Part 201 (1/2)

transition from bride to wife.

She had the limo driver take them through midtown so she could show Drew

the lights, the people, the majestic tree in Rockefeller Center, the

carnival of Times Square.

It delighted her to arrive at the loft knowing she was alone. Finally

alone, with no Sweeney in residence downstairs.

”It feels like years since I've been here.” She knew Marianne's father

had complained bitterly over their refusal to sublet, but she was glad,

so glad to know that no one had lived there in her absence.

”Well?” She combed her fingers through her damp hair. ”What do you

think?”

”It's quite a s.p.a.ce.” He skimmed over the plaster walls, the bare

floors, the kitschy china owl Emma had discovered in a neighborhood

thrift shop. ”A bit ... spartan.”

”Wait until I start decorating for Christmas. Marianne and I collected

some truly awful decorations.” She fumbled in her bag for a tip when the

driver deposited their luggage with a discreet cough. ”Thank you.”

He pocketed the twenty. ”Thank you, ma'am. Merry Christmas.”

”Merry Christmas.” She tossed off her coat and raced to the windows.

”Drew, come look at the view. It's better from Marianne's studio, but I

get dizzy.”

”Very nice.” He saw a dirty street and a maddening crush of traffic.

”'Emma, I wonder why you never moved into something more upscale.”

”I never wanted to.”

”Well, this is certainly charming, and I'm sure it was fine for two

college girls. But we'll have to do some rethinking.” When she turned,