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           Hewasclearlyuncomfortable-excruciatinglyso.Hisfacewasapologeticashiseyesmetmine.

           Edwardsnarledveryquietly.

           "Behave!"Ihissed.

           Edward’svoicewasscathing."Hewantstochatwithyou."

           Jacobreachedusthen,theembarrassmentandapologyevenmoreevidentonhisface.

           "Hey,Bella,Iwashopingyouwouldbehere."Jacobsoundedlikehe’dbeenhopingtheexactopposite.Buthissmilewasjustaswarmasever.

           "Hi,Jacob."Ismiledback."What’sup?"

           "CanIcutin?"heaskedtentatively,glancingatEdwardforthefirsttime.IwasshockedtonoticethatJacobdidn’thavetolookup.HemusthavegrownhalfafootsincethefirsttimeI’dseenhim.

           Edward’sfacewascomposed,hisexpressionblank.Hisonlyanswerwastosetmecarefullyonmyfeet,andtakeastepback.

           "Thanks,"Jacobsaidamiably.

           Edwardjustnodded,lookingatmeintentlybeforeheturnedtowalkaway.

           Jacobputhishandsonmywaist,andIreacheduptoputmyhandsonhisshoulders.

           "Wow,Jake,howtallareyounow?"

           Hewassmug."Six-two."

           Weweren’treallydancing-mylegmadethatimpossible.Insteadweswayedawkwardlyfromsidetosidewithoutmovingourfeet.Itwasjustaswell;therecentgrowthspurthadlefthimlookingganglyanduncoordinated,hewasprobablynobetteradancerthanIwas.

           "So,howdidyouendupheretonight?"Iaskedwithouttruecuriosity.ConsideringEdward’sreaction,Icouldguess.

           "Canyoubelievemydadpaidmetwentybuckstocometoyourprom?"headmitted,slightlyashamed.

           "Yes,Ican,"Imuttered.