Eclipse (Twilight, #3)

by Stephenie Meyer

“It’s bad,” I guessed. “It’s really bad, isn’t it?” I started to panic, my heart accelerating as I imagined the gorgeous immortal rival I’d never realized I had. “Calm down, Bella,” he said, kissing the tip of my nose. “You’re being absurd.” “Am I? Then why won’t you tell me?” “Because there’s nothing to tell. You’re blowing this wildly out of proportion.” “Which one?” I insisted. He sighed. “Tanya expressed a little interest. I let her know, in a very courteous, gentlemanly fashion, that I did not return that interest. End of story.” I kept my voice as even as possible. “Tell me something—what does Tanya look like?” “Just like the rest of us—white skin, gold eyes,” he answered too quickly. “And, of course, extraordinarily beautiful.” I felt him shrug. “I suppose, to human eyes,” he said, indifferent. “You know what, though?” “What?” My voice was petulant. He put his lips right to my ear; his cold breath tickled. “I prefer brunettes.”