got it。 'Bye。〃
Jacob hung up on me。
I sighed and let my head hang back； staring at the ceiling。 〃That's going to
be a problem。〃
Alice squeezed my hand。 〃They aren't excited I'm here。〃
〃Not especially。 But it's none of their business anyway。〃
Alice put her arm around me。 〃So what do we do now？〃 she mused。 She seemed to
talk to herself for a
moment。 〃Things to do。 Loose ends to tie。〃
〃What things to do？〃
Her face was suddenly careful。 〃I don't know for sure I need to see
Carlisle。〃
Would she leave so soon？ My stomach dropped。
〃Could you stay？〃 I begged。 〃Please？ For just a little while。 I've missed you
so much。〃 My voice broke。
〃If you think that's a good idea。〃 Her eyes were unhappy。
〃I do。 You can stay here—Charlie would love that。〃
〃I have a house； Bella。〃
I nodded； disappointed but resigned。 She hesitated； studying me。
〃Well； I need to go get a suitcase of clothes； at the very least。〃
I threw my arms around her。 〃Alice； you're the best！〃
〃And I think I'll need to hunt。 Immediately；〃 she added in a strained voice。
〃Oops。〃 I took a step back。
〃Can you stay out of trouble for one hour？〃 she asked skeptically。 Then；
before I could answer； she held
up one finger and closed her eyes。 Her face went smooth and blank for a few
seconds。
And then her eyes opened and she answered her own question。 〃Yes； you'll be
fine。 For tonight；
anyway。〃 She grimaced。 Even making faces； she looked like an angel。
〃You'll e back？〃 I asked in a small voice。
〃I promise—one hour。〃
I glanced at the clock over the kitchen table。 She laughed and leaned in
quickly to kiss me