The evening was bittersweet as Paul stuck to her side like glue.
On one hand, it was just what she wished she could have done - introducing Paul for precisely what he was. And he was steadfast, owning his title proudly as he behaved more attentively toward her than he'd ever done, shocking all her school chums and their spouses. He seemed an entirely different man than he'd been when they all went out to dinner.
Mike, more than anyone, was both floored and almost fascinated by the situation, especially when Tyler asked if Leah and Jack were part of Bella's harem. That gave them all a good laugh, at least.
Bella couldn't understand Paul's motives. Why tonight? He could have waited to talk to her about wanting her to stay without announcing their dramatic history to the world. He could have done so without putting her on the spot.
Then again, his feelings for her had been noticeable, even if they hadn't seemed as such while in the moment. His aggravation at dinner, rescuing her from Devon and driving her drunken ass home, his blatant affection toward her at the bonfire, holding her and Jamie in his lap like Leah and Jack weren't even there - all of those things should have screamed at her how much he loved her and wanted her to stay, regardless to whether he said it aloud.
Wasn't he worried about the risks she imposed on his son, on his adoption status, or their mental health? She was far too selfish to deserve either of them.
Paul's wolf remained close to the surface all evening as though on constant high alert. Bella couldn't figure out why. Their situation hadn't required his wolf's interference. Had he worried what would happen if she'd drank with Mike again? Or that one of the Cullens might take the risk and show up? Or worse? Undoubtedly, if Alice still kept tabs on her, the Cullens knew she was here. Bella would have been in and out of Alice's 'sight' for over a week.
These thoughts only left Bella wondering about the Volturi. If there was anywhere they could find her, it was here. And perhaps Paul had worried about that too? If that were the case, why would he want her to stay? Why would he want her to risk jeopardizing others while she waited for that axe to fall?
Eventually, after making their way through the crowd several times, Bella convinced Paul to crawl out of her ass for ten minutes, then went to find Mike for the dances she'd promised.
Mike grinned as they reached the dance floor, subtly shaking his head at her.
"What?" Bella harrumphed. "Let me have it. Whatever you're thinking, I probably deserve it."
He laughed. "It wasn't anything bad. Just wondering how he let you stay away for seven years. It's obvious the guy is nuts about you. I would have seen it the other night had I paid attention.."
She released a breathy, involuntary laugh as she nodded. "Yeah. I thought the same thing just a little while ago. Paul has changed so much…"
"Not his heart, though." Mike spun her around.
Bella laughed as he caught her and spun back in the opposite direction. "What do you mean by that?"
"Well…" He hesitated as if trying to find the right words. "I don't know the guy well, okay? If you say he's changed, I believe that. But, if he didn't love you just as much as he does now, he'd have found someone else. I think he regrets letting you go. And I can't blame the guy."
She shook her head. "I've never understood what any of you see in me…"
She shrieked in surprise and then cackled as he suddenly dipped her low enough her hair brushed the floor. Mike pulled her upright as though she weighed nothing, gracefully resuming their dance.
"You held out on me the other night," she said, glancing down at his feet.
"Guy's gotta keep something up his sleeve," Mike teased. "Looks like Paul's pulling out all the stops, though. Sometimes, it's all or nothing."
Huh. Logical thoughts from Mike Fucking Newton. Who knew?
She asked, "So, uh… does that mean there are some lingering feelings for you and someone else, too?"
Bella pointedly turned them and nodded toward where Jessica sat, prattling in Angela's ear. Mike's cheeks reddened as he tried not to grin.
"W-what makes you ask that?"
"I saw you two, Mr. First Beach Parking Lot."
Mike blushed down to his chest as he threw his head back and laughed, simultaneously groaning, "Oh man…"
"It's fine. I was actually pretty amused by it. It made me feel a little less guilty. I was leaving there to go home with Paul."
They laughed as he spun her again and pulled her into a hug, continuing to sway as she hugged him back tightly, more than a little relieved at how well their conversation was going.
Through laughter, he asked, "Do me a favor and keep that hush-hush."
"I don't know if you know this yet, but I'm great with secrets."
Mike kissed her cheek before pulling away to begin another dance as the song changed.
A loud groan and the sound of chairs scraping the floor grabbed the attention of half the room. Recognizing the following rush of complaints, Mike and Bella turned toward their table. Quil and Jessica stood on either side of Angela, who looked like she was attempting to catch her breath. Bella and Mike sent each other a worried glance before rushing toward them, rudely shoving others out of the way to reach their friend. Paul stood across from the table, already on the phone.
Bella asked, "What's happening."
Jessica shouted, "Angie's water just burst out of fucking nowhere!"
Quil chuckled. "Out of nowhere? Jess? She's been ready to burst for two weeks!"
Angela reached up to fist the front of Quil's shirt and jerked on it as she said, "Not. Helping."
Quil met Bella's gaze and tried not to chuckle, but his expression practically screamed, 'Here we go.'
Paul said, "Ambulance is on the way, Ang. What can we do for you, sweetheart?"
Angie glared up at where she still held Quil's shirt and said, "Get me home before the ambulance arrives. I wanted to do a home birth, damn it!"
Paul chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh no. The hospital is closer, and if this goes anything like last time…"
Angie released Quil to grab the sides of her belly and grit her teeth.
Bella asked, "Was labor with little Quil difficult?"
Quil said, "Nope. Just really fast. She's got them birthin' hips."
Angie growled, "Shut the fuck up about my birthing hips before I cut off your favorite arm."
Quil turned his hips, subconsciously protecting his crotch. "How long, Paul?"
Paul snorted. "A few more minutes, buddy." He glanced under the table. "One of us should probably go find a mop."
Jessica cringed. "Don't the paramedics do that?"
Angela groaned. "They're EMT's, Jess. Not janitors."
Jessica put her hands up in peace. "Okay. Okay. Sorry… Mike, help me find the janitor's closet. It's been ten fucking years."
Bella and Mike glanced at each other and chuckled as she patted his arm. "Go on, buddy. You remember how to work those old pipes, right?"
Mike grinned at her ruefully, winked, and whispered, "I bet it's all in the same place, too."
She watched them walk away, wondering where Jessica's wife was. Speaking of which… "Hey, guys? Where the hell did Jack and Leah go?"
Quil said, "Probably fucking in whatever classroom you and Paul snuck off to."
Bella blushed. Paul tried not to laugh as Quil added, "I can smell you both from here, even with the puddle of baby goo on the floor."
Angela actually chuckled at that, thankfully between contractions. "They might be in the parking lot. Your car, maybe?"
Bella groaned as she remembered Jack had the keys. "Fuck."
She turned to leave, and Paul asked, "Where are you going?"
"To make sure they're not fucking in the car when the ambulance gets here so they don't get arrested for public indecency by my Dad."
"I'll do it." Paul laughed. "I run faster than you." Bella shook her head as she watched Paul jog toward the doors.
Quil said, "Angela, would you like to…"
"I am not walking to the front and leaving a dripping trail across the gymnasium! If I have to go through the embarrassment of riding in the wahmbulance, they can pick my ass up right here, Quil."
Bella laughed as Quil rolled his eyes and sighed.