The room was very cold when they got up, so they dressed quickly. SarahBeth shivered as she pulled on her jeans. "The next time you see your big important friends," she said, "see if you can get us another blanket."
He laughed. "Some of them are related to you, so how did they get to be my 'big important friends'?"
"Because they like you," she said, pulling on a sweatshirt. She came over and pressed herself against him. "Warm me up," she said.
He held her close with one arm and rubbed her with the other, periodically alternating until she said, "Okay," and went to her duffle bag.
"Do you have a winter coat?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No, but I can wear a couple of sweaters and I'll be fine." She pulled one out and put it on. "I got through last winter without a coat, I can survive this one, too."
"Well, if I see an unoccupied coat, I'm grabbing it for you."
She smiled. "Just get the blanket and you'll have a happy girlfriend. Are you going to see Vicki and the others?"
"Yes, they have . . . You're not coming?"
She shook her head. "I don't think they're pining to see me. Why don't you go see them, and I'll find Katherine?"
He shrugged. "Okay. I'll meet you in the lobby."
in the
kitchen