Donny gave him a mischievous smile and answered, "you're torturing me right now because you're not kissing me." If Mitch was going to ask her a question like that, she'd tease him right back. "Sometimes I cheat," she answered with a laugh, "and occasionally I exaggerate, because sometimes I loose," she replied giving a tiny flinch at his tickling fingers. "And now who's not playing fair?" she asked.
"I would rather earn my own," she said softly, looking up at Mitch with a more serious expression. "My parents thought gifts and money were a good replacement for affection and love," Donny told him frowning. "They had enough to splash around, but it never felt real," she said pulling herself closer to Mitch. "It's why I started earning as soon as I was able," she told him with a sad smile, "and the hotel giving us money didn't feel quite as fun as it should." Donny cocked her head and gave his face a gentle caress, "it's a good job we're here together then," she said with a smile. Why the frown? "I want to know if this is real for you? you and me, I mean," and knowing where Mitch was coming from it felt like a big deal even asking. "It's real for me," in case he was in any doubt.
She settled once more and gave a nod. "You make it sound like a closing down sale," Donny told him with a chuckle. "Be sure, I will go and see your snowman before he melts away," and she would take photos of it herself. The snow-Donny too, so that she could see Mitch smile a little more. He was doing it more and more these days, despite the Christmas set-back. "Have you spoken to Derek since your talk?" she asked curiously. "It would do you good to have another friend here," she said with a small smile, "even if I'd rather keep you all to myself most of the time."