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In my head, I went through the conversation again… .
Renée and I ambled along the sidewalk, trying to stay in the
range of the infrequent palm tree shadows. Though it was
early, the heat was smothering. The air was so heavy with
moisture that just breathing in and out was giving my lungs a
workout.
“Bella?” my mother asked, looking out past the sand to the
lightly crashing waves as she spoke.
“What is it, Mom?” She sighed, not meeting my gaze. “I’m
worried… .” “What’s wrong?” I asked, anxious at once. “What
can I do?” “It’s not me.” She shook her head. “I’m worried
about you … and Edward.” Renée finally looked at me when
she said his name, her face apologetic. “Oh,” I mumbled,
fixing my eyes on a pair of joggers as they passed us, drenched
with sweat. “You two are more serious than I’d been
thinking,” she went on.
I frowned, quickly reviewing the last two days in my head.
Edward and I had barely touched
- in front of her, at least. I wondered if Renée was about to
give me a lecture on responsibility, too. I didn’t mind that the
way I had with Charlie. It wasn’t embarrassing with my mom.
After all, I’d been the one giving her that lecture time and time
again in the last ten years.
“There’s something … strange about the way you two are
together,” she murmured, her forehead creasing over her
troubled eyes. “The way he watches you - it’s so … protective.
Like he’s about to throw himself in front of a bullet to save
you or something.”
I laughed, though I was still not able to meet her gaze. “That’s
a bad thing?”
“No.” She frowned as she struggled for the words. “It’s just
different . He’s very intense about you … and very careful. I
feel like I don’t really understand your relationship. Like
there’s some secret I’m missing… .”
“I think you’re imagining things, Mom,” I said quickly,
struggling to keep my voice light. There was a flutter in my