7
The Hermit
When Bella wakes up the morning after she and Edward talked via text message, she doesn't feel an ounce of regret.
Well, there is a little bit.
She was serious when she told him that she has no passion anymore. Admitting that fact hurt her a lot more than she thought it would.
Sometimes, it's hard for her to get out of bed, much less give her all into something.
Sure, she has things that she enjoys doing, but she could live with or without them, so she wouldn't consider them a passion.
She smiles anyway while she goes through her routine.
Zafrina insists that it's not an obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is a good thing because Bella already has enough to deal with.
She just likes for things to be clean and orderly because she spends all of her time in this space. She has certain things she does on certain days, and today happens to be Wednesday. She dresses in a pair of cut-off sweats and a tank top, planning to give the kitchen floor a good scrub.
She could use a mop, but she enjoys the fresh lemon scent of the floor cleaner, and down here, she can get all the nooks and crannies.
When the floor is shining, and she feels accomplished for the day, Bella takes a long bath with tons of bubbles, refilling the tub with hot water multiple times. She reads a paperback, careful not to get the pages wet, and gets lost in the story.
Bella gets so lost that she manages to fall asleep and wakes up to cold bath water and a waterlogged book.
She turns the shower on to warm up and wash away the bubbles.
Still chilled to the bone, she decides to dress in her favorite flannel pajamas despite the fact that it's still early in the day.
Alice isn't planning on stopping by, so there's no worry that she'll be judged for dressing for bed before five o'clock.
She adds a pair of thick fuzzy socks and pulls her hair up into a messy bun on the top of her head.
After checking the soup she put in the crock pot when she woke up, Bella decides to curl up on the couch and watch the movie based on the book she accidentally destroyed.
It's a romantic drama laced with so much angst and heartache that she finds herself crying right along with the characters.
Her phone starts vibrating off the coffee table, and the text alert goes off repeatedly.
She manages to catch it before it lands face down on the floor.
And just like that, she's smiling like a loon.
Good afternoon. I would have texted you earlier but my day starts at five, and I didn't think you'd appreciate that.
I wanted to show you my kitchen. Isn't she beautiful?
The next twenty messages are pictures of a large kitchen filled with everything one would need to prepare enough baked goods to feed an army.
Bella is quick to reply.
I think I'm in love with your industrial oven. The things I could bake. ALL AT ONCE!
I would love to have you in my kitchen.
Bella's smile falls, but it doesn't last long.
So, I get to make a special of the day on Wednesdays. We have a pre-planned special for any other day of the week, but Wednesdays are mine. Anything I want.
If you made my cookies for profit, I might have to kill you!
I'm kidding. You can do whatever you want. Sorry.
Don't apologize. I would never make those for anyone but you.
Okay, I'll bite. What did you make for the special today?
Instead of a reply, she gets another picture.
Familiar script with an added flare. Bella's smile widens when she reads the words.
Bella's Brownies
No one has ever dedicated something to me before. Thank you, Edward.
That's a lie.
Mean girls in the seventh grade dedicated a song to her from a secret admirer at the only dance she ever attended. She thought she would never be more embarrassed than she was when she realized what had happened.
She was so wrong.
Really? That gives me so many ideas.
No. Please. No.
Too late, Sugar.
Sugar?
You like to bake. I like to bake. Sugar is a big part of baking. Would you rather me call you Yeast?
No. I'd prefer that you call me Bella but I guess Sugar is better than Yeast.
So much better. I'm helping my sister close the shop and then headed to the grocery store. Do you need anything?
Bella can't help but feel warm. He's very thoughtful.
But she can't help but question if it's all just a façade.
Nope. Drive safe. Talk to you later?
Thanks, Sugar.
Bella is packing the leftover soup into a Tupperware bowl when her phone dings.
Hey, Sugar?
Yes, Honey?
Honey?
Since you gave me a nickname it's only fair that I give you one. Honey is better than Peanut Butter, don't you think?
I do love peanut butter, but that would be a mouthful.
Do you need something?
Now that you mention it. Can I borrow a cup of sugar?
