straw in a haystack！〃
He and Emmett exchanged a glance and a smirk。
This made no sense。 〃But they can find you；〃 I reminded him。
〃And I can take care of myself。〃
Emmett laughed； and reached across the table toward his brother； extending a
fist。
〃Excellent plan； my brother；〃 he said with enthusiasm。
Edward stretched out his arm to smack Emmett's fist with his own。
〃No；〃 Rosalie hissed。
〃Absolutely not；〃 I agreed。
〃Nice。〃 Jasper's voice was appreciative。
〃Idiots；〃 Alice muttered。
Esme just glared at Edward。
I straightened up in my chair； focusing。 This was my meeting。
〃All right； then。 Edward has offered an alternative for you to consider；〃 I
said coolly。 〃Let's vote。〃
I looked toward Edward this time； it would be better to get his opinion out of
the way。 〃Do you want me
to join your family？〃
His eyes were hard and black as flint。 〃Not that way。 You're staying human。〃
I nodded once； keeping my face businesslike； and then moved on。
〃Alice？〃
〃Yes。〃
〃Jasper？〃
〃Yes；〃 he said； voice grave。 I was a little surprised—I hadn't been at all
sure of his vote—but I
suppressed my reaction and moved on。
〃Rosalie？〃
She hesitated； biting down on her full； perfect bottom lip。 〃No。〃
I kept my face blank and turned my head slightly to move on； but she held up
both her hands； palms
forward。
〃Let me explain；〃 she pleaded。 〃I don't mean that I have any aversion to you
as a sister。 It's just that
this is not the life I would have chosen for myself。 I wish there had been
someone there to vote no for
me。〃
I nodded slowly； and then turned to Em