Second Thoughts
"What the hell am I doing?"
Bella stared at herself in the mirror, not recognizing the person gazing back. Alice stood behind her with a half-frustrated expression on her face.
"You're taking chances, Bella," she chastised. "It's time you lived a little."
"By going out to dinner with a complete stranger? This is not a good idea, Allie."
"Hush," Alice warned. She picked up the comb on the counter to began stroking through Bella's locks as if to soothe her like a whimpering puppy. Bella frowned.
"I think I agree with Bella on this one, babe," Jasper chimed in from his perch on her bed. "I mean, she doesn't really know him."
"That's the point, silly," Alice smiled. "That's how dating works. You meet strangers, they ask you out, and you go to a public place to begin a conversation. Since when have you become so cynical?"
"I'm not trying to be pessimistic," Jasper defended. "There's just something about him that doesn't sit right with me."
"What do you mean?" Bella gazed at her best friend through the mirror, trying to gauge his pensive expression.
"I don't know," Jasper shrugged, fishing for an excuse. "Maybe the fact that he's Italian bothers me."
"What?" Alice scoffed. "Please . . . That just makes him sexy."
Bella couldn't help but agree.
"Both of you just need to relax," Alice stated firmly. "It's a date! Not a freakin' marriage proposal."
"I guess . . ." Jazz still looked a little nervous as he watched Alice put the finishing touches on his best friend. Once both girls were done, Bella stood from her stool to give him a final twirl of her look.
"Well?"
The bright red dress she wore may have been a little too short and a little too tight in his opinion, but Jasper bit his tongue and gave her a raving compliment.
"You look amazing, Bella."
"She looks fuck hot!" Alice sang her voice so high-pitched it could've shattered glass. "Knock him dead, sweetie."
Bella smiled, picked up her car keys and black cashmere wrap, and headed out the door.