She had it all planned out, had seen how the interaction would go, and Bella would ultimately bend to her will. So why was she still nervous?
As she waited in the car park for that ghastly orange truck to arrive, she struggled to keep her emotions in check. Jasper would never judge her and would support her decision, whatever she chose, but she couldn't risk letting him in on the details in case Edward was listening to his thoughts.
"Are you coming, darlin'?" His question caused the entire family to stop in their tracks and look back.
"I'll catch up with you, just need to ask Bella something," she hummed out.
Everyone seemed to accept this, apart from Edward, who just shook his head but continued towards the front door anyway.
Alice didn't have to wait long before the familiar choking sound of Bella's truck could be heard pulling into the car park. She couldn't hide the chuckle as the thought occurred to her how much her truck was a reflection of Bella's life. A little beat up, nothing flashy, and chugging along despite the little life it had left in it.
Bella clocked her immediately, although Alice figured she had been looking for someone else. Not letting that deter her, she approached Bella with her usual bouncy demeanor and laid the charm offensive on thick.
"Hey Bella! So you and I are going shopping and dinner this evening in Port Angeles! It's gonna be so much fun!"
Bella, clearly caught off guard, fumbled to find an excuse not to go. She hated shopping. "I can't...I can't tonight...I - "
"Nope" Alice replied, keeping a wide grin plastered across her face.
"but you see me and Charlie,"
"Nope! Try again"
"Yeah, but Charlie," seeing Alice shake her head defiantly, and knowing this would get her nowhere, Bella relented, sighing heavily. "What time?"
She wasn't expecting the vampire pixie to lurch forward and embrace her in a stony yet satisfying hug.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! You won't regret it! 4 pm, I'll pick you up at yours!" And with that, she spun on her heel, sticking her tongue out in satisfaction at a very disgruntled Edward, who was lingering by the front door, and leaving a very confused Bella frozen on the spot.