The nice part is that it gets cold and snows and then it stays that way for four or five months,” I said. I hoped I was being believable. “Here, y...ou never know if you need sunglasses or a sled!”“That’s what makes it so interesting here,” Susan said. “I don’t suppose you found my necklace, did you?”“No. I don’t think I’ve found anything of yours here,” I said. A little too subtle for her to get, I think.“What are you going to do with the computers?”“Oh, Georgia locked them all with an. My parents spent a lot of money furnishing the house the way they wanted it, and I got a new bedroom set: a four poster bed, with a matching dresser, chest of drawers and all new linen. I also had my own private bathroom, which was definitely an unaccustomed luxury.I used my free time that summer to full advantage, sunning myself at the Elks' pool on Main Street and getting to know a few kids my age. The three of us also went on exploratory outings to many of the local historical sites, like. D’you like it?”Carlos’s mouth twisted with distaste.“It’s absolutely foul. Disgusting. Pretentious as fuck. Obscene.”They looked at each other. She tried not to laugh and he smiled the smile that made her stomach hurt in the best way.“He has a solo show opening Monday,” she said finally. “At the Sanderson Gallery. I just – I don’t know. It’s better stuff than this. Couldn’t you go?”“Why?” Carlos frowned. “So you feel less guilty for fucking me?”“Carlos – look,”“No, you look. Art is as much. Cindy scooted over and sat between my thighs, her back against my chest. "Aren't you going to blow out the candles?" she asked."Not yet. I want to look at you in this light." I slipped my hand between the mattress and headboard to confirm the object I had hidden there was still within my grasp. Slipping my arm around her waist I began kissing and nuzzling her shoulder and the base of her neck."That feels nice," she said softly. "I like your arm around me. Nick -- I don't need any more. Tonight.