“Which makes no sense.”Cami picks up her purse.“Ready to shop?”

“Yep.Here’s hoping we find good sales.”

The giant meetingroom at the venue is decked out in twinkle lights.A band is playing on stage, and the food on the buffet smells amazing.I scan the room, hoping to spot a familiar face.

When my gaze lands on Kent, he tips his hat.

My friends in New York are packed into Times Square, awaiting the ball drop, and I wouldn’t trade places with them for anything in the world.

I wind my way through the crowd.“Hey there.Where’s Mason?”

“Dancing with Daisy.Pretty sure Cami is next on his dance card.”He shifts ever so slightly so that our sides are barely touching.“Want something to drink?”

“In a little while maybe.”I rest my back against his arm.“Remind me of who’s with who.I know Ivy and Jasmine and Daisy.But Cami talks about so many people, I can’t keep track.”

He puts a hand on my hip and leans down, pointing out couples and telling me names.And I pay attention, at least as much as I can with his breath tickling my neck.

When he finishes, he pats my hip.“Care to dance?”

“Yes.I’d like that.”

We stroll out to the dance floor and two-step through several songs.We only stop dancing when Mason cuts in.

After a few songs, I walk off the dance floor and to the table.Kent motions toward the bar with his brows raised.I nod.

He makes his way across the room as Mason and I drop into chairs.

“You wore me out, kiddo.”

“I can tell you’ve been practicing.Your dancing is getting better.You should dance with Dad some more.I think he likes dancing with you.”

“Think so?Well, he’s a good dancer.And fun.”

He grins and surprisingly doesn’t respond.Instead, he jumps out of his chair and darts toward his dad.I’m not sure I want to know what he’s relaying to Kent right now.This game of telephone could end badly.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I swipe to answer Sarah’s call.“Hiya.Let’s switch to video.I want to see the city.”

“And I want to see that cowboy.”Her face appears on the screen and Damien leans in close.

“She’s joking.She doesn’t want to see him.Only me.”He laughs.

They are bundled up, outside despite the frigid temps and snow piled on the ground.

“Happy New Year.Want to video chat as the ball drops?”

“Nah, I’ve seen it before.But I’m glad you called.I hope y’all have a fabulous night.”

“You too.”She pulls the phone close to her face.“And I mean that.”Her gaze cuts to over my shoulder, making it obvious that Kent is back.

Sarah and Damien wave.

“Kent, I work with Sarah and Damien.They are in Times Square tonight.”

“Howdy.It looks cold.We don’t really get that white stuff around here often.”Kent is downright charming.

“Be careful.Just because you said that we’ll probably have a freak snowstorm.”I should’ve worded that differently because the way I said it makes it sound like I live here.

He rests a hand on my shoulder.“Mason would love it if it snowed.”