SHE PUSHED HER curls off her shoulders and glanced around the dining room. She drained her glass of champagne easily. I wasn’t sure if it was the best idea coming to The Inn for dinner on New Year’s Eve, but I knew it was something we had to eventually do. When she placed her empty glass down, I reached for the bottle in the ice bucket and poured another round for both of us.

“Are you okay, Gracie?”

She looked up at me. Her smile was slight, but I could see in her eyes that everything was okay, except …

“I just feel like we’re getting a few stares,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting to come to The Inn for dinner.”

“They have the best steak in town and I wanted you to get your protein in.” I winked.

She laughed. “Their filet totally makes up for it.”

“Are you sure you’re okay, though?”

“Yeah.” She glanced around the room. When her eyes landed on me again, her smile brightened. “This was the best thing you could do. I appreciate the effort you put into this.”

“I’m just glad you’re with me, Gracie.”

She smiled and I could tell any reservations that might have lingered from the other night were gone.

“I’m glad you’re with me, too.”

Just then, two sizzling steaks were placed in front of us.

“Oh, my God, look at it,” she said, gaping at her plate. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“That’s a really beautiful side of spinach you ordered,” I joked as I dug into the potatoes.

She eyed her steak in a way that could make a more insecure man jealous. Ignoring my joke, she slowly cut into her steak. I watched the fork pass between her lips as her eyes rolled back and she let out a soft moan.

“This is seriously orgasmic.”

Oh, God.

“I can tell.” My eyes narrowed on her lips as she chewed.

“Better eat yours before it gets cold.”

I blinked and looked down at my steak. I reached for my glass of champagne and drained it. I needed something to relax. If she kept moaning through the entire steak, there was no chance I was leaving this table. Things would get awkward for everyone.

“Was Chloe excited about her party tonight?” I changed the subject, a necessity at this point.

“Oh, she’s thrilled. She still packed a book with her, though.”

“Does she not understand the concept of slumber parties?” I asked, trying to focus on my steak instead of her lips.

“She does, but she says she thinks she’ll probably drink way too much caffeine and won’t be able to sleep.”

“I love that little girl.” I shook my head, amused by Chloe’s antics. “She amazes me.”

“She loves you, too, Wyatt.”

I glanced up at Grace. She smiled and continued to eat her steak.

“Yep, this place was a great idea,” she said before stuffing the last piece in her mouth. She leaned back in her chair and reached for her glass of champagne. “It’s been a while since we’ve gone out to a restaurant with cloth napkins.”

“I’m full of surprises every now and then.” I shrugged. “And I clean up pretty nicely.”

“Yep,” she said, her eyes roaming down my chest and back up to my face. “You do.”

She sipped her champagne as the waiter came over to bring our check. I appreciated his prompt service because I really needed to get out of here. I pulled out my wallet.

“Wait, let—”

“Don’t even start,” I interrupted Grace. “You’re my date. Do you know the meaning of the word date?”

“Fine, fine.” She rolled her eyes and placed her glass back on the table.

I opened my wallet and fished out seventy bucks.

“Wyatt—” she protested.

“You’re gonna ruin my New Year’s if you keep on.” I eyed her a moment before I winked. She shook her head and grabbed her clutch bag.

“You’re going to spoil me,” she said as I stood up from the table and grabbed my coat.

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to do. I’m glad to see you’re finally getting it.” I held out my arm to her and she took it, slipping her arm through.

We passed by The Inn’s welcome desk on our way out the door. The farmer and his wife stood behind the desk, his arms wrapped around her. She smiled when she saw us. “Thank y’all for coming to dinner. Happy New Year.”

I nodded my thanks as I opened the door for Grace. The wind slammed into us, the icy chill rolling off the mountains.

“I’m starting to rethink—”

I removed my coat and placed it around her shoulders.

She stared up at me and continued her thought, “— to rethink my decision of not bringing a coat.”

I winked at her as we walked to the truck. I unlocked the passenger side door and grabbed her flats. Before she could even move, I bent down and slowly slipped off her one of her heels and replaced it with one of the flats.

“You’re really getting into this gentleman thing.” She steadied herself by grasping my shoulder.

Staring at her legs, I slowly grazed the tip of my fingers down her calf to find her other heel.

I slipped on her other flat and let my eyes drink in her entire body.

I slowly stood, letting myself get lost in her stare. Her lips separated and she slowly pushed out a breath. I tossed the heels into the front seat and slammed the door. I slipped my hand into hers and led her down First Street, toward Dixie’s.

“I don’t think you’ve ever seen me dance.”

“Really?” She squeezed my hand and tiptoed over an area of broken sidewalk. “That seems weird that I haven’t.”

“Just fair warning, country boys know how to move,” I told her as we approached the door. Inside, the music switched from country rock to hip-hop.

“I’m excited to see what those cowboy boots can do.” She winked as I pulled open the door. Both of us were taken aback by the amount of people crammed into Dixie’s tonight.

“Looks like we’ll be dancing close,” I whispered in her ear.

She placed my hand on her hip, pressing into me. “I won’t mind.”

I smirked and took in the room, looking for my boys from the station. The pool tables in the back had been cleared away to make room for a stage for the band, only now there seemed to be about twenty people standing on the stage and holding their own dance party. I spotted Tanner near the back, his arm high in the air to wave me down. I took Grace by the hand and led her through the crowd.

“Hey,” I hollered at Tanner. “What happened to the band?”

“A big snow storm rolled through Asheville and the band got stuck in it. It’s supposed to be headed this way, so you might want to drink moderately. Harris is around here somewhere. I’m sure he can fill you in.”

Grace’s hand slipped from mine. I turned around to see Lara standing there, handing her a glass of champagne. They instantly started chatting.

“Hey, Peterman.”

I turned around to see Grayson as he shoved a beer in my hand.

“Where’s everyone at?”

“Heavner’s at the bar with Blair and Murphy. Heavner’s buying shots while Murphy tries to get Megan’s attention.”

“I think it’s a little too busy in here for Megan to find time to flirt. And is Heavner sure that getting the county coroner shitfaced is a bright idea?”

“Probably not, but he dared her to. She doesn’t back away from a dare.”

I looked over at Grace. She was still chatting with Lara when Caleb walked up, his arm wrapped around Angie. Paul, his brother, followed behind them, walking alongside, his wife, Ellie.

“Lara,” I hollered to my partner. She peeked away from her conversation. “Come meet Ellie.”

Her eyes widened as she gasped. “Like the Ellie from Ellie’s Boutique Ellie?”

“One and the same.” I beamed.

Lara hurried over to meet Ellie, fangirling through every moment of her interaction with the boss’s sister-in-law.

“I’ll be right back,” Grayson said as he moved through the crowd and headed straight for a tall brunette who was way out of his league.

I watched them closely as I leaned over to ask Tanner, “Is that his therapist?”

He nodded and rolled his eyes. He lifted up his water as a toast, ending any further discussion on the subject.

“I put your coat on the back of the chair in the corner,” Grace said, coming up behind me. “I figured it could avoid any beer spillage there.”

“Thanks, Gracie. Can we dance now?”

She laced her fingers between mine and pulled me toward the dance floor. I drowned out everyone around me and focused on her ass, a guiding light leading me wherever it wanted to take me. She stopped, but before she could turn around, I glided my hands down her sides to find her hips. She pressed her back into me as her body caught the beat of the music, our hips moving together in perfect rhythm. She moved her body in just the right ways, gliding hypnotically up and down against mine, her hips never stopping. My head tilted back and I swore I didn’t think I could take this all night. She pushed away from me and danced among the crowd, multiple glistening bodies jumping around her. I could barely move. I could only stare at every movement of her body as it vibrated in front of me. She stepped closer to me, lifting on her toes to my reach my ear.

“I thought you knew how to dance.”

“I do.” I barely managed to form the words.

“It doesn’t look like you’re dancing.” She tried pulling away from me but I took her by the waist and held her in place.

“As you can plainly feel, it’s a bit uncomfortable for me to move right now.”

Her lips parted as I reached my hand up to touch her cheek. Her hands grazed down my chest to my hips, holding me against her. My hips began to move along with her rhythm. I wanted nothing more than to claim her lips right now, but it wasn’t time yet. New Year’s would arrive soon enough.

A faster song came on over the speakers, but our arms remained tightly wrapped around each other. We danced to our own music. We were in our own world. Nothing else mattered. There was no one else but us.

“I’m so glad you asked me out tonight, Gracie,” I whispered in her ear.

“You’re the only person I want to be with.”

I wrapped my arms tighter around her, pressed my cheek against hers.

“You’re the only person I want, Gracie. I want only you.”

The crowd around us started screaming.

“Ten!”

I moved my cheek away from hers and stared into her eyes.

“Nine!”

I searched behind her eyes for any sign of doubt and found only beauty.

“Eight!”

I pulled her close.

“Seven!”

Her eyes flickered down to my lips.

“Six!”

“Gracie,” I whispered.

“Five!”

Her eyes locked in on mine.

“Four!”

I glided my hand to her cheek. Her head tilted in to my touch.

“Three!”

I breathed out slowly and leaned forward, my lips inching toward hers.

“Two!”

“Stop.” Grace pushed me away.

“One!”

She shook her head and dashed for the door.

“Happy New Year!”

My shoulders sagged in defeat. I headed back to the table and grabbed my coat, pushing my way through a sea of endless partygoers grabbing whoever they could kiss. I yanked open the door and headed outside. I checked up and down Main Street and then down First Street where I found Grace slowly walking down the sidewalk, her arms folded across her chest. She stopped at the edge of the building.

“Gracie …” I called out, running up behind her. I threw my coat over her shoulders. “I’m sorry, okay? I’m so sorry. I won’t push you if you’re not ready. We can just be friends. Just don’t hate me for trying. Please.”

I held onto her shoulders and rested my face against the top of her head, inhaling her scent, possibly for the last time. I’d blown it. I’d ruined everything. But I couldn’t lose her. I had to make her understand that.

“Grace … Please, I’m so sorry.”

She spun around, grabbed my cheeks and pressed her lips to mine. I closed my eyes and savored the moment, one I never wanted to forget. This was the first and possibly only kiss I would receive, and I would be damned if I let myself forget the way her lips grazed so slowly over mine; how her tongue tasted like the strawberries in her champagne; how her body molded to fit mine. I would never forget how undeniably happy I felt at that moment.

She pulled away suddenly, and I didn’t know if I should smile or weep.

“I couldn’t share our first kiss with the whole town watching,” she explained. “I needed it to be just us.”

My breath caught. I blew it out as a smile spread my cheeks. I slowly grazed my fingers under her chin.

“Are you sure you want this?”

She nodded without any hesitation. I leaned down and kissed her lips again.

“Is this for real?” I needed her to tell me. “Is this really happening? You don’t hate me?”

She giggled and nodded. “I could never hate you. That’s the absolute opposite of what I feel for you, Wyatt.”

Our lips met again as I wrapped my arms tightly around her. I never knew our bodies would fit so well together. Mike might always come first, but I was okay being her second pick. I was happy she picked me at all.

“Take me home, Wyatt.”