小说园

第30部分（第2页）

Chablis。〃

Anne　didnt　know　what　to　say　to　that；　but　his　good　humor　was　infectious。

She　relaxed　in　his　arms　and　rested　her　hands　on　his　chest。

〃How　about　it？〃　he　coaxed　softly。　〃New　Years　Eve　here？〃

〃I　dont　know；　Mitch。　This　thing　is　so　bizarre。〃

〃Are　you　afraid？〃　His　hands　drew　light　circles　on　her　back。

〃A　little。〃

〃Of　me？〃

She　was　acutely　aware　of　the　swell　of　his　broad　chest　beneath　her　palms。

〃No。〃　She　eyed　the　ribbed　pattern　of　his　sweater；　and　whispered；　〃Of

me。〃

〃You　have　nothing　to　fear；　Annie；〃　he　assured　her　gently。　He　took　her

chin　with　his　fingers　and　tipped　up　her　face。　It　was　the　closest

physically　that　theyd　been　since　that　first　day。　〃I　know　what　my　own

needs　are　right　now；　and　they　dont　include　making　things　harder　for

you。　By　helping　you　through　New　Years；　I　may　just　help　myself；　so

theres　a　selfish　motive　involved。〃

She　nearly　drowned　in　the　deep；　deep　green　of　his　eyes。

〃So；　what　do　you　say？〃　he　asked。

〃I　say　this　is　starting　to　sound　like　a　Neil　Simon　script。〃　She　wanted

reassurance　that　meeting　again　was　right。　She　wanted　him　to　say；　Theres

reason　why　that　script　made　millions　for　the　guy；　its　a　damned　good

plot；　it　makes　a　whole　lot　of　sense。

But　Mitch　only　shrugged。　Dropping　his　arms；　he　moved　back。　〃Its　your

choice。　Ill　be　here　anyway。〃

She　hated　the　sudden　sound　of　indifference；　but　it　made　it　easier　to

leave。　When　he　opened　the　door；　she　slipped　behind　the　wheel。

〃Drive　carefully；〃　he　said。

〃I　will。〃　Backing　the　car　around；　she　straightened　the　wheel。　She　gave

Mitch　a　last；　longing　glance　before　putting　a　foot　on　the　gas。　The　car

had　barely　moved　forward　when　his　voice　echoed　in　the　winter　wood。

〃Hey；　wait！〃

She　braked。　His　long…legged　gait　quickly　brought　him　alongside　the　car。

His　breath　misted　the　air　when　he　leaned　into　the　window。

〃Dont　forget　to　pack　a　dress。　Well　be　going　out。〃　He　grinned　and

popped　a　featherlight　kiss　on　the　tip　of　her　nose。　〃Now；　go；　before　the

snow　gets　here。〃

She　went。

Thanksgiving　wasnt　nearly　as　bad　as　Anne　had　expected。　She　spent　it　at