"But I'm not saying goodbye," I pointed out.
"Don't you see? That's what proves me right. I care the most; because if I can do it"—he shook his head, seeming to struggle with the thought—"if leaving is the right thing to do, then I'll hurt myself to keep from hurting you, to keep you safe."
I glared. "And you don't think I would do the same?"
"You'd never have to make the choice."
Abruptly, his unpredictable mood shifted again; a mischievous, devastating smile rearranged his features, devastating them into a new shape. "Of course, keeping you safe is beginning to feel like a full-time occupation that requires my constant presence."
"No one has tried to do away with me today, " I reminded him tersely, grateful for the lighter subject. I didn't want him to talk about goodbyes anymore. If I had to, I supposed I could purposefully put myself in danger to keep him close... I banished the thought before his quick eyes read it on my face. That idea would definitely get me in trouble, in more ways than one.
"Yet," he added.
"Yet," I agreed; I would have argued, but now I wanted him to be expecting disasters, all the time.234
"I have another question for you." His face was still casual.
"Shoot."
"Do you really need to go to Seattle Saturday, or was that just an excuse to get out of saying no to all your admirers?"
I made a face at the memory of all my admirers. "You know, I haven't forgiven you for the Tyler thing yet," I warned him. "It's your fault
234. Bella goes to the mall? More like Bella goes to the morgue.