If it is a cocktail party, I think bringing your partner, husband or wife is fine. To a certain extent, when someone throws a party, they expect to have people over. If it's a seated dinner, though, you should check beforehand. Asking to bring your partner is fair. Asking to bring eight friends from college is not. A good hostess will always accommodate extras and stragglers, but she'll never forget who brought them.
Any more questions?" I ask, poking him gently in the ribs. "Do you still love me any?" Eliot asks, putting his hand over mine. "A little. " "A little?" he asks, pulling away from me. "A lot. " "How much?" he asks. "More than chocolate chip cookies. " "Mmm" he says, kissing my shoulder. "More than walking on the beach. " Eliot kisses me on the neck. "More than. . . " I pause, turning to look at him. "More than?" he asks, kissing my lips. I turn toward him. "Anything.