A week later, I sat on the couch curled up with one of Bella's books. But my mind wasn't on whatever tale I was reading, it was on a certain blond-haired Southern vampire.
As I just reached the halfway mark, Edward sat down next to me. I jumped a little, not hearing him.
"You love him," he said, his voice not showing any emotion.
I immediately knew who he was talking about. "What? Love who?" I said blankly.
He rolled his eyes. "Don't try to deny it, Alice. You've been thinking about him for days, and he even appears in your dreams."
"Get out of my head," I muttered.
"I wish I could, it's not my fault you thoughts are so loud."
I looked down, ashamed. "He knows, doesn't he?" I said.
"Of course," said Edward.
"What does he...think about it?" I asked quietly.
"He's...confused. He feels something similar, but refuses to admit it. He knows you feel it, too, but can't tell that those feelings are directed towards him, the idiot," said Edward.
It didn't make any sense to me why Jasper would have any interest in me whatsoever. He was everything I wasn't- while I was loud and sometimes annoying, he was quiet and polite. He was tall and handsome, I was like a pixie- and not the pretty kind.
"What do you think about...it?" I asked Edward, not being able to think of a term to describe our relationship.
He obviously didn't expect me to ask that. He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I think that...you're good for Jazz. But then again, I don't know if it'll work out. With his thirst and all…" he trailed off.
I had guessed he might say something like that. "You told Bella, didn't you?" I asked.
Edward nodded. "She's ecstatic. She thinks that just because I managed not to hurt her while she was human, Jasper won't suck you blood." His tone became slightly annoyed. "She puts too much faith in him."
I believed Bella was right. I trusted Jasper and was almost positive he wouldn't hurt me. At least, I think he wouldn't.
"Don't be that trusting," Edward warned, hearing my thoughts. "I know he wouldn't do anything intentionally, but you never know."
I crossed my legs and leaned back against the couch. "So...now what?"
"Don't worry about it," murmured Edward. "Something will happen eventually, but whether that's good or bad…"
I closed my eyes and tried to see a glimpse of our future, but nothing came up. Whenever I needed to see something, I never could. That really sucked.
Suddenly, I heard Edward chuckle a bit. My eyes opened to see him grinning mischievously. He winked at me, stood up, and left.
Jasper came in just a few seconds after Edward left. "Walk with me," he said,and I stood up.
We went outside, and I avoided his gaze, choosing to look out at the waves crashing on the white sand.
"I heard the conversation," he said quietly.
My face turned red as I shoved my hands in my pocket and looked down at my shoes. I should've known he'd be listening. "And?" I asked carefully.
He sat down in the shade of a palm tree, and I sat down next to him. He turned to me. "And..." he paused and ran a hand through his hair, trying to figure out what to say. I didn't know how Jasper, who always knew what to say, was intimidated by me. "I don't know what to say," he finally said. "It's just...I know how you feel about me, and you know how I feel about you. But I don't want this to go further than what it already is, Alice."
I was crushed, but I nodded. "I understand. I mean, the whole human-vampire thing...it wouldn't make sense."
He gave a small nod. "I'm glad you understand."
"Yeah, I mean, I get if I'm not up to your expectations, you-"
"What?" he said blankly. "I'm talking about the fact that I struggle with my thirst and you're human. What did you think it was?"
"Oh," I said, feeling awkward. "I thought we were talking about how you're so perfect it hurts, and I'm so incredibly imperfect," I said. "I'm not what you want, what you deserve."
He laughed lightly. "I'm not asking for a piece of the sky, Alice. I just want you."
I was sure my face looked like a tomato by now. I hadn't expected him to be so...open. "Then why not?" I questioned.
"Because!" he explained. "It's dangerous. I'm a vampire. You're a human. And you know how I struggle with my thirst..."
"I trust you," I said. "I know you won't hurt me."
"You trust me, but I don't trust myself!" he said. "One mistake and you could be dead."
I kneeled in front of him. "Jasper," I said slowly. "Look at me. Do you want to suck my blood out right now?"
"No," he said honestly. "No, I don't."
I scooted closer and wrapped my arms around him, leaning my head against his chest. His arms came around me, too. "Now?" I asked.
He took a breath. "No," he said.
"See?" I said. "It's okay. We're okay."
He pressed his face against my hair, tentatively breathing in. "I guess you're right," he murmured.
I smiled and allowed myself to relax, just enjoying the perfection of the moment.