Angels at the Table (Angels Everywhere #7)(4)

Some fun this had turned out to be. Jazmine and Catherine were nowhere to be found and Lucie was trapped in this huge mass of humanity, unable to move in any direction. People pressed against her from all sides and all she wanted to do was escape. The subway station was within sight and if she could simply make her way …

All at once the crowd started to shout. A cacophony of noise erupted all around her as a cheer rose and “Auld Lang Syne” was blasted through the cold night air.

To make her feel even more alone, all the couples around her were either hugging or kissing. Everyone seemed to belong to someone. Everyone, that is, except her.

Unable to watch and feeling detached, Lucie closed her eyes. Her mother had wanted her to enjoy herself with her friends. It’d been weeks since Lucie had been out. She needed a free night, Wendy had gently reminded her. All work and no play would cause her to lose her focus.

Her mother, however, was right. Lucie did need a break, and she probably did work too hard. Putting a restaurant together wasn’t a simple thing. There were decisions to be made and compromises, too. They’d found a great location in Brooklyn, not far from their apartment. While the space was perfect for what they needed, renovations were necessary and permits took time, money, and effort.

Furthermore, Lucie had a responsibility to her mother, who had invested the entire life insurance money they’d collected from her father’s death into making this restaurant a success. Her mother’s faith in her was both a blessing and a curse. If Lucie failed she’d never be able to forgive herself.

Suddenly Lucie was jarred from behind. She stumbled forward. “Oh, sorry.”

“Sorry.”

Her eyes flashed open, the apology already spoken, when she stared into the face of the most amazingly good-looking man she’d seen outside of a movie. He was taller than she by a good six inches and had the warmest, gentlest brown eyes. A lock of dark brown hair fell across his wide forehead.

“You okay?” he asked. “The crowd …”

“I know; it’s crazy. No worries, I’m fine.”

His hands braced her shoulders as if to catch her from stumbling. He didn’t drop them, and for the longest time they simply stared at each other. Surprisingly, he didn’t seem to be coupled with anyone. He was alone in the crowd, too.

“Shall we?” he asked.

Not fully understanding, she blinked.

Then with barely a pause, he lowered his mouth to hers.

Standing on the tips of her toes, Lucie wrapped her arms around his neck and welcomed his kiss. Why not? It was New Year’s Eve and this was tradition.

The kiss lasted through what remained of the song, and Lucie enjoyed it immensely. The earth didn’t move, the sky didn’t fall, but the exchange was warm, soft, and above all pleasant. Very pleasant. She almost groaned in protest when they broke apart.

He smiled at her.

Lucie smiled back.

“I’m Aren Fairchild.”

“Lucie Ferrara.”

The crowd started to break apart. The people that had been standing so close just seconds before were leaving. All at once it seemed everyone had somewhere else to go.

Lucie and Aren remained motionless, standing in the same spot. He continued to cup her shoulders.

“I got separated from my sister,” he explained.

“I don’t have a clue what happened to Jazmine and Catherine.”

“So you’re alone?”

Lucie nodded.

“I am, too. Perhaps we can find a place for a glass of wine?”

“I’d like that.” Her heart fluttered with gentle excitement at his invitation. Maybe, just maybe, this entire evening wouldn’t be a disaster after all.

Lucie’s phone chirped, indicating she had a text message. Digging in her purse she retrieved it and saw that the text was from Jazmine. Where are you?

Lucie quickly texted her back. Still in Times Square.

C and I R heading to the subway.

Talk tomorrow.

OK

When Lucie finished she noticed Aren was busy tapping away on his phone, too. He glanced up when he’d set his phone inside his coat pocket. “I let my sister know I’d find my own way home.”

“I told my friends the same thing.”

He reached for her hand and off they went. After a number of attempts to find available space at a wine bar, they gave up and settled for a booth in an all-night diner.

It felt good to sit down. Lucie shrugged off her coat. Aren unbuttoned his overcoat.

“I’m sorry. I’m unfamiliar with the area or I’d know of a place.”

“I doubt it would have mattered,” Lucie assured him. “On a night like this every seat is taken. We were lucky to get a table here.” After she spoke she realized he must be new to the city. “You’re not from New York?”

“Seattle,” he explained.

In other words he was a tourist. Well, that was probably for the best, seeing that she didn’t really have time to invest in a relationship, if indeed this turned into one. Oh dear, she was getting way ahead of herself.

“I recently moved to the city.”

“Oh.” Instantly her spirits lifted, even though her circumstances weren’t going to change for a long while.

“What about you?”

“I live in Brooklyn.”