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           "Actually,Ido.Afteryougetridofthem"-hethrewadarkglanceintheBlacks’direction-"youstillhavetoprepareCharlietomeetyournewboyfriend."Hegrinnedwidely,showingallofhisteeth.

           Igroaned."Thanksalot."

           HesmiledthecrookedsmilethatIloved."I’llbebacksoon,"hepromised.Hiseyesflickeredbacktotheporch,andthenheleanedintoswiftlykissmejustundertheedgeofmyjaw.Myheartlurchedfrantically,andI,too,glancedtowardtheporch.Billy’sfacewasnolongerimpassive,andhishandsclutchedatthearmrestsofhischair.

           "Soon,"IstressedasIopenedthedoorandsteppedoutintotherain.

           IcouldfeelhiseyesonmybackasIhalf-ranthroughthelightsprinkle

           towardtheporch.

           "Hey,Billy.Hi,Jacob."IgreetedthemascheerfullyasIcouldmanage."Charlie’sgonefortheday-Ihopeyouhaven’tbeenwaitinglong."

           "Notlong,"Billysaidinasubduedtone.Hisblackeyeswerepiercing."Ijustwantedtobringthisup."Heindicatedabrownpapersackrestinginhislap.

           "Thanks,"Isaid,thoughIhadnoideawhatitcouldbe."Whydon’tyoucomeinforaminuteanddryoff?"

           IpretendedtobeoblivioustohisintensescrutinyasIunlockedthedoor,andwavedtheminaheadofme.

           "Here,letmetakethat,"Ioffered,turningtoshutthedoor.IallowedmyselfonelastglanceatEdward.Hewaswaiting,perfectlystill,hiseyessolemn.

           "You’llwanttoputitinthefridge,"Billynotedashehandedmethepackage."It’ssomeofHarryClearwater’shomemadefishfry-Charlie’sfavorite.