Wicked Forest (DeBeers 2)

"Page 402 in the textbook." Holden said dryly. "The footnote to therapy and art."

"Right. Very good. Holden," I said, and he beamed. Petula looked unimpressed and turned back to Linden. "Where did you go to school for art?" she asked him.

"CU," he replied.

"CU? Where's that?"

"Right here." he said, gesturing at the beachfront.

For a moment no one said anything, and then Petula got it. "You mean the sea. Sea U? This is your university?"

"And my universe," he said, glancing at me. "Nature has much more to tell you than any college professor," he added sternly, dropping the corners of his mouth.

"Oh. I like that." Loni squealed. "I like it a lot."

"Good, then become a beach babe and leave." Petula told her.

The maid arrived with our coffee and some chocolate biscuits. The conversation soon turned to my upcoming wedding. I had asked Loni and Pet to be bridesmaids, not because I had become so friendly with them as much as because I didn't want Bunny Eaton dominating the wedding party with her choices and guests. The twins were very excited about it and made me give them an update on the arrangements. They had already been fitted for their gowns and had seen mine. Both Holden and Linden looked like they were getting bored, and to my delight, Loni picked up on it quickly and asked Linden if he would show her his studio.

The request seemed to put him in a little panic, however. "I... don't think it's ready yet," he said.

"Oh, nonsense. ready-smeady. I just want to see where an artist works."

"I work out there." he said, sharply, and gestured at the sea again.

"But I thought... you have a studio. You said--"

"That's just-- I do most of my work out there." he said more calmly, then rose. "I've got to get back to my work. It was nice to meet you all. Good hick on your exams." He barely gave them time to respond, making it look as if he couldn't get away fast enough.

"Is he all right?" Pet asked first.

"Yes," I said "You know how artists can be moody and temperamental. Professor Fuentes said they spend so much of their time in the comfort of their imaginary worlds, they have little tolerance for the static and conflicts in the real world,"

"You quote him as if he were an internationally renowned philosopher," Pet said. "I don't remember half the things you do from his classes."

"She's just paying better attention than you are," Loni told her. "To what? The professor's words or the professor?" Pet asked with a playful smile.

I could feel myself blush.

"Oh, stop it. Pet. Willow is soon to be a married woman. She's not interested in another man."

"Yet," Pet muttered.

Holden raised his eyebrows and looked from her to me. "Let's get back to what's important." I suggested.

"I thought I was." Pet quipped. Loni laughed and I thought I detected a smile in Holden's eyes, but just for a moment, like a flash, something reflected and gone so quickly you weren't sure it was ever really there.

An hour later we ended, and they thanked me for hosting the session.

"In such beautiful surroundings. too." Loni said. "No wonder Linden calls it his university. I can't wait for your wedding. It will surely be the event of the season."

At this point. I simply can't wait for it to be over with," I said.

"Oh. I wouldn't be like that. I want to keep it forever and ever on the brink of happening." She leaned toward me so Holden couldn't hear. "Like an orgasm."

He did hear it. however. He had that beet-red look again.

"Get out of here, you idiot." I told her, and laughed. She and Pet said goodbye and started out. Holden lingered, gazing at the sea.