(Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the sole owner of these characters. We just love them so much we had to borrow them)
Chapter 14
The Anniversary Party-Part II
Bella's POV
Whew! I can't believe I survived that. Now will be the true test; to see if we can survive the evening being polite. I walked toward the house and Edward swiftly joined me. Once again, I felt that electricity I always felt when I was near him.
I walked into the kitchen and Alice was there waiting for me. She gave me a look like she saw something but couldn't tell me. I wondered if it had anything to do with what just happened. However, I made her promise not to interfere and at this point I was too tired to ask her for the information. If she really needed to tell me she would.
"So, did you two come to an agreement?" I smirked back at her.
"Yes, but you already knew that so why are you asking? I can't believe you didn't warn me Alice."
"Bella, I knew he was coming but I thought I had more time to warn you…he changed his mind at the last minute about when he was leaving. I thought he'd be here later." I love Alice, but sometimes she plays with people's lives a bit too much.
"Alice, I understand, but do you have any idea how humiliated I was? I mean I'm embarrassed enough in this get up" She looked at me with a shocked and offended face. "And then he walks through the door with that, that… Gwyneth Paltrow looking beauty queen!" I think I took her by surprise with that remark.
"Tanya?! You're worried about her? You think he's with her?"
"Uh, yeah, what else could I think, did you see the way she hung onto him?"
"Bella, he's not with her, at least that I can see anytime soon."
My frustration level was starting to rise. "But what about now Alice? Can you see him with her now? 'Cause it looks like that to me. Just turn around and look in your living room, you won't miss her; she is the one ALL over him."
"Well, I don't know, but I'll find out for you if you want? Although it seems very out of character for Edward."
"NO, absolutely not! You will not ask him anything about her. I don't want him thinking you're fishing for information, do you understand?" Then she pouted like I just took away her favorite designer shirt.
"Yes, I do. Fine. I won't ask him."
I was getting bored with the conversation. I just wanted to forget what had just happened and relax. "I'm tired of this, let's get a drink."
She hopped in step right next to me, "And dance?!"
"Only if I drink enough, and I'll have to take my shoes off. You've seen me on the dance floor--not pretty." As moved into the next room, I saw Edward chuckling to himself while looking in our direction. Great, I forgot, stupid vampire hearing.
We walked into the living room where most of the guests were gathered. People were in small groups chatting and drinking; oblivious to my pain and despair. Except for maybe Jasper, but he didn't seem to acknowledge it. I walked to the drink table and the bartender offered me a glass of what Alice called 'Sangria'. I took a sip. It was pretty good…much better than the beer I had the other night.
I began to feel calmer. Good. It was working. I glanced over at Rosalie cuddling who was with Emmett in the corner, speaking in their fast gibberish, but with loving glances toward each other…yucch! Then I turned to Esme and Carlisle acting as the perfect hosts, smiling and nodding to their guests. Jasper and Alice were dancing together like Fred and Ginger around the dance floor…they looked so happy. Then I saw him, and of course she was right next to him chatting away, still holding on to his arm. But he was watching me. So I raised my glass toasted to him, and slugged it down, not waiting to swallow before I poured the next one, and the next one. He gave me a wary look which I ignored by turning around and walking away.
I found Ben and Angela sitting quietly on the stairs. "Bella, I just saw you and Edward talking outside. Are you ok? Did you know he was coming? How did he get here-I thought he was out of the country?"
"You know Angela, I'm sorry but I just don't want to talk about it right now, is that ok? Can we just have some fun? I really need it." She smiled and nodded, raising her glass to toast. We talked for a little, mostly about what exciting things she had planned for us this summer when we go home.
Home seemed so far away right now. I longed to have the quiet of my room in Forks where things were easier and I didn't have to look at Edward's angelic face, and that unyielding vampire slut next to him. How much more could I to take of this?