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at Lincoln for approval with a smile. He was smiling down
at me, and my stomach fluttered slightly.
    I felt pushed from behind, and I stumbled
into Lincoln’s broad chest. Turning my head, I saw people
harmlessly trying to push their way closer to the bar. I looked
back up at Lincoln, unconcerned, and I realized just how close to
him I was. I pressed into his chest, and he put his arm around me
protectively and drew me even closer while eyeing the crowd behind
me.
    Those dang butterflies fluttered in my
stomach again, and I longed to wrap my arms around his waist. I was
surprised to realize I wanted to feel his muscular body against
mine and the scruff of his beard against my face. I focused on his
lips as he looked down at me. A serious and heated look crossed his
face, and I wanted nothing more than for him to grab me and pull me
close and press his soft lips against mine. And it seemed like he
was looking at me with the same thoughts.
    “That’ll be nine fifty!” the bartender
shouted, effectively breaking the bubble that had surrounded us. I
could breathe again, and Lincoln removed his arm to pull out his
wallet to pay the man. I felt so stupid. I shouldn’t have come here
with him. I shouldn’t have let him buy me a drink. I shouldn’t lead
him on since nothing was ever going to exist between us.
    Lincoln handed me the peach sunrise and then
held up his beer in a toast. “This is my official apology for
spilling hot chocolate all over you. I apologize… but I can’t say I
regret it.” Lincoln smiled and winked at me. I laughed nervously
and took a sip. The peach sunrise was my favorite drink. There was
just something indescribably delicious about peaches. “Come on,”
Lincoln said and grabbed my hand again. “Let’s get back to my
friends.”

 
    Chapter Three
     
    By the time Lincoln had introduced me to most
everyone in the group, it was close to midnight. I was talking to
Kennedy, who was here with her husband, Brian. Kennedy was
explaining to me that this was their first night out as a couple
without the kids in almost a year.
    “Since last Valentine’s Day, I think!”
Kennedy said loudly. She had either had too much to drink or she
was a naturally loud and outgoing person. “We brought the kids to
the parade, of course, but they’re staying with my parents
tonight.”
    “You were at the parade?” I asked. I hadn’t
seen her there, but I hadn’t really been paying attention to
individuals in the crowd.
    “Well, of course, silly! We’re all obligated
to be there with our dad. Have to be a happy family for the
senator!” Kennedy said with a laugh. I felt ill at ease again.
Kennedy probably wouldn’t have said that if it hadn’t been for the
drink in her hand or the several before it.
    “What do you do for a living?” I changed the
subject.
    “Oh, I’m a stay-at-home mom. I stay at home.
All the time,” Kennedy replied with a smile and a half-glazed look
in her eyes. “WE SHOULD GO OUT SOMETIME!” She yelled and grabbed my
arm. Yeah, she definitely had too much to drink.
    “Um, yeah, sure. We can do that,” I said,
lying through my teeth. She seemed nice enough, but it just wasn’t
going to happen.
    “My hubby works a lot, so I got all the time
in the world,” Kennedy slurred her words but then suddenly looked
sad. “I’m alone a lot.”
    “Hey, hey. Yeah, of course we’ll go out,” I
said in my most comforting tone. “We’ll go get pedicures together.
How about that?” I rubbed Kennedy’s arm in an attempt to comfort
her. Kennedy’s face lit up, and she threw her arms around my neck
in an enthusiastic hug, nearly knocking me over.
    Just then the music stopped, and I heard a
woman calling for everyone’s attention. I turned around and saw a
bartender with a megaphone standing on the bar.
    “FIFTEEN SECONDS TO MIDNIGHT!” the bartender
screamed into the megaphone. The whole bar surged with excitement.
Men and woman positioned themselves next to their loved ones in