Chapter 14
Bella
"Are you sure Santa didn't want you to suck his candy cane?" Alice asks with a smirk the size of Texas.
I shake my head and manage to roll my eyes at the same time. "Al, I told you what happened. We had a lovely Christmas together. And Christmas Eve..."
"You're blushing like a whore in church," she comments, testing out my new German chocolate, potato chip cupcake.
"We had some fun," I mumble, shrugging.
"Oh, don't I know it. Santa came down your chimney."
I smile and shake my head, while trying to think up a new recipe to feature in my store. It needs to be something interesting and fun. And as I mull it over, I listen to Alice rattle off some more puns about what was quite possibly one of the best Christmas presents I've ever received – Edward. Well Edward and Ej.
"Bella, have you guys talked yet?" she wonders suddenly; snapping into my protective mama-bear, best friend mode.
"Of course," I murmur, considering some kind of strawberry concoction thanks to Valentine's Day being right around the corner.
"And?" she presses.
I shake my head and try to concentrate on my friend for a moment. "And we're going to take things slow, but we're going to try things out. Clearly, I love them both – they're wonderful, and Edward said he's very interested in more. So…"
My mind slips back to a strawberry and fudge mixture, that is sounding better and better the more I think about it.
"So…?"
"So, we're not moving in with each other tomorrow, but we are going on a date."
"That's great!" she exclaims with a smile brimming on her lips. "And that," she points to the cupcake, "is amazing."
"I'm glad…about both."
"Me too, Bella, you deserve to be happy."
I sigh, because she's right. I do deserve some happiness for me. After losing my precious mom, and inheriting her semi-successful bakery, it's been a huge responsibility for someone so young; I even had to quit college before finishing my business degree. Thank God, I also inherited Mom's ability to bake and be creative. And, some day, I hope to finish my degree…but for now, I will concentrate on keeping my mom's memory alive, enjoying what joys I do have in life – including my hardworking father, and hopefully have a great relationship with Edward and Ej.
Alice's giggles, as she's licking her fingers of icing, bring me out of my musings. "What?" I question.
She grins, mischievously. "I was just thinking that I bet Santa's sack would have tasted yummy smeared with this sweet frosting," she barely gets out before doubling over in laughter, and I have to join her, because she's probably right.