and simply listen.
"Your goal has to be to get to know him better, and for him to really get to know you. We just need to work with what we have, Hun. Be that business propositions? Friendship? Hell, if he's handy, maybe we can get one of fridges in the back to malfunction. Be that what it may. Whatever we can use to give you guys more time to get to know one another, the better!"
I appreciate her enthusiasm and her infallible belief that there really might be something between Edward and me.
Nibbling on my bottom lip for a moment, I seriously consider telling her about the night where he randomly showed up at my door, drunk out of his mind…that night he kissed me. Instead, I decide on a safer topic and begin to fill her in on the upcoming photo-shoot and future business venture with the Cullens. When I finish, all I find is encouragement and support.
"I have no idea what this will mean for us long term, but I do know I'll need you to take the lead here at the café while I help get everything organized for the photo-shoot."
"Bella, the café will be fine. If need be, I'll ask Taylor to grab a few extra shifts and have Ben do some of the deliveries. I am a little concerned about you, though. Are you sure you're up for working that closely with Alice again? She drove us all a little bonkers at the Farmer's Ball."
I purse my lips and sigh.
"I know. We talked it out yesterday and set a few ground rules, so think it'll be okay," I pause. I wish I was more confident about this.
"Besides, what's the worst she can do?"
§§§
"You cannot be serious?!" I exclaim, trying desperately to maintain my cool when everything inside of me is threatening to explode.
Alice's grey-green eyes are blank, displaying no emotion whatsoever as she sits there surrounded by her piles of plans and extravagant ideas like some queen demanding her literally impossible bidding to be done.
Oh, dear God, she is serious!
I feel my stomach drop and am just about to get up from the table and leave, when Esme Cullen, Edward, and Alice's incredibly sweet aunt, places a light hand on my shoulder, stalling me.
"Alice, I think you might need to explain to us how you've come up with that number," she urges calmly. Her patience resembling that of a saint.
I wasn't at all surprised to see Alice show up at the café only minutes after we'd opened and was grateful for the fact that I'd had time to talk things through with Angela. I am surprised, however, by the fact that Alice is accompanied by another woman who I barely know. They both make their way to one of the booths to set up camp, making me a little apprehensive. Worried that Alice has brought reinforcements to ensure that she gets her way, I reluctantly tug off my apron and grab a small tray with hot drinks and some pastries. Luckily, it doesn't take long for me to fall head over heels in love with Edward and Alice's incredibly kind and down-to-earth, Aunt Esme.
"It's not some number I've drawn out of thin air, Esme," Alice grumbles like some obnoxious child.
"This is the amount that the Bridal Magazine is giving us to work with. They usually don't pay anything at all for photoshoots like this, but since we're just starting up and the fact that they've given us such a short time-frame to prepare, they've agreed to sponsor us a little."
Touching the bridge of my nose, I feel my headache pulse painfully.
"Alice, that amount won't even begin to cover the food expenses, how the hell are you planning on paying for everything that you have on that ginormous list of yours?"
This time she has the decency to look a tad bit insecure.
"A photoshoot like this will benefit the entire community. I'm confident that once-."
Her naïve argument and insistence cause my anger to flare up yet again, making me snap.
"You can't expect people to concede to your very specific demands without any form of payment, Alice. It doesn't work like that. You have to give people something in return for them to help you out. Need I remind you that you're trying to build good relationships with suppliers who will want to work with you when the real weddings actually start rolling around?"
Looking down at the enormous list of things we're going to need to fulfill Alice's vision, I feel my stomach sink. There's no way we'll ever be able to pull this off.
"I think I can get ahold of most of the furniture and tableware that we'll need for free," Esme shoots in, trying to bring a little bit of hope to the seemingly dire situation. I've learned that she works for a high-end interior design company in Port Angeles where part of her work is to stage houses for sale.
Alice doesn't even react which really annoys me.
Forcing a polite smile to my lips, I bob my head in Esme's direction to acknowledge her.
"That's really helpful, Esme, thank you."
Looking down at the list again, I release a deep sigh and try to push through my negativity and focus instead on finding solutions.
"I can call Mary down at Sweet Stems. She might be willing to help us with the flowers, but I can't promise you'll get exactly what you want, Alice."
Alice blinks.
"But I need the roses," she argues, and I'm forced to bite down on the inside of my cheek to keep from screaming.
"Alice," Esme gently scolds. "We don't have the luxury of choice, here. Bella's right."
"But-."
Esme reaches out to stroke her arm which causes her to pause.
"We will just have to make do with what we're given and adjust our plans accordingly."
In many ways, Alice reminds me of a small toddler at the brink of a huge tantrum, but surprisingly she slowly nods her head in acceptance. It's clear by her clenched jaw and fidgeting hands that relinquishing some of her control like this and leaving a lot of the key decisions partly up to chance, is incredibly difficult for her. More so than anyone can probably imagine.
"Luckily, we'll be able to get most of the ingredients for the food from the farm, but I will need to talk to Leah and Paul for some of the produce."
Silence builds. Studying Alice carefully, I can't help but notice how her eyes regularly dart towards the bathroom. A wild and desperate longing shining through them before she's able to hide it. Her control is slipping.
"And you were able to get a wedding dress for free, am I right?" I ask her directly, keeping my voice calm as I do my best to distract her.
Every single muscle in her thin body is tight with tension and she looks as though she's about to bolt, but as her eyes lock onto mine, I'm pleased to see a hint of resolve shining back towards me. She nods, looking down at the paper.
"Um… yeah, Grace Loves Lace in Seattle is willing to lend us everything we need from a wedding gown to a tux for our groom and even additional outfits for the bridal party. We'll just need to pay for dry-cleaning," she nibbles on her bottom lip, and I can't help but notice that how her lips are severely chapped.
"That's excellent," Esme shoots in, her green eyes sparkling with pride as she also tries to catch Alice's fleeting gaze.
Does she know?
"What about the models? I remember you mentioning them to Edward yesterday," I continue, keeping Alice occupied.
She shakes her head as though she's trying to clear her thoughts.
"Well, that's a cost we really can't cut."
She has a solid point.
"I agree with you, but how many models are we talking about? Just the bride and groom, or are we talking about an entire wedding party of models?"
Alice rolls her eyes at me, and although I hate to admit it, I'm actually a little pleased to see some of the fire in her reignite.
"Just the bride and groom, Bella. I figured it wouldn't be too difficult to find a few locals who'd jump at a chance to be in a major national magazine, like this."
Posing in front of a camera is perhaps the very last thing I'd ever volunteer for; however, I realize that in this instance I'm probably the odd one out.
Thank God, I'll be busy preparing the food.
I bob my head acknowledging her as I scroll through the list one more time. We are still a long way off. The list of things Alice wants for this photo shoot is quite literally a mile long. That combined with the restricted budget and the limited amount of time we must pull this off, has me feeling both pessimistic and overwhelmed.
A soft hand curls comfortingly over the top of mine, dragging me away from my negative thoughts. Esme's kind eyes lock onto mine, reassurance and a strange motherly warmth radiating from her in waves.
"Why don't you head on outside and take a small break, Bella? Alice and I can prioritize the list a bit. I know you probably worked a full shift before we got here, so you must be tired."
God, yes.
Alice looks as though she's about to argue, but again she takes me by surprise when she simply clenches her jaw and nods her head once to show her agreement.
What the hell?
Wiping the puzzled look from my brow, I send Esme a grateful smile before I get up and leave before Alice has a chance to change her mind.
§§§
I'm relieved to see that the weather is better than earlier this morning. It's still cloudy but aren't any signs of rain. Inhaling the fresh air deep into my lungs, I move to the side of my building for some additional privacy. It's a slow day for the café, but I really don't feel like talking to anyone right now.
Leaning heavily against the wall for a moment, I close my eyes and just breathe. This day has been rough. Feeling my headache slowly begin to let up, I pull the tight hairband from my hair, releasing my short locks and removing some of the additional tension. Massaging my scalp, I feel a few stubborn grains of sugar beneath my fingertips and immediately begin the difficult task of trying to remove them by any means necessary. I'm bent forward, fingers buried in my hair, when a deep and husky chuckle suddenly fills the air. A spark of awareness trickles down my spine and I feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment.
Shit.
Hesitating, I consider my options, but quickly decide that there isn't much I can do to salvage the situation. Flipping my hair back, I straighten and meet his gaze with as much confidence as I can muster. His beautiful green eyes dance with humor and I feel my lips automatically curl into a smile.
Christ, it's good to see him.
"Don't tell me my sister has you losing your mind already?" he teases, taking a few steps closer until he's standing directly in front of me.
Tilting my head back a little, I hold his gaze and lightly shake my head.
"Nope," I respond, popping my lips ever so slightly.
Unexpectedly, his eyes drop to my mouth for a millisecond, igniting a warmth in my stomach. The intense connection sizzles between us, clouding my every thought. Overwhelmed, I can't help but look away.
"Uhm," I begin, releasing a nervous laugh as I shyly try to tame some of my unruly hair.
"I kind of woke up on the wrong foot this morning and ended up having a minor incident with a pretty large bowl of sugar earlier."
Edward's eyebrows rise and almost touch his hairline. His lips twitch and I get the sense that he's holding back a laugh.
"Minor incident, huh?" he smirks.
Pushing playfully against his arm, my body moves instinctually closer to his as we both laugh.
"Jerk," I mutter childishly as I roll my eyes at him.
Almost as though he's worried that I might move away, I feel his long fingers gently encircle my wrist, sending a spark of acute attraction through every inch of me. His expression changes, the light teasing giving way to something far more profound. Ever so carefully, he lifts his other hand and carefully tucks a few strands of hair behind my ear, lightly grazing my cheek with his fingertips as he begins to pull away. Once again, his eyes shift downwards, this time to something on my shoulder. I hear a swoosh of adrenaline rush in my ears and my breath catches as his hand changes course, trailing down my neck. Forcing myself to stand completely still, I feel his hand slowly moves from my clavicle and to my shoulder, brushing something away from my shirt. He wets his bottom lip, the heat of his body touching mine as he leans in closer.
"You, uh," he clears his throat, his voice rough.
Our eyes meet, a sharp yearning passing between us before the sharp sound of a car door closing, shatters our strange connection and yanks us both back to reality. Taking a large step away from one another, we both look away nervously for a second.
"You had some sugar on your shoulder."
I feel my cheeks explode with heat and promptly look down see if there's still some left, but can't find anything. Wiping both shoulders, I keep my gaze averted.
"Thank you."
An embarrassed silence builds between us, and I can't help but notice how Edward lightly bounces on his feet as he runs his fingers through his hair. It's a nervous trait of his that I can't help but recognize.
"So, how are things going with my sister? Is Esme able to help balance her out or-?"
Surprised by his choice of words, my eyes instantly fly to his.
Did he have something to do with her joining us?
"Is that why she's here?"
Edward sends me a sheepish smile.
"Yes and no," he pauses.
"I figured it was a good idea to get my aunt and uncle involved, seeing as they took over a pretty large share of the farm when my father died. Esme has a good eye for this kind of thing, but yes," his smile widens. "I might have mentioned that I thought you needed someone in your corner."
I shake my head at him, unable to hold back a smile.
"I can't imagine Alice being very pleased about that?"
Edward folds his arms over his chest, making him look very imposing all of a sudden.
"She didn't exactly have much of a choice."
Suddenly, her strange reactions today make more sense. The Cullens must have hashed a few things out before today. I mirror his stance.
"Well played, Mr. Cullen."
He bobs his head in a small bow and I can't help but laugh. His green eyes sparkle back at me making my heart skip a beat.
"Things are," I hesitate, "going OK."
Edward lifts a brow, silently asking me to continue.
"Alice's ideas are brilliant."
I can give her that.
"I just don't see how we can bring her ideas to life with the current budget. We need to give the suppliers something to make the prospect of working with us worth their while. Right now, all-in-all, we don't exactly have too much to offer."
A storm cloud of worry settles across Edward's features, and I immediately feel bad for burdening him with this. A hint of an idea slowly begins to form at the edge of my mind and when he eventually opens his mouth to respond, I quickly raise a hand to stop him.
"I might have an idea."