of inconsequential things over dinner. Marisa mentioned she was getting a raise the first of the year; Edward said he was thinking of buying a new car.
"Would you like to go to a movie?" Edward asked as they left the restaurant.
"Sure, why not?"
They drove uptown. Marisa gazed out the window, admiring the lights and decorations that adorned the houses. Hard to believe it was almost Christmas, that another year was drawing to a close.
"You know, I still can't believe it was real," she remarked as Edward parked the car. "It all seems so bizarre."
"I know. Sometimes I can't believe it myself."
He got out of the car and came around to open her door. "It's just so unreal. I mean, here we are, going to the movies as if it had never happened. I can't believe that just two weeks ago, we were fighting a vampire. Tell me," she said as they walked toward the theater. "How do people get in touch with you? You don't advertise in the phone book, do you?"
He laughed at that. "Not quite. It's mostly just word of mouth. There are people throughout the country who know what I do. When they hear of unusual killings, they notify me."
He bought two tickets for the latest Mel Gibson movie and they went inside. "Popcorn?" he asked.
Marisa shook her head. "Not right now. I'm still full from dinner."
"Yeah, that lobster was almost as big as you are."
Marisa grinned at him.
They held hands in the show, went out for ice cream afterward.
"Thanks," Marisa said when they reached her apartment. "I had a really nice time."
"Me too. Maybe we can do it again."
"I'd like, that." She looked up at him and knew he was going to kiss her good night. "Marisa - " He put his arms around her and drew her close. There was nothing tentative in his movements now, no hesitation.
Marisa closed her eyes as his mouth covered hers. It was a pleasant kiss, evoking neither passion nor revulsion.
"Good night," lie whispered.
"Good night. And thank you for a nice time."
He nodded. "See ya."
"See ya."
She watched him get into his car and drive away, and still she stood on the landing, staring into the distance, at the twinkling lights on the houses across the way, at the twinkling stars overhead.
She wished that she could love Edward, but she didn't feel passion for him, only affection. Maybe it was the age difference. After all, he was eighteen years older than she was, she mused, and then laughed out loud. Grigori was two hundred years older than she was and she didn't have any trouble whipping up a grand passion for him.
She crossed her arms over the railing and let out a long, slow sigh. Was that why she was feeling so melancholy? Because she missed him?
"Might as well admit it," she muttered. "Vampire or not, you're in love with him. But that's all right. You'll get over it."
"Get over what?"
She whirled around, her heart in her throat, at the sound of his voice. "What are you doing here?"
"I come here every night."
"What?"
"You heard me."
"What for?"
He lifted one dark brow in an all too familiar gesture. "Why the hell do you think?"
"I told you I don't want you here."
"I stopped doing what other people tell me to do a long time ago."
"Well, it's late. Good night."
"Sweet dreams, Marisa."
"Stay out of my dreams!" Unlocking the door, she went inside and slammed it shut behind her, only to find him waiting for her when she turned around.
"Marisa."
"Oh! I hate it when you do that." She threw her purse on the chair, and then crossed her arms over her chest. "What do you want?"
"I want you."
"Well, that's too bad."
"Tell me you don't want me."
"I don't want you."
"Liar."
She glared up at him, all her anger and frustration boiling to the surface. Before she realized what she was doing, she slapped him.
The solid smack of her hand striking his flesh seemed to echo and re-echo in the stillness that fell between them.
She stared at him, horrified by what she had done, by what he might do in retaliation.
"Feel better?" he asked quietly.
"No." She blinked back the tears welling in her eyes. "Please leave me alone."
"I can't."
"Why? Why are you doing this?"
"I told you. I want you."
"I can't. I don't believe in casual affairs."
"Is that what you think I want?"
"I don't know. I don't want to know."
"Marisa..."
His voice moved over her, whisper quiet, whisper soft. She shook her head, her heart fluttering like a kite