Wide awake

Chapter Twenty two. Luscious Sugar Licks

B.P.O.V

when the alarm clock went off this morning, Edward still gave me the little head kiss into all my tangled hair. He still groaned and pulled away after I squeezed, but I couldn’t find it in me to be sour about it. I got dressed quickly, anxious to start the day and have my… afternoon… with Edward. We never really specified exactly what it was, and I was too wary about the new situation to risk looking ridiculous by calling it a date.

When I exited the bathroom, Edward was running his fingers through his messy hair, grumbling about something or another, though I couldn’t understand him. While shuffled to the couch, I decided not to put my hood up. Edward said he hated it. And even though it would have been nice just to feel him pull it off my head again, I didn’t do it.

I produced his bag of cookies and walked to the bedside table to drop them off. I spared him a sideways glance, wondering if I could maybe get another cheek kiss, and he was looking at me again. I turned full on and smiled at him, which he returned. Crookedly. He sat up and leaned towards me, so I got closer, and he put one little kiss right on my cheek. Not nearly as erotic as yesterday’s, but still sweet all the same. He flopped back down and began running his fingers through his hair again.

“Noon?” He grumbled, turning over in the bed to face me. I furrowed my brows wondering what noon was relevant to, before I realized he must be talking about the time to meet him. I smiled widely and nodded. Noon seemed like a good time. He smiled back and closed his eyes again, still in his morning stupor. I left out the door while all my tangled hair blew around in the cold, misty wind. I could only imagine what someone would think if they saw me sneaking out of Edward’s room with my hair looking like it did. I think Alice would call it sex hair.

All the Alice approved red lights on our house illuminated the yard in an eerie red as I snuck back into the kitchen. I spent forever in the hot shower, using an overabundance of conditioner cream that Alice insisted made my hair shiny without all the usual fuss. Esme had already left for work by the time I emerged, so I cleaned the kitchen and waited for Alice to wake up.

She finally came bounding into the kitchen at nine, fingering all of the hanging garland with nods of approval. I rolled my eyes.

“Breakfast?” I asked, kind of itching to relieve some of my anxiety somehow.

She slid into one of the stools and nodded enthusiastically. “For two.” She chirped, swinging her legs back and forth. I quirked an eyebrow at her. “Jasper’s coming over soon.” She smiled widely. I nodded in understanding and began cooking a full breakfast, slightly interested in impressing Jasper with my cooking skills. Second favorite guy.

He arrived thirty minutes later, sauntering in the kitchen looking grubby as ever. I was so shocked that Alice hadn’t made him up yet. She just ran up to him and jumped, wrapping her arms and legs around him. I grimaced a bit, and kept my attention on the stovetop while they kissed.

“Bella.” Jasper nodded, offering me a smile once Alice unwrapped herself. I nodded and smiled back while they each took a stool. I set all the food out on the counter top, and poor Jasper looked like he was salivating at the sight of all the pancakes and bacon and fruit. He reminded me a little of Edward in that moment. I chuckled and shook my head; taking my seat in front of them and watching him just basically eat everything in sight with a smile.

It was still tense having him in the house, and I ate as far away from him as I could, but he seemed to emit an air of calm and cool around himself that even seemed to spread to Alice. I excused myself once they started licking syrup off each other’s faces, and went to my room.

I stood, biting my nails nervously in my bedroom, staring at the wardrobe in equal parts of interest and trepidation. Edward hated the hood. It only made sense that he didn’t particularly care for the entire hoodie either. I didn’t want to dress up for so many reasons. I never dressed up because it drew too much attention. But if Edward was with me, maybe I would be more comfortable. I had no way of really knowing. And besides that, I didn’t want to come off so obvious.