(Thank you to everyone who has read and for the few of you who left comments. =) It made me so happy to know people are enjoying my work!)
I quickly finished writing my note to Charlie. I felt terrible just abandoning him when he needed me most, but what choice did I have. Alice honked the horn of Carlisle's Mercedes impatiently, and Jacob and I bolted for the door.
When she caught sight of us still together, walking in harmony, neither with a look of brokenness or betrayal, her eyes widened in shock and her jaw dropped.
"Bella, Bella, Bella," she repeated my name three times in disbelief, "he's not coming with us is he? He can't…my visions….and….the Volutri…. and…"
"He comes or I don't, I won't go without him," I stated firm. I caught Jacob's smug elated smile out of the corner of my eye. Alice's face turned into an adorable pout.
"Just great," she wailed, "We'll never get the smell out of the car."
I took that as her acceptance.
We pealed out of the driveway and were on our way as soon as the car door shut behind me. A small sense of relief flashed through me, we were taking action.
Jacob's body was tense again once inside the car, but his eyes gaped with admiration at the black leather interior of the Mercedes. I stared at him, tucked safely in his warm arms beneath his shoulder, still in awe that he was actually with me. His expression had turned slightly terrified, mostly due to Alice's driving. If he was driving the Mercedes I doubt his expression would have been the same.
"I still can't believe you agreed to come," I sighed.
"Are you crazy? Slave for life, remember?" he said playfully despite the intense atmosphere in the vehicle, but then he became serious, "Did you think I was going to let you just walk away when you wanted me there?" Another pause. That made perfect sense. Jacob had desired nothing more than for me to want him the way he did me. So when I did, how could he possibly deny me? It made what I had done even more monstrous. "Do you remember what happened in the kitchen or did I dream that?"
"Oh, I remember." I replied, blushing.
"Then there's your answer. I love you." He looked at me and flashed a big Jacoby grin, "Italy, hmm, a little flashy for a first date, but it will do? Do you think pizza is really Italian?"
Only Jacob could possibly find something humorous in the current bleakness of our situation. Alice made a gagging noise. I playfully slapped Jacob's arm and nudged her seat.