Chapter 2: Dinner with Alice

"Can I help you, sir." The host looked up as Edward walked through the door.

"I'm meeting my sister, Alice Cullen." The host nodded and led Edward over to where Alice sat. "Thank you." As the man walked away, Edward sat down. "Hello Alice." She continued to glare down into her glass of water. Edward sighed. "Alice, I'm sorry I'm late. I got held up at work." Alice looked up at him.

"The shop closes at six. I thought nine was a reasonable time."

"I was talking with an employee." A smile spread slowly over Alice's face.

"Who is she?"

Edward became instantly engrossed in the menu he was studying. "Have you ordered yet?"

"Edward."

"She is an employee and today was my first time meeting her. We were closing up and talking and we lost track of time. That's all."

"Is she pretty?" Edward shrugged. She was breathtakingly beautiful, but he wasn't about to tell Alice he thought so. He could see the wheels turning in her head.

"Alice… before you start, stop. I can tell what you're thinking. I don't want to be fixed up with anyone right now."

"I'm sorry if I'm just concerned for my big brother's sanity. I don't like to watch you wallow in self-pity all the time just because some girl who was nowhere near good enough for you decided she was tired of milking you for money." The waiter brought their food.

"I like my self-pity, thank you very much." She looked away from him. "Look, Alice. I do appreciate what you're trying to do for me. I'll move on when I get ready, I just need time." He touched her arm. "Alice."

"It's killing mom." She pouted. He frowned. "Alright, I'll stay out of your love life, for now."

"Thank you Alice. I'll be fine. How could I not be when I've got a great sister like you?" Alice beamed at him. He sighed inwardly. For now he had her distracted from the earlier subject.

"So… Who is she?" Damn.

"Um, Bella Swan. Something like that. I can't really remember."

"Bella Swan? She's my roommate!"



"Oh, is that right?" Edward poked at his food. "I didn't know."

"What a small world." The wheels began turning again.

"Alice."

"Alright fine. But don't be mad if Bella and I talk about you behind your back."

"Don't you already? 'Geeky brother.'" Alice stuck her tongue out at him.

"Well you are." She countered. Edward chuckled.

"Fair enough." They finished their dinner and Edward paid. He hugged her. "It was good seeing you Alice."

"You too. We should do it more often. You should see mom and dad more often, too. I know they miss you."

Edward looked sad. "I'll go and see them soon. I should get going. I have work tomorrow."

"Bye, Edward. I'll tell Bella you said 'I love you'" Edward glared. "Just kidding. We'll keep the conversation to your extreme geekiness."

"Thanks, Alice. I'll see you later." He left the restaurant and drove away.

Alice made her way out to her Porsche. Sometimes her brother exasperated her. She could tell he was unhappy. She could tell that he was lonely and yet he refused to do anything about it. He was content to pine after a girl who never loved him to start with; to think that everything would work out with time. She had promised to let him work it out on his own, but what did he know about his happiness? So far he had failed to find it, and she would be damned if she was going to stand by and let him watch happiness walk away from him this time. She pulled out her phone and dialed.

"Hello, Jazz?" I need you to help me with something. Could you come over please? Great, I'll see you in a bit. Bring your spending the night stuff."

She hung up and drove back towards her dorm.