Anna wore Alexander’s Burton ski jacket over her tiny dress, unsure where she had left her white trench coat. Her legs were cold, but she walked across the dark lawn toward the pool, Alexander following close behind.

“Where are you going? Why aren’t we going into the house?” he asked, crossly.

Anna didn’t answer, because she couldn’t without lying. She didn’t want to go into the house with Alexander, because it was now the setting of some of her newest and best memories, which she didn’t want to spoil with the ugly ones she was sure were about to come. “There’s a heat lamp. And privacy.” Walking faster, she reached the high hedges that surrounded the oval black-bottomed pool. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to drive you home,” Alexander said. “It’s supposed to snow tonight.”

“We’re in Daddy’s Escalade, it has four-wheel drive. But that’s not what I meant. I didn’t know you were coming in this weekend at all.”

“Eleanor’s dinner is tomorrow night now,” he answered. “She kept calling and begging me to come down, Anna. You know how she gets. What else was I supposed to do?”

“Tell her the world doesn’t stop and start just because it’s her goddamn birthday.” Anna had meant to stay calm, but she couldn’t. She was pissed.

“Anna,” he said.

“Don’t ‘Anna’ me, Alexander. You’re not my father. I can say what I want. There have been ten thousand emails about this stupid dinner. You do realize I’m not the one related to her, right?”

“Have you been drinking?”

“Yes, I have. You know why? It’s a party! That’s what people do at parties, drink and have fun. But maybe you don’t know that, because we never go to parties.”

“Why are you talking to me in that tone? I’m not sure I understand what’s going on with you. What have I done to make you like this?” His voice was now a little bit louder.

“Like what?”

“You’re barely wearing any clothes and it’s freezing. Did Steven give you drugs?”

Anna ignored his question and continued. “Did you know it was a costume party? Why aren’t you wearing one?”

“I’m not here for the party; I’m here for you.”

“But why? I told you I was spending the night, and I’d be back tomorrow.”

“Eleanor was worried you’d get snowed in and Steven’s not the most responsible—”

“I’m not your responsibility. I’m your girlfriend!” Anna yelled.

“Anna.” His voice was calm now. “You are my girlfriend and I love you. That’s why I’m here.”

“Excellent. Then let’s go join the party and have some fun.”

“Anna.” Alexander looked at his gold Rolex. “I can’t. It’s getting late and my paper’s not going to write itself.”