2brown-eyes reads!

No song so…

Something to Talk About-Bonnie Raitt

I don't say a word, just turn and lead her to the kitchen. When I get to the bar, I pause and take several deep breaths before turning to her with a glare. "Are you out of your fucking mind?"

She pulls back, eyes wide. "That's not the thank you I was expecting."

I ball my fists and release them, my entire being deflating. "Why would you do something like that, Ali?" I shake my head. "And better yet, what did you do with his girlfriend after you dumped him off here?"

"Nothing bad," she says, defensive. "I told her Edward left with Emmett and that he'd asked me to give her a ride home. No harm, no foul."

"Yes, Alice," I say, frustrated and hurt and flummoxed over it all. "It was foul. Now, yet again, Edward has to go home and tell the woman he loves that he was with me!"

"I was kinda hoping he'd go home and tell her something else entirely." She at least has the decency to look chagrined. "You guys didn't fix this shit?"

I slide up onto a bar stool and bow my head, elbows propped on laminate. "He was too wasted to have a real conversation last night and too guilt-ridden this morning. It was a dumb thing to do, Ali, and I wish you'd just butt out and let us find our own way back together."

Her huff is so loud I can hear it across the room. "When, B? I've sat back as long as my spot as your best friend will allow. You're miserable, he's miserable, and you're making Bree miserable." The legs of the stool beside me scrape against the tile, and she brushes my hair off my face. "Maybe last night's plan was a bust, but please promise me you won't drag this out much longer. You do want to be with him, right?"

I hesitate.

Of course, I want to be with him.

But the guilt.

It's crushing.

His.

Mine.

Ours.

Our.

The word sticks in my mind, and it unravels, bringing with it the best memories. Back to the times when there was an our, a time long before I broke it.

And it was beautiful.

"Bella," she barks when I take too long. "I know you didn't pick a c—"

"Yes, Alice," I snap, lifting my eyes to meet hers. "I want to be with Edward."

"Good." She relaxes before my very eyes. "As long as you both want it, then it'll happen."

She pulls my partly eaten plate over and shoves a sausage into her mouth, humming as she chews it up. "Damn, he skipped out before eating these?"

"Yeah." I'm more bummed about that than anything. I'd hoped I'd get the chance to be completely honest with him, admit my mistakes, and give him something to consider.

Another option.

A better one.

For him.

Me.

Maybe not for Bree.

But I can't think about her, or I'll never do what needs to be done. "It's okay, though. It should be me anyway. I'll go to him." I huff a breath. "One day."

"Hey." She pauses as she swallows her Eggo. "That's better than where you were yesterday, so I'll take it."

"I love you, Ali," I say, opening my arms.

She leans across and pulls me in for a tight hug. "I'm sorry about last night. I was trying to knock some sense into you two, but I guess I can see how it all went sideways."

"Eh." I wave her off. "It would've been okay if he'd been sober."

"Then make sure he is when you do go for it."

Her words send my mind spiraling again, trying to imagine a day when I do go to Edward and beg him to take me back.

And then, the worst possible outcome flashes to the forefront.

"I choose Bree."

It strikes fear in my gut.

I don't think I could accept it a second time.

And I won't ever have to unless I put my heart on the line.

BFF Alice being pushy for the win!

I have to say, it feels good to see mixed reviews on our duo. Some still loathe Bella, but others see how imperfect our Edward is as well.

Maybe they'll get it together soon!

See you one more time this week—unless I finish off these epis today. If I do, I may splurge with a Friday update as well :)