Chapter 2 - New Year, New You
I didn't reach out to anyone over the Christmas weekend besides the normal Christmas texts and Facebook posts from Forks. My dad was happy to have me home, but he could tell something was up. He didn't push though. Charlie was good like that.
While replying to Christmas wishes, I saw a post from Rosalie. I'd seen it the last few years, but had never given much thought to it before.
It was a workout and lifestyle program founded by Garrett Tucker, the star of Celts, the historical drama on one of the basic cable channels. Alice was a huge fan, and I'd binge it with her at the end of each season, but I'd never thought of joining the program or followed him more than what would come across the entertainment sites I frequented.
But on New Year's Eve, I bit the bullet and bought a membership to A Single Step.
The program began a few days into the new year and I was pleasantly surprised by the way it was set up. They had a website that allowed members to share their triumphs and struggles, with peer support being a big component of the program. Beyond that, there was a nutritional guide you could follow strictly or pull from as needed, and a workout regime that was varied and offered options for different levels. It was amazingly well thought out and built around the plan devised to get him in shape for his role on Celts.
The first month was the hardest to stick with, but I pushed through it and was pleased to see the weight begin to drop. Alice noticed the change first and was concerned, but when I mentioned the program she was pleased. She knew of it, but with her own history of obsessively working out, it wasn't something for her. She was happy I'd chosen a healthy way to improve myself, though.
When Laurent noticed it, he was more concerned, but I told him I was doing it for me.
"I got to this point after living at a standard that wasn't maintainable. But that doesn't mean I've never thought about getting fitter. I just hadn't had the final push to do something."
"And being insulted by that idiot was the push you needed?"
"Bella," Emmett called from my doorway, "can I see you in my office?"
"I'll head back downstairs, but remember, do this for you, not because of him," Laurent told me.
We both exited my office and I walked the short distance to Emmett's. When I walked inside, he gestured for me to close the door.
"Bella, you would tell me if something was wrong, right?"
"I'm not having any issues here —"
"I'm not talking about work. My mother told me you had some interaction with Edward at the holiday party and now it is clear you're losing weight. I'm saying this as a friend, not as your boss. Are you all right?"
"Yes. I actually started A Single Step this year. Rosalie speaks so highly of it and I wanted to make a change for myself."
"And my brother …?" Emmett asked warily.
"Sat next to me on the bus. He made a comment, but it wasn't mean. It was honest. And I chose what to do with it."
"He's making enough poor life choices, he should be keeping his mouth shut," Emmett paced, his annoyance at his younger brother clear.
"Emmett," I said, trying to soothe the bear that was ready to rage. "I'm being healthy and smart. Whatever he's going through, he's the one who needs the big brother, not me."
"Fine," Emmett grumbled.
"Thank you for looking out for me, truly."
From there, the months went on and the weight continued to fall off. I was careful not to overdo it. I still enjoyed food, but worked some healthier options into my meals.
Alice insisted that I talked through my feelings with my therapist, and by the time the next holiday party loomed, I'd lost about seventy pounds.
My curves were still there, but not as rounded as they'd been. My clothes were all donated to the local charity that helped women dress for new jobs.
I was happy and in a good place, but as the days grew closer, Emmett seemed more on edge than usual around me.
"Is this about your brother? Because I'm not worried about seeing him. I'm sure he won't even remember me."
"It isn't just that. This is only known in the Chicago office at the moment. My father wanted to make some grand announcement, but the design division is moving to Seattle. We'll all be headquartered here."
"So Edward is moving home?"
"Yes." Emmett replied gruffly, as if he wasn't happy to have his brother home.
I smiled at him. "Esme must be pleased."
"For a lot more than having him close. She hated his girlfriend, Irina." It was clear from his hostility that he agreed with his mother on that point.
"Irina Denali, the supermodel?" I asked, shocked.
"That's the one."
I snorted. "Makes sense that he'd notice how squishy I was."
"He's an idiot for saying that, even drunk."
Emmett pulled me in for a side hug and we got back to work.
On December twenty-third, I stood in front of my closet once again. It wasn't a matter of deciding on a dress, since I had fewer fancy dresses. Rather, of deciding if I even wanted to bother.
This year, Christmas would be low-key. Charlie's girlfriend had booked them a fishing trip, and Alice and Jasper were visiting his family in Texas. I was riding solo. It didn't really bother me, but if Esme or Emmett found out, I'd be spending the holiday with them.
I slipped on a black shift dress, paired it with my diamond drop earrings, a simple necklace, and my bangle. My silver wrap completed the look. With my hair down around my shoulders and my clutch filled with my essentials, I walked the short distance to where the bus would be waiting at our offices.
What I wasn't expecting was to see Edward Cullen himself at the front of the bus. He looked up and walked over until he stood in front of me. "Ms. Swan?"
"Hello, Mr. Cullen."
"Hey, Bella," Laurent yelled, slinging his arm over my shoulder and pulling me close. "Come sit with me, I've got something to tell you." Laurent glared at Edward for a moment and then steered me onto the bus.
"That was rude," I told him.
"No, it was polite compared to what I wanted to say. Now, stick with me tonight and we'll have some fun."
And true to his word, we did. We laughed, danced, and drank, carrying on more than I had last year. But all the while, I felt the intense stare from the youngest Mr. Cullen. But the thing that killed me–he wouldn't even talk to me.
Needing a break from the crowd, I stepped out onto the terrace and lit up a cigarette. I had just finished taking my second drag when I heard the velvet voice that had breathed in my ear a year ago.
"You know those are bad for you."
"So is getting drunk enough that you insult a stranger." I stubbed out the cigarette and tried to walk past him, but he held out an arm to stop me.
"I didn't mean it as an insult. If I'm being honest, I didn't mean to say it out loud at all." I could tell by the pained expression he was being sincere.
"Well, you did. And it was embarrassing."
Edward took another step, completely blocking my path. "This," he gestured to my body with his hand, "wasn't because of what I said, was it?"
"I did it for me," I told him firmly.
"But did you decide to do it because of what I said? You were beautiful just the way you were."
"Thank you, Mr. Cullen, but I should get back inside." I strode past him, ready to get back inside.
"Edward." He said just before I got to the door.
"Excuse me?" I turned to look at him.
The tips of his ears turned red. Whether from the cold or something else, I didn't know. "Call me Edward, Bella."
"Goodnight, Edward."
I went inside, ready to be done with the evening, but I didn't want it to look like a repeat of what happened last year. So I went to the bar and ordered a double scotch, planning to nurse it for a while and order an Uber.
When I got the alert on my phone thirty minutes later that my driver was five minutes away, I excused myself from Laurent and our other friends, promising that I was all right.
"Bella!" Emmett called after me.
"Emmett, I've gotta go. My Uber is almost here."
I would text an apology along with my Christmas wishes, but I had a feeling Emmett had found out about my Christmas plans.
I stepped out onto the sidewalk and saw my Uber parked in the valet waiting for me. I approached and the driver moved to the back door to open it.
"Bella?"
"Yes. Marcus?"
"That's me. I've got the other passenger already inside, so we're ready to go."
He tugged the handle and I slid inside. I wasn't the biggest fan of sharing with a stranger, but on leaving events like this, there was a good chance it was one of my coworkers, so I dealt with it.
"Bella," Edward's smooth voice caught my attention.
"Edward."
"I didn't plan this. I just ordered a ride home," he said defensively.
I sighed, hating that he was worried I thought he'd be that underhanded. "It would be a feat if you could have orchestrated this. It's fine."
The ride was quiet and slightly awkward, but we managed not to have any more misunderstood conversations. Edward was a gorgeous man, and when he wasn't drunk or so unsure of himself, he was charismatic. He was a contradiction; likely a source of whiplash for anyone who spent a considerable amount of time with him.
Marcus made his way through the last of the traffic and pulled up just past my building. I thanked him and climbed out, prepared to turn and say goodnight to Edward, but he stood on the curb beside me.
"Did you park at the office? I'm sure Marcus can drive you back."
"No, I live here." Edward pointed to the entrance of my building.
I groaned in frustration. "Of course you do."
"I didn't … what do you think I did here?" he asked.
"Nothing."
I walked inside, straight to the elevator. When it arrived, I stepped into it and turned to see Edward leaning against the wall, his head down.
"You can catch the elevator with me. I'm just in a shitty mood today."
Edward looked up and crossed the vestibule to join me in the elevator. "Sorry you're feeling shitty. But I'm sure things will be better when you get to see your family over the holidays."
"No holidays with the family this year. I have placed a to-go order from The Mediterranean Grill a few blocks down, since they're only open a few hours on Christmas Day. I'm going to watch some movies at home."
"Alone?" he pressed.
"Yes."
"I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind an extra person if you wanted to join us."
"I know they wouldn't, but I don't feel like going through all the trouble it involves. It takes a lot of energy to be around people sometimes, you know?"
"More than you might realize."
The elevator chimed and the doors opened, revealing my floor. "This is me."
"Merry Christmas, Bella. I hope it is as low-key as you wish for."
"Thanks. Enjoy the holiday with your family. I'm sure Esme is thrilled to have you home."
The doors closed and I walked down the hallway to my front door. Once I was safely locked inside, I was once again baffled by the walking contradiction that was Edward Cullen.