Сумерки

           Herslightframewaswillowy,gracefuleveninabsolutestillness.

           Hegreetedherwithoutlookingawayfromme."Alice."

           "Edward,"sheanswered,herhighsopranovoicealmostasattractiveashis.

           "Alice,Bella-Bella,Alice,"heintroducedus,gesturingcasuallywithhishand,awrysmileonhisface.

           "Hello,Bella."Herbrilliantobsidianeyeswereunreadable,buthersmilewasfriendly."It’snicetofinallymeetyou."

           Edwardflashedadarklookather.

           "Hi,Alice,"Imurmuredshyly.

           "Areyouready?"sheaskedhim.

           Hisvoicewasaloof."Nearly.I’llmeetyouatthecar."

           Sheleftwithoutanotherword;herwalkwassofluid,sosinuousthatIfeltasharppangofjealousy.

           "ShouldIsay’havefun,’oristhatthewrongsentiment?"Iasked,turningbacktohim.

           "No,’havefun’worksaswellasanything."Hegrinned.

           "Havefun,then."Iworkedtosoundwholehearted.OfcourseIdidn’tfoolhim.

           "I’lltry."Hestillgrinned."Andyoutrytobesafe,please."

           "SafeinForks-whatachallenge."

           "Foryouitisachallenge."Hisjawhardened."Promise."

           "Ipromisetotrytobesafe,"Irecited."I’lldothelaundrytonight-thatoughttobefraughtwithperil."

           "Don’tfallin,"hemocked.

           "I’lldomybest."

           Hestoodthen,andIrose,too.

           "I’llseeyoutomorrow,"Isighed.

           "Itseemslikealongtimetoyou,doesn’tit?"hemused.

           Inoddedglumly.

           "I’llbethereinthemorning,"hepromised,smilinghiscrookedsmile.Hereachedacrossthetabletotouchmyface,lightlybrushingalongmycheekboneagain.Thenheturnedandwalkedaway.