I follow his old Wrangler to the diner. There aren't many cars there as predicted. He slings his book bag over his shoulder when he exits and waits for me while I gather mine.
"How did you know it wouldn't be busy?" I ask as we walk to the door.
"I know people."
He opens the door for me. Warm air greets us on the inside. Not hot, but nice. It takes the chill off. A female voice radiates across the restaurant and when I look up a petite woman throws her arms open. I thought it was for me, but Emmett embraces her. "Bella, this is my mom, Wendy. Mom, this is Bella."
She holds out her hand and I take it. "Nice to meet you, Bella."
"Likewise."
"We're going to study." Emmett says smiling down at her.
I can't believe a woman that small gave birth to a muscle mass like him.
She directs us to the corner booth. Way more room than we need. We spread out our papers and books. He orders a hamburger and I just want fries. Too much food will distract me from what we're here to do. He finishes in four bites then his attention is mine.
We go over atomic theory and the presentation Edward gave, including our experiment. I don't know how he doesn't understand. The sky is darkening. Customers come and go while we drink our Cokes. Mrs. McCarty brings us refill after refill and supplies more fries than I can stand. I give up. Emmett eats mine, drowning them in ketchup. I don't expect him to be like this. Nice. Smiling. He surprises me and I can finally loosen the restraint.
The door dings for the millionth time. I don't look up.
Emmett drums his pencil on his book. "Speak of the devil."
Edward is there. A form of magic. He meets me across the space, our eyes touching gently. My heart shifts. Calm to erratic. He's not alone. A blond is with him. Young and beautiful. She puts everything around her to shame in a black suit. He smiles. His eyes shift to Emmett. The smile falls. He's stepping toward us.