We rejoined Betty and Nigel. They said we were careless. Through a glance at Edward, I knew we didn't really care much. I loved the time with him alone.
On the way back, I walked ahead with Betty. She kept telling me more about courting and that I had to keep my distance. Especially when I would meet Edward's father. That was a brutal wake up call.
That Saturday evening found me in Edward's car on the way to his house. I was a nervous wreck. Not even when I met Carlisle and Esme had I been so worried, but then again these were his real parents. If I wanted to stay here they had to like me and allow me to be with their son.
"Stop fretting, Bella," Edward whispered, taking my hand.
He had been overly touchy since our walk in the park, but only when we were alone. And that was rare.
"I'm worried. He doesn't like me very much and if I do something stupid, he'd hate me," I rambled.
"No one can hate you," he insisted softly. "Are you ready?" he added after parking in front of his house.
I gulped. I wanted to tell him to take me back to Ruth's so I could hide under my bed. "As I'll ever be," I mumbled.
He chuckled quietly and jumped out of the car. I waited for him to open my door and help me out. On the way to his house, he didn't touch me but I could tell he wanted to do it. His twitchy fingers gave him away.
Edward opened the front door and stepped aside allowing me to step inside first. "I'll be right there," he whispered in my ear.
That gave me courage and I went inside with a light heart and a tight stomach.