.
I can't believe this woman. She's dining, light and early with the Cullens. Isa is conversing about French dress sizes with my sister and doing some Freud-talk with Jasper, all the while keeping up with my mother's drinking and my father's ego by asking him about the incredible, Messiah-like work he's done as director of the Sacred Heart hospital.
I'm wondering how she just knows all of this stuff.
Laurent was right about her being thorough, at least.
"I'm sorry about the name," I whisper into her ear. Her salad has been halfway finished for over ten minutes. But I guess she's stalling, since Alice barely even touched her plate and my mother is too busy babbling about her next luncheon to eat.
"I forgot I wrote it down on my calendar when Mom came over the other day. She saw it…"
I get a little melodic chuckle as her left hand glides over the table, and drapes over my own.
"It's okay, don't worry about it. It happens," she shrugs.
I gulp down some of my wine. It's too dry for my taste, but daddy knows best, doesn't he?
Loosen up.
"Oh, darling," Mom starts, gazing down at our hands on top of the table. God, fuck, no. She's got that look on her face. Then she touches my dad's arm. "Wouldn't Grandma Elizabeth's ring look devine on Isabella? The blue of that sapphire against her alabaster skin…" It's as if Mother has stars in her eyes.
I swear Isa's not even fazed.
"Why, Mrs—Esme…" she starts. Her cheeks are a bit flushed, again, making her look just that tad more human. Believable. I'll have to remember to thank Laurent after all.
"Mom, please…" My sister jumps in. Her eyes are on her own wedding set, diamonds and gold glistening in the restaurant's mood lighting. She didn't even want my grandmother's heirloom, saying platinum does no favors for her coloring. I bet now my mother is offering her mother's ring to someone else, the jealousy is kicking in. "You're scaring the poor thing with your forwardness." I can tell by the gleam in her green eyes she's not done. Because Alice doesn't do kindness, unless there's something in it for her, too. "I mean…" she continues. "Isn't she the first one we've been introduced to in like a full decade?" I'm surprised she can arch her brows that high with all the botox that's injected into her face. "What makes you think that Edward will marry her?"
I swear I can hear Isa grunt, but disguises it as a snicker.
When I'm ready to jump in, and call my sister a diabolical snake, I feel Isa's palm resting on the back of my hand.
"I haven't taken anyone to meet my parents ever since I moved out of the house," Isa starts. "It's a lot of pressure on a new couple, to submit something new to the people who love you the most. I have to admit, it's my fault that he hasn't told you guys about me." I swear this girl should be offered some kind of award for her acting. "He kept asking me to meet his family, but I wanted to hold off a little since I didn't want anyone to think I wasn't in this for anything else than the kind heart of this man…I truly never met anyone like Edward before. The past couple of months have only brought us closer."
I swallow thickly, Isa's deep brown eyes swimming with emotion, and I can't help but wonder if she's talking about something she has experienced in her personal life.
"Months?" Alice jumps in. Yeah, sister, I'm as surprised as you are. And I'm hoping Isa has more lies to help us through this inquisition of Spanish proportions.
"Alice, please, I didn't go all Sherlock Holmes on you when you told me you wanted to marry Jasper after dating him for only three months, did I?" I can't help it.
"No one's talking about marriage, so I really don't think you need to get so defensive," Jasper chimes in. Always the voice of reason, when he can use his skills to calm his wife down.
"Let's keep this a civil affair, kids." Of course, Dad is the one able to shut the both of us up successfully.
If only he knew how civil this affair was.
Then, my father gets a phone call, excusing himself from the table. Awkward silence almost suffocates me, while around us there's laughter and smiles.
"Tell me, dear," Mom starts. "What is it that you do?" The smile is genuine. As is my fear. God…
"I'm a counselor," Isa answers without any hesitation.
It's vague enough for my mother not to ask any more questions. But Jasper's ears seem to peek up like a cat's when it's dinner time.
"What's your field of expertise?" he asks.
I almost feel the intensity of my heartbeat echoing against my eardrums.
"A lot of people I see struggle with mental and sexual health," Isa starts. It's like she dropped a bomb. I can tell my mom loves the idea, and Alice? She's smirking like she's about to start laughing uncontrollably.
"My brother and the sex therapist…Now that's something I never saw coming."
"You're the one who married the psychiatrist, Sister."
It's the best comeback I've had in years.