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By Friday, Bella had lost all hope that Edward was going to call.
He hadn't even bothered to send a message. He'd probably just realized how different they were. He was wealthy, successful, in his prime. She was a student, waiting tables to make money, no one special.
She tried not to let it get her down. It was probably better that way. He was too old for her, anyway.
And he had issues, at least according to Jasper, according to Emmett.
So she buried herself in work, both for school and for Whitlock's Brand.
Tonight, they were catering a small event at a private bank in the City. It was just Alice and Bella, who served champagne and finger food to twelve people celebrating some business merger. Alice stayed in the back, preparing shrimp and caviar nibbles and refilling glasses. They were finished just before nine, the guests having gone on to dinner at the Savoy.
"Let's go to The Pub," Alice said, referring to their regular place, which was actually called The Pub. "Just for a drink or two, and some pub grub."
Bella agreed, and half an hour later, they were sitting down with pints of cider and a plate of wings and beer battered mushrooms. Bella didn't eat a lot, but she enjoyed it.
They chatted easily, about the upcoming Christmas season, about movies and what they wanted to do the following night. At one point, Alice asked Bella whether she's heard from Edward.
"Not one word. I think I'd better forget about him. If he can't even be bothered to call or send me a message…"
"Maybe he's travelling?" Alice took a huge bite from her chicken wing, her lips glistening with grease.
"He never mentioned it. He said he didn't have anything lined up until February."
"Maybe he's been ill. A lot of people have a cold this time of the year."
Bella cocked her head and looked into Alice's large blue eyes.
"Maybe his phone broke?" Alice suggested, nibbling on her wing.
"Maybe he's just not into me?" Bella retorted. "I may not have a lot of relationship experience, but I know this: if a man wants to call you, he will."
"Surely there have to be exceptions?"
"I guess. But I don't think they apply to this case." Bella sighed, peeling the batter off a mushroom before she popped it into her mouth. Chewing, she shook her head. "And that is that," she finished. "Can we change the subject now? What are you getting Jasper for Christmas?"
.
Shortly before midnight, Bella locked the door behind herself.
She felt grubby from the smells of the pub and decided to take a shower. She sighed with relief as she stepped under the hot spray, using her favourite, rose-scented body wash and massage sponge, scrubbing until her skin was pink.
She thought about the upcoming evening, and realized that she was looking forward to her night out with the girls. Maybe it was what she needed. Girl power and all that. Or rather girl and gay power, considering Victor would join them. As long as they could bitch about men, it was okay with her.
On that note, she stepped out of the shower and dried herself with a ginormous, pink towel. A matching one went around her wet hair. She slipped into her fluffy Donald Duck pyjamas and applied moisturizer to her face before she left the bathroom. She turned on some music, soft and jazzy piano tunes floating through the air.
Bella lay down on her bed and closed her eyes.
She was more relaxed than she'd been in a long time. She knew it was best to forget about Edward before she got herself into something difficult, most probably setting herself up to get hurt.
Her breathing became even and deep, and she was just drowsing off when the piercing ring of the doorbell made her sit up in bed.
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