...the blame is on me…
"Do you want to come in?"
I regret the words as soon as they are out my mouth. I cannot invite him in. It is against the rules, and I barely know him.
Yet, I want his answer to be yes.
"Daddy won't mind?" he asks, already shutting off the car.
"Daddy isn't here," I tell him, sliding out the car and closing the door. He follows me, silently hovering as I fetch my keys. I enter my modest home, and he follows suit.
I lead him into the kitchen, dropping my bag on an empty chair.
"Do you want something? Lemonade or —"
"Lemonade's fine," he says. I don't turn around as I fetch the glass. It feels good to be busy and distract myself from the extremely attractive boy in my kitchen. I go into the fridge and pull out the fresh lemonade I made last night.
I make my way to counter and pour a healthy amount into the cup, feeling the condensation immediately form on the outside of the cup.
Edward steps close behind me. I freeze as his chest lightly touches my back, his heat seeping into my shirt and warming my skin. I turn immediately, confused by his sudden intrusion.
He is so close to me. Closer than any boy has been before. I can see the gold flecks around his iris and I'm scared to look anywhere else but his eyes.
His eyelids droop suddenly as he stares at my lips. My heart is beating hard, and I can't hear anything other than the rush of blood that seems to pulse just underneath my ears. I hold my breath, and then I hear it.
Keys turning in the lock of my front door. I snap my head toward the sound, dread setting into my posture. Edward notices my tense shoulders and takes a step back. I expect to see panic on his face too or at least a bit of trepidation in his eyes, but he's as cool as ever.
My father walks into the room, looking distracted.
"Whose car is in the drivew—" his words stop short when he sees us, standing in the kitchen. Words catch in my throat as I try to think up as an explanation.
Calm as ever, Edward takes the lead.
"Hello, Mr. Swan. That's my car. I hope I'm not bothering. Bella invited me in for only a moment. She offered me lemonade," he says, leaning too close to my body and grabbing the cup of lemonade behind me. I give a nervous smile as he pulls away and takes a sip.
"Well, that was mighty nice of you, but I think it's time you leave now," my father says, sounding gruff. Edward nods and hands me the half empty cup.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Bella. Mr. Swan, sir," Edward says with a mock salute, sauntering out the room. I breathe slowly out my mouth.
"Hi, Daddy."
I'm so glad everyone is enjoying this. I know we have some mixed feelings about Bella and Edward, but, well, we'll see more of their character as the story progresses. One more chap for today.
-T