Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

TDF

Thursday, October 13, 2011 – 12:45 pm – Paramour Bistro, Port Angeles, WA

"I recorded notes and when I have extra time at work today I will send them on to Esme. She promised us a working tea time at her home when she gets back from Milwaukee," I tell Alice as I fold up my notebook and put away all of my papers.

"Sounds good and now that the business end of things is settled, tell me more about Jake," Alice rubs her hands together in anticipation.

"I told you everything there is to know last night, Alice," I sigh in frustration. "It was abominable. Not just on his end either. I drank like a fish, swore like a sailor, and went on a ten minute rant about my mixed feelings for Teddy and Edward."

Alice is laughing at my pain again and I want to hit her. I want to forget all about it. I want to cause Charlie and Billy pain.

"He. Licked." She gasps through her giggles. "YOUR HAND!"

People are starting to stare and I am starting to have PTSD like flashbacks from last night.

"To be fair, his eyes were closed and I think he just tried to play it off like he meant to do it," I rationalize more to myself than to Alice.

"Imagine if that would have been your face!" Alice exclaims.

We both groan in unison.

I hold my face in my hands and sigh, "We are having dinner on Sunday with our fathers. Charlie called me up to inform he that he and Billy are both thrilled over the success of our first date. Apparently, Jake called Billy to gush and Billy pulled Charlie into a three-way call."

Tears are falling down Alice's face as she continues to vibrate with silent laughter.

"I am failing to the excessive humor of the situation, Alice. I am literally going to hit you if you don't stop," I growl.

"Oh, hush. You would be laughing to if it were me," Alice points out as she tries to reign in her laughter.

"Not to your face," I admit.

"Fine," Alice breathes a deep breath and bites her lip to hold back the grin. "I promise to try and help you find a way out of the Jake situation. But you have to look at the Jake situation in a more positive manner, Bella."

"Please enlighten me to the positives in this situation, because I see none," I sit back in my chair and cross my arms.

"You got all of the bad date stuff out of the way," she explains. "Every bad thing that could possibly happen, did. Now karma has freed you up to have two great dates."

"Lightening can strike twice, Alice, and knowing me it probably will," I sigh dejectedly.

"Optimism, dear grasshopper is the only way to get through this," Alice eyes me. "I am older and wiser, listen to me. Now, you better skedaddle if you want to make back to the library before 1:30pm, that Cope is a hard-ass for punctuality."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," I mumble as I gather my things to go. But as I hug Alice I try to remind myself to listen to Alice's advice and be optimistic about my next two dates."

TDF

AN: A little Alice pow-wow. One more small post tonight, and the action picks back up tomorrow along with the return of Edward and Teddy!

Remember, no Beta, just me.

Thanks for all the support!