Part 148 (1/2)
down the hall. ”You're so grown-up,” Bev murmured. She gripped her
hands together to keep herself from reaching out to touch. ”It's hard
to believe-but you must be freezing.” Steadying, she took Emma's gloved
hand in hers. ”Come in, please.”
”You have plans.”
”A client's party. It's not important. I'd really like you to stay.”
Her fingers tightened on Emma's while her eyes searched almost hungrily
over the girl's face. ”Please.”
”Of course. For a few minutes.”
”I'll take your coat.”
They settled, like two polite strangers, in Bev's bright, s.p.a.cious
parlor.
”This is beautiful.” Emma pasted on a practiced smile. ”I'd heard you
were making a splash with decorating. I can see why.”
”Thank you.” Oh G.o.d, what should she say? What should she not say?
”My roommate and I bought a loft in New York. We're still having it
done.” She cleared her throat, glancing toward the fire smoldering in
the stone hearth. ”I had no idea it was so complicated. You always
made it look so easy.”
”New York,” Bev said, folding and unfolding her hands in her lap.
”You're living there now?”
”Yes. I'm going to NYCC. Photography.”
”Oh. Do you like it?”
”Very much.”
”Will you be in London long?”
”Until just after the first.”