Сумерки

           Hestillhadhisfaceinhishand,andhewasasstillasifhe’dbeencarvedfromthestonehisskinresembled.

           Finallyhelookedup,hiseyesseekingmine,fullofhisownquestions.

           "Areyoureadytogohome?"heasked.

           "I’mreadytoleave,"Iqualified,overlygratefulthatwehadthehour-longridehometogether.Iwasn’treadytosaygoodbyetohim.

           Thewaitressappearedasifshe’dbeencalled.Orwatching.

           "Howarewedoing?"sheaskedEdward.

           "We’rereadyforthecheck,thankyou."Hisvoicewasquiet,rougher,stillreflectingthestrainofourconversation.Itseemedtomuddleher.Helookedup,waiting.

           "S-sure,"shestuttered."Hereyougo."Shepulledasmallleatherfolderfromthefrontpocketofherblackapronandhandedittohim.

           Therewasabillinhishandalready.Heslippeditintothefolderandhandeditrightbacktoher.

           "Nochange."Hesmiled.Thenhestoodup,andIscrambledawkwardlytomyfeet.

           Shesmiledinvitinglyathimagain."Youhaveaniceevening."

           Hedidn’tlookawayfrommeashethankedher.Isuppressedasmile.

           Hewalkedclosebesidemetothedoor,stillcarefulnottotouchme.IrememberedwhatJessicahadsaidaboutherrelationshipwithMike,howtheywerealmosttothefirst-kissstage.Isighed.Edwardseemedtohearme,andhelookeddowncuriously.Ilookedatthesidewalk,gratefulthathedidn’tseemtobeabletoknowwhatIwasthinking.

           Heopenedthepassengerdoor,holdingitformeasIsteppedin,shuttingitsoftlybehindme