Wicked Forest (DeBeers 2)

For a moment I thought he wasn't going to

reply. Then he smirked.

"Who do you think would be up this late? My

mother, of course.

"Oh. You sounded like you were arguing," I

said.

"She does that to me often, turn me into a tight

ball of nerves until I want to smash the phone against

the wall,"

He took a deep breath. "Is it about us?" I asked. "No, no. My sister is having a rather elaborate

birthday party for my niece tomorrow night. and

Mother dear is afraid I won't show up. Every birthday

party is bigger than the previous one, both in size and

expense. I don't know what they'll do for her

sixteenth. Probably rent the White House," he said.

"People here often compete using their children and

what they do for them, and my mother knows I'm not

terribly fond of being a part of all that. Anyway, why

are you making me talk about it?"

"I'm not making you. Thatcher. I just asked

because you sounded upset."

"Willow, when I'm with you. I don't remain

upset about anything very long," he said, moving

toward me. "Even if you wear the mask."

I laughed, and we kissed.

"Come on." he said. "We'd better get going.

Maybe we can manage to spend a whole weekend here together soon," he added, gazing around. "What

do you think?"

"Maybe," I said, without sounding too

optimistic. He studied my face for a moment, and