EPOV
"What are you planning on making for dinner?" Bella asks, following me into the kitchen and hopping up on the counter.
"Uh, salmon steaks, rice, and steamed broccoli. Sound good?" I'm legitimately wondering if this is a good combination until Bella nods.
"Have you ever cooked rice?" I shake my head, and she nods. "Okay, no better time to learn. Do you remember the last time we had enchiladas at Alice and Jasper's?"
"Yeah, they made that great cilantro lime rice! Do you know the recipe?"
She rolls her eyes and hops down to open the fridge. "I should. I made it." Before I can respond, she turns to smile at me. "And those potato skins we had for the Super Bowl that you loved? Those were mine too."
She grabs a few things out of the fridge and sidles up to me at the counter as I look down at her. "What's first?"
"There's a rice cooker here, but if you don't have one, you should learn how to cook rice on the stovetop." Bella begins explaining the basics about ratios, how long it should cook, and whether or not to rinse the rice beforehand.
"But, before we start on the rice, can we talk about the broccoli?" She bites her lip, and I'm a little surprised. In the ten years that I've known Bella, I've never seen her … trepidatious about anything.
"What about it?" I cross my arms, not because I'm mad but because she's making me a little uncomfortable. We've never gone this long without fighting. I'm not sure I like it.
"It's a little boring. Have you ever had roasted broccoli?" I shake my head, and she laughs. "You are in for such a treat."
Bella guides me and assists as I put the meal together. She tells me that since the salmon isn't too thick, I can save it until the last few minutes, and we talk seasoning while the rice bubbles and the broccoli is safely tucked away in the oven.
"I'm sorry. I never realized that you were so into cooking," I say as I watch her mix together a spice blend, and she snorts.
"My mother, God rest her soul, was a terrible cook. I had to step up when I was really young."
"What about your dad? Charlie, right?" She smiles softly and sighs.
"Being a cop in Phoenix doesn't leave a lot of free time, but we made it work." She pushes the bowl toward me. "Pat the fish dry, sprinkle this on, and then sear each side. It should only take about ten minutes."
Once the pan is hot, I set the fish in while Bella opens the wine and pours two glasses.
"I'll set the table while you finish."
I reach out to grab her arm. "Thank you for helping me."
"Sure. I'd do anything for my friends." She turns back to the table. "And by friends, I mean Alice and Jasper."
I drop my head. There it is.