I slid closer to Nate as he sipped his drink and leaned back against my chest. With the lights directed at the dancefloor, our table against the wall was as secluded as we could get. Between that, the alcohol, and not seeing anyone I recognized, I finally felt myself relax.

Setting his glass down, he turned to face me and rested his elbow on the table. "Can you believe this is only our third date? It feels like we've known each other so much longer."

"It does." Threading my fingers through the hair at his temple, I combed the soft locks back from his face. "It's probably all the time we spent together over the holiday."

"That's true." He smiled. "We've had more than typical dates." His hand moved under my jacket to rest on my waist. "We've done yard work together and had family meals. I've even seen you in your pajamas."

I chuckled. "Most of that time, I thought you were my sister's boyfriend."

"Yeah, but you were still checking me out." He winked, and my face heated.

"You noticed that, huh?"

"Oh, yeah." Nate's hand moved to hold my cheek. "But that's mostly because I like looking at you too." He leaned in and his kiss tasted sweet, like whiskey and Coke. "Couldn't stop looking, actually."

Nate's eyes searched mine, and his grip tightened on my waist. His chest rumbled under my palm as I slipped my hand to the back of his neck, pulling him closer. "I'm glad it wasn't just me."

He smirked a second before his lips crashed into mine. Our kiss deepened, sending tingles all the way to my toes. The back of my fingers moved under his shirt, brushing the soft skin of his firm stomach, and his hand moved to my hair, holding tight, wanting more.

I ran my thumb over the hard ridges of Nate's abs. His breath fluttered over my cheek as I left a trail of kisses across his jaw, to his neck.

Following the deep indentation of muscle on his hip, I let my fingers slip lower, inside the waist of his pants. He gasped, and I froze.

What was I doing? There were hundreds of people around us.

Balling my hand into a fist, I pulled back, resting my forehead on his and holding his gaze. "I'm sorry."

"I'm not." Nate chuckled, making me feel better about behaving as though we were alone.

"I think I've had enough to drink."

"Nah. Lower those inhibitions." He pumped his eyebrows, and I laughed.

"Someone has to drive tonight."

"Yeah, but it doesn't have to be you." Nate shrugged. "I'll order a ride whenever we're ready." He fiddled with the buttons of my shirt. "And bring you to get your car tomorrow."

Pleasant warmth crawled over my skin. He'd invited me to spend the night. Actually, he'd said it casually, like it was as certain as the future he'd mentioned for us several times. My heart leapt at the thought of an entire night with Nate, a possible future with him.

"If that's okay?" His brow furrowed, and I realized I hadn't said anything.

"Fuck, yes, that's okay. Do you want to go now?"

He laughed and shook his head. "We should probably do the whole New Year's thing first. Your sister isn't even here yet." He checked his phone. "She texted a minute ago. They should be here any second."

"Oh, right. I forgot." Waving at the waitress, we waited until she finished with the table she was at and moved to ours.

"Another round?" she hollered.

"Yeah, with six shots, please."

She gave a thumbs up and headed back toward the bar. I turned to a grinning Nate. "Don't tell Liv I forgot about her."

"I won't." He laughed. "But I've never seen you absent minded before. Is it me or the alcohol?"

"You. Definitely." It was the pure truth. Nothing had ever been as distracting as him.

"Good answer." He glanced toward the room and beamed. "Hey, babe!"

I turned and spotted my sister and her date stopping beside the table. Nate whistled as he looked her over. "That dress is fantastic! Laurel's going to love the heels."

I let them talk and reached toward Andre, offering my hand in greeting. He shook it, saying, "This place is nice. Loud though."

"It is." I nodded. "Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so. I was starting to feel old."

Andre's laugh was warm. "Not old. Just enough age to have a different idea of fun."

Liv poked my shoulder and waved hello.

"Hey!" I yelled across the table. "I ordered us all shots when you texted. I think that's them." I tipped my chin at the waitress holding a tray high as she moved toward us. "If you want something else to drink, order now. It's taking a while with the crowd."

Andre nodded. "Okay. What would you like, Jolivette?"

They ordered drinks as Laurel and Cody made their way back to the table. Everyone ordered, and I lifted my shot. "Since we're all here, shots!" After clinking glasses, we downed our drinks in unison, then laughed at the sour face Liv made.

For the next hour, we talked and hung out at the table, except for Laurel and her guy, who came and went from the dancefloor. I spent much of the time getting to know Andre and decided I liked him—he could be good for my sister.

The music lowered, and the DJ announced a two-minute warning for the countdown. Liv spun, searching the crowd for her friend who was already rushing toward us, dragging Cody behind her.

When she reached the table, Laurel grabbed Liv and Nate's hands and they shared words I couldn't hear, but they included teary eyes and kisses on cheeks. It was sweet, and I was glad my sister had such good friends, but the emotional scene sent an unexpected wave of gratitude through me.

This was a time to appreciate the last year, but for me, it'd been the same as all the others before it, until Christmas. Coming out to my family had brought Liv back into my life and allowed me a chance at a relationship with the most amazing man I'd met in a long time.

My sister's eyes met mine as the ten second countdown started, and the love I saw there warmed my chest. I smiled back, hoping she knew how important she was to me, even if I didn't always show it.

Then Nate hugged my bicep, grinning. "It's almost time!"

"Five!" Hundreds of voices yelled, led by the DJ and a neon number that flashed on the ceiling.

Excitement shot through the room like electricity, raising goosebumps on my skin as everyone in the club yelled, "Three! Two! One! Happy new year!"

Flashing lights and cheers filled the air as Nate stared into my eyes. "This is going to be a fantastic year." I nodded a second before his lips found mine in a kiss so tender and full of promise my heart ached.

When he pulled away, I took a steadying breath, and hoped it wasn't too soon when I asked, "Are you ready to go?"

"I ordered a car to pick us up at midnight an hour ago. I figured traffic is probably awful, and we'd be ready to get out of here." Nate grinned and slid his cell from his pocket. "It'll be here in about five minutes."

I pulled him in and pressed my lips to his in a hard kiss. "You're amazing."

"Let's go start this new year right." Nate took my hand, lacing our fingers together as we waved goodbye to our friends and headed toward the exit.

Thanks for reading! 💜