I twisted anxiously on the red leather-covered barstool, swinging my feet in the air in anticipation. I hated to be in this room full of humans when my eyes were so dark, but I had never tasted human blood, and I wasn't about to change that now. Besides, I knew this was where he would be.

When the rain picked up, I felt an anxious knot in my stomach. I had seen him coming in my vision with his golden hair saturated with moisture from the torrent. I concentrated very hard on all aspects of him: his blonde hair that seemed to catch strands of pure sunlight; his smooth, flawless body, which I appreciated even when it was concealed under clothing; his perfect mouth, which was turned into a perpetual frown. I wished he weren't so unhappy, and I hoped I would be enough to change that.

Then, a blast of wet air gusted into the tiny Philadelphia diner. I looked up expectantly, and there he was. I stopped breathing. In real life, he was even more beautiful than in my subjective visions. His eyes, blacker than mine, darted uncomfortably around the room. Then he caught my gaze. I smiled widely, motioning for him to come.

"You've kept me waiting a long time," I accused, that being the only thing I could think of to say. It was true though; I wasn't sure if he was ever going to show up.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," he apologized in a mumble.

For a second, I closed my eyes, concentrating on his future, my future, our future. And I saw us together, his hand curled protectively around mine. So I smiled kindly at him, hopped off the barstool, and held out my slender hand. He stared at it for a moment, and I sensed his heart warring with his mind in him. But his heart prevailed, and he took it. His skin felt just like I knew it would.

"I'm Jasper Whitlock, ma'am," he offered with a little bow.

"Alice Brandon," I responded, laughing a little at his chivalrous gesture. "I have so much to tell you!"

"Well, if you'd like" —Jasper dropped his voice to a low murmur that no humans could pick up— "we could have forever to talk." I was elated by his obvious willingness to go—and stay—with me.

"Forever sounds nice," I agreed. We walked together into the pouring rain, his hand curled protectively around mine, just like I'd known we would.