Friday arrived in a much foggier state than I liked, not the weather, no it was sunny and just the right temperature with a clear blue sky. It was my mind that was foggy - it was almost as if I had a memory at the front of my mind that I just couldn't access. It was irritating and frustrating and maddening and blech.
I had the peculiar feeling that baking was not the answer to my frustration today, I was not able to focus long enough. That left me with one thing left to do - work out.
I had a small gym inside my house - on courtesy of my dad on the note "You have to stay in shape Isabella, who knows when La Sorte might need your help again." So after a few warm-up exercises I was ready for my favorite tool for helping with frustration - the punching bag. I went to the inbuilt speaker system and put on some classical rock and started my exercise program to the beat and lyrics of Pour some sugar on me by Def Leppard and started pelting the punching bag in time with the beat.
The song was specially apt considering one of the reasons my mind was foggy was from more than a few steamy dreams with the green-eyed man being the main character. Oh, did I mention the frustration. It was intense.
After the work out I went about my day, feeling the fog clearing a smidgen and because it was Angela's day off, I did all the baking. Being alone in a bakery really was very close to being in actual heaven - the smell of the proofing bread, the sunrise being visible through the polished glass windows, the sound of music coming from the speakers, it embodied harmony for me. I was reminded of the fact that Alice wasn't coming in today either and started contemplating the relationship between our families while decorating some pralines.
Although Alice and I were practically inseparable as kids (like Renee and Esme) we always played at our house, when I was older I asked my dad why and he said it was because of all the meetings with dangerous men taking place in their mother and father had the option of stealth - the Cullen's did not.
Therefore I never really met Alice's brothers, Emmett who was 5 years older than us while Edward was 2. Although Emmett had the mind of our age and sometimes came around when it was time for pick up to play some with us, I always got the feeling that Edward thought entertaining his younger sister and friend was a waste of time. This meant that I only saw Edward once or twice and usually thru a tinted car window. It was weird really, I never met my best friend's family in its entirety. Oh well, it didn't bother me then and it doesn't really bother me now.
My musing was broken by the chime of a bell, the one that signaled customers. I looked up from my work and was shocked. In front of me was Alice, with her hand slung across the hips of a tall man with dirty blond hair, he obviously had muscles but it was of the lean kind. He reminded me a bit of a tiger, dangerous, calculating and discreet - a hunter and a strategist. Underneath the waist band of his light grey suit I could see the telling bulge that signaled the presence of a gun. All of this plus the look he gave her - full of love and amusement, told me only one thing. This was Jasper Whitlock, second in command of the Junior Mafia and the one man that put a sparkle in my pixie's eyes. I liked him instantly.
"Alice? What are you doing here? It's your day off today." I asked leaning on the counter with an amused smile, since the first thing I saw Jasper doing after entering the shop was check for signs of cameras. He would come up fruitless. They were all very well hidden. I disguised my smirk and listened to Alice's answer.
"Well actually Bella, it's your fault. Jasper practically dragged me here for some more of the panforte! You have corrupted him for all eternity!" I saw the jokingly offended look on Jaspers face as he muttered "Hey! Not my fault it tastes like my mothers... I couldn't help myself."
Deciding that introductions should probably be made I went around the counter, extended my right hand and said "Hi Jasper, I'm Bella Swan, the owner of this pastryshop, employer of the little pixie bouncing beside you and the maker of the panforte, it's really nice to meet Alice's fiancee at last." His smile widened at the word 'fiancee' and started to speak, but got interrupted by the familiar chime of the bell.
"What the bloody hell is taking you so long, bossman said it was urge..."
I glanced at the door and saw a big burly man with black curly hair and eyes that was a peculiar mix of dark green and light blue - it shouldn't be as attractive as it actually was. He stared me down for 3 slow seconds before looking for Alice to get what looked like some sort of confirmation. At her enthusiastic nod he then proceeded to sweep me up in a spinning bone crushing hug.
"Well well well, if it isn't little Isabella Swan!" Emmett boomed. I bristled at his comment, at my hight and with my figure, the last anyone would do is call me "little". But I guess compared to the giant that was Emmett Cullen, everyone was considered little. When he finally lowered me to the ground I felt his gun as well. If the personality didn't rat him out, that certainly did, Emmett Cullen, the head of security at the Junior Mafia. I could easily see why, when angry he would be quite the sight to behold.
"Isabella Swan" He started "you have certainly grown." He just grinned at me when I responded with a casual "Yeah, 15 years tend to do that to you."
"Wait" he suddenly said, "Are you the owner of the shop?"
"Yep, and the maker of all of the pastries." I said popping on the p. I smiled a smug smile to myself when I saw his jaw starting to work, Emmett had always been huge glutton when it came to sweets, and meat, and bread. Any food really.
"So, how about a small deal then Bella?"
"What kind of deal?" I asked suspiciously, Emmett's "Deals" had never been in anyones favor.
"I take everything that you don't sell today with me home."
"Emmett I hate to burst your bubble, but that's not a deal. That is you taking free pastries home without paying me. Deals usually entails that both sides win out."
"Both wins on this, I get free food and you don't have to throw away any!"
I scoffed, both at Emmett's antics and at the fact that he really hadn't changed in 10+ years. "I don't think Rose would appreciate you on such a sugar high tho."
"You know Rose?!" At this point Alice decided to make her self heard. "That's the amazing Bella AKA Bakerbitch, Emmett... Rose always mentions her."
"Oooooh, yeah I've heard of you, Rose always praises your cannolis." Emmett said seemingly a bit awed. Softening a bit I said:
"Emmett, you do realize that you can take the pastries with you? Not all mind you, but some." The response was another bone crushing hug. What can I say, Emmett really likes cake.
After I packed the cakes up, it was closing time. I had just locked up and gotten in my car when I got a call on my phone. The voice on the other side was dark and gruff, it said:
"Bells, You know that second force and opinion? I need its help on a mission."