Thirty-Seven

B

When Rosalie finds out our dinner plans, she immediately hassles me for Alice's number so she can offer to make dessert. She insists, and I'm not going to argue.

Rosalie bakes for a living, and her goods are truly to die for. When we first moved in together, I gained at least ten pounds due to the treats she'd bring home after work. Eventually, we implemented a Fridays-only rule.

Getting Alice and Rosalie in contact with one another was actually a good thing. We set up a group chat, and they keep me entertained.

"Cake or pie?" Rosalie asks while we're painting our nails. "I'm thinking carrot cake with cinnamon cream cheese icing or an apple pie or something."

"Go with the cake. Pies are for holidays."

She nods and goes back to her nails. We work in companionable silence for a beat and both start talking at the same time.

"So, you and Edward are getting serious."

"How's your dating life treating you?"

We laugh, and I tell Rose to go first.

"Well, I'm actually going on a date Friday after work." She grins.

"And who's the lucky guy?"

"Emmett. The morning delivery driver."

My eyes bug. Emmett is a sweet as can be teddy bear, and my friend is a proud maneater.

"I know. I know. He asked, and it obviously took a lot of courage for him to do so. It's not a pity date though. I've dated a lot of assholes. Maybe it's time to try something different."

"Maybe. I'm proud of you. And Emmett's a great guy."

"All right. Enough about me. I want all the nitty gritty on you and loverboy. Spill the deets."

With a red face, I explain just how good I've got it. My boyfriend, someone who insisted they were bad at relationships, is amazing. He treats me well and worships me daily, just as he promised that first night. Rose wants to know everything, so I even share our ventures in period sex.

Her eyes widen and she grimaces. "Isn't that gross? I mean, it's got to be weird for him, not to mention messy."

"It's not like he went down on me. That would be a deal breaker. And it's a lot less messy than you'd think. We laid out towels or did it in the shower."

"You're a braver woman than me." Rose starts cleaning up our mess. "I need to run to the grocery store for some ingredients. Do you want to come?"

"Yeah, I could get a couple things for the house."

She smirks. "When you say the house, do you mean here or Edward's?"

"Here, you dweeb."

Rose holds her hands up in defense. "I'm just saying; you practically live there."

"I'm sorry." I frown. "l'll do better to be home more."

"I'm not saying that to make you feel bad. I was only joking and I'll shut up. Edward makes you happy and treats you well. If you wanted to move in with him tomorrow, I'd miss the hell out of you, but I'd also be happy for you." She pulls me in for a hug. "Besides, if Friday goes well, I might have my own fella to keep me busy."

We spend the afternoon shopping and baking and just enjoying each other's company. As much as I miss Edward, it's nice to have some quality time with my best friend. It's a good thing neither of us are clingy. I mean, too clingy.

He texts me once, telling me Alice's address and that he's thinking of me.

Rose picks on me for how cheesy I've become, but she lets me lick the bowl and beater, so I let it go.

Around four-thirty, we pile into Rose's Mini Cooper and head across town. We pass Edward's house and his car is already gone, so I'm thinking he's excited to see me. Butterflies swarm my belly, and my skin tingles with anticipation.

Okay, maybe we're more clingy than I'm willing to admit.

Alice and Jasper live in a smallish cottage on the edge of the city. It's adorable, and the yard is decked out with dozens of garden gnomes. You can definitely tell Alice lives here.

Edward's car is behind a massive SUV in the driveway, so we park on the street, and Rosalie insists on carrying the cake even though I helped. A little.

We're making our way up the sidewalk when the front door flies open, and in a blur of lavender, Alice is standing in front of us with a big smile.

"Oh, Rosalie, you're just as beautiful in person as you are on the inside. Hi!"

The cake box is thrust into my hands, and the two of them embrace.

"It's so lovely to meet you face to face!" Rose cries dramatically, and I roll my eyes.

I mean, they've known each other for all of three days. "Okay, ladies. Break it up." I laugh, only half joking.

Alice pulls away with a wicked grin. "Is someone jealous? Rose, I think Bella is jealous." She snatches the cake out of my hand and throws herself at me.

Edward is right. Alice is freakishly strong for someone her size. She squeezes the air out of my lungs and kisses my cheek. "Hi, Bella."

I roll my eyes again. "Hi, Alice."

Introductions and greetings aside, Alice drags us inside. "The lasagna is just about ready, so I've got the boys making the salad while Jack finishes his nap."

We take our shoes off at the front door and follow Alice through the spectacularly decorated house and into the kitchen where the men are arguing about the proper protocol when it comes to grape tomatoes in a salad.

"Just toss them in whole." Edward huffs.

"No, they need to be sliced or they're going to burst when people bite into them," Jasper defends. "No one likes an explosion in their mouth like that."

"Speak for yourself," Rose says, getting their attention.

Edward quickly washes his hands and approaches, popping a kiss on my lips before turning to Rose with an outstretched hand. I make introductions, and Alice directs us to sit where we want at the table. I'm stuck between Edward and Rose and settle in to enjoy one of the best meals I've had in a long time, and that's saying something considering I've had Edward's grilled cheese.

Conversation flows smoothly, and it's like we all have known each other for years. When Alice and Jasper start clearing the table, Rosalie turns to Edward.

"Do I need to give you the best friend threat?"

"I'm sorry?" Edward turns to me with a confused expression.

"You know. The 'you hurt her, I hurt you' or the 'I know how to dispose of a body and my Mini Cooper has more trunk space than you'd think' talks." Rosalie raises a brow. "I'm sure Charlie's conversation included firearms, but I have a fresh can of pepper spray in my purse, and I'm not afraid to use it."

Edward squeezes my hand, and I can tell he's fighting a smile. "I can promise that I would never do something to hurt Bella. She holds my heart and all the power."

Rosalie nods. "The threats still stand, but you've got my approval, Edward Cullen."