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The New Year was fast approaching, which ht with James was nearly over She didn’t want it to be

The crowds had thinned out considerably after the fireworks display They were standing on the sidewalk outside the Golden Nugget casino when a cheer rose froht," James commented and ceremoniously blew the noisemaker "Happy New Year, Summer," he said in a voice so loas al each other, and then, as if this were the , slowly moved toward each other Summer sa James’s eyes darkened as her own fluttered closed She wanted this Needed it

She sighed audibly as his mouth settled over hers

Two

Su, but Ja to hi like this She’d expected theh and wish each other a happy New Year

It hadn’t happened like that

The instant Jauid She was immobile, her arms locked around his neck and her body pressed inti ain She didn’t want it to end But she didn’t kno to ask hiht be reluctance, he released her She stood there looking at hi stiffly at her sides while her face reddened with e him she wasn’t usually this blatant

"Happy New Year," James said He didn’t sound like himself at all He cleared his throat and sed visibly

"Happy New Year," she whispered, and stepped away from him

Jarateful for his touch They started walking, with no destination in mind, or none that Su if he felt as confused and uncertain as she did Apparently he did, because he grew quiet and introspective

"I believe I’ll call it a night," he announced unexpectedly He checked his watch and frowned Summer suspected it had been a year since he’d last stayed up past ht He was so proper, so serious and sober Yet she’d enjoyed every hed, or at least she’d laughed James had smiled, and she had the irinned, Su She couldn’t bear to knohat he thought of her An apology, words of explanation, stumbled over themselves, but she couldn’t make herself say them--because she wasn’t sorry about their kiss She’d savored it, relished it, and hoped he had, as well

"I’ll call it a night, too," Suest theyday He didn’t

By the time they returned to the Four Queens, where they were both booked for the week, Summer was miserable

"James," she said as they walked across the lobby Either she apologized now or regretted saying nothing "I’enerally…I can only guess what you must think of me and…"

"You?" He hesitated in front of the elevator "I ondering what you thought of uard asked to see their roo for the elevator Jah the contents of her oversize purse before finding hers

The elevator arrived, and they both entered There was no one else inside Still, Jarew heavier as they ascended Her room was on the tenth floor, and his was on the fifteenth

The silence closed in on them When the elevator stopped at her floor, the doors slid open, and Jalanced at hiain It e wouldn’t be interested in dating an actress

"Good night," she said brightly as she walked out of the elevator

"Good night, Su he’d ask her at the last ed to her rooe of her bed, trying to sort out her hts

When Summer had requested a week’s vacation, she hadn’t planned to spend every available second with Jath of ti

She slipped off her shoes and wiggled her toes in the thick carpet If it wasn’t so late, she’d call Julie and tell her friend she was right One evening with Jaht The , she dise she’d had in her , that kiss convinced her James was more than a friend What became of their relationship would depend on several factors, the most ihtstand rang, and Suroped for it "Hello?"

"Suh of relief "Hello, Jaht not be soht I’d drive over to Hoover Da Would you care to join me?"

"Why wouldn’t I consider that fun?" she asked

"I’e you’d prefer to spend tiht you wereof friends closer to your own age"

His answer irritated her "I’, but if it is what I think it is, you’re wrong, James"