"Where?"
"I didn't want to mention it earlier," I said. "But the publicity stuff, it starts next week."
"It does?" she said with obvious surprise. "Why didn't you say so?"
"You want the truth?"
She nodded. "Definitely."
"I didn't want to put you through that."
"Through what?"
"The hassle, the questions, the lies. I knew you'd hate it."
She laughed. "Since when isthata factor?"
"From now on."
"But wait, isn't that what you were paying me for in the first place?"
"Forget that deal," I said. "It's done. Remember?" A sudden recollection made me pause. "But hang on. I got you something."
"You did? When?"
"The day we ran into Mackenzie."
"Oh, sothat'swhere you went? When you ran that errand?"
With a nod, I got out of bed and rummaged on the floor for the pants I'd been wearing last night. I'd brought the item along with me, intending to give it to her at the restaurant.
But with everything else, it had slipped my mind. With my back to Anna, I reached into the pocket and pulled out the thing I was looking for.
I looked over my shoulder and said, "Close your eyes."
"Why?"
"Because it's a surprise."
She gave a dramatic groan. "Oh, no."
I had to smile. "What'sthatabout?"
"Well, every time I've surprisedyou, it's been awful."
I knew what she meant.The waffles.
Funny she should mention that.
I tried to glower. "You know, your eyes are still open."
When she finally shut them, I returned to the bed and reached for her wrist. I secured the bracelet around it and said, "All right. You can open them now."
She looked to her wrist and burst out laughing. "Oh, my God. It's so…"
I smiled. "Disturbing?"
"Wonderful," she breathed. As she spoke, she lifted her wrist, making the platinum charm bracelet catch the morning light. With a huge smile, she asked, "Where'd you get this?"
