Page 70 of Candy Hearts, Vol. 2

CHAPTER 6

JAKE

I was relieved he didn’t think it was strange when I asked about getting a room. This was so far outside anything I’d ever done. Since the restaurant had opened, I mostly worked or slept. But I wasn’t lying to Spencer when I said there was something about him. I couldn’t let the night end without spending more time with him. I took in his profile and wondered how someone who looked like him was single. His dark wavy hair and beautiful green eyes drew me in, but his personality and our connection hooked me.

“Did you want a drink?” I asked mostly because neither of us had moved since we’d taken up the space next to the edge of the building.

“Not really. I’m very happy where I’m at,” Spencer said, and snuggled in closer. I kissed the side of his head and went back to looking at the city. We stood a while longer and I soaked in his warmth and the quiet murmur of conversation that we were just on the edge of.

“Fifteen minutes until midnight,” the bartender announced. A few people walked over to get another drink but neither of us moved.

“Any New Year’s resolutions?” I asked Spencer.

“Well, I was going to make time to date this year. All work and all that,” he said. “What about you?”

I grinned because once again we had so much in common. “Two workaholics meet on New Year’s Eve, what could go wrong?”

“Well, hopefully more than just work,” he said with a laugh.

“And to answer your question, I don’t do resolutions. I feel like it sets you up for failure right from the start. Well, I should say it sets me up for failure. It’s like once I decide to change something, I do everything in my power to screw it up.”

“I make resolutions every year but never keep them.”

“See? We’re the same you and I. This year let’s make a pact, no resolutions.” I held my hand out to shake on it, and he glanced at it before pulling me in for a hug.

“No resolutions,” he mumbled into my neck. “I think I can get used to this.”

“Me too.” But I didn’t mean the resolutions. Being in his arms was quickly becoming my new favorite thing.

“Okay, everyone, get ready,” someone said as a group of people rushed by us to where everyone stood around the television above the bar. “Ten, nine, eight?—”

I turned to look at Spencer as the countdown continued. His eyes met mine and just at the stroke of midnight we kissed. All the noise of celebration faded into the background and with his warm lips pressed against mine he was all I could focus on. “Happy New Year,” he murmured.

“Happy New Year to you,” I said and kissed him again. We stayed a while longer and watched as fireworks went off in East Sacramento that were barely visible through the fog. It was getting colder, but I was happy here away from the crowd and noise downstairs. “My grandmother used to say whoever you kiss on New Year’s Eve you’ll spend the next year with.” His hand cupped my cheek, and he looked deeply into my eyes.

“I wouldn’t be upset about that,” he whispered.

“I’d really like to be alone with you right now,” I said, and realized the whole night I’d been unable to hold back anything from him. Whatever thought crossed my mind that involved him I just couldn’t stop myself from saying.

“Should we go check on that room?”

“Are you sure that’s what you want?” I needed to know. He was a grown man, but I wanted to know he wanted this as much as me.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” He took my hand and led me to the elevator. “I can’t believe you got a room. I wish I would have thought of that.” He pressed the button and a few more people joined us as we waited.

“I was worried you’d think I was being too pushy, or I don’t even know. This is all new to me, I literally never do anything spontaneous.” I rubbed at the back of my head and hoped the people behind us didn’t hear. The door slid open and the two of us moved to the back.

“I’m glad you thought of it,” he whispered while everyone else in the elevator chatted and completely ignored us. The doors slid open, and I kept hold of his hand as we tried to avoid most of the crowd. Thankfully most of them were in the side of the hotel where the ballroom and convention halls were located, and once we were past it we walked up to the registration desk.

“Hello, I have a room reserved for Jake Raines,” I said to the man who was working. He immediately checked his computer and confirmed the room was just one night. “Yes, we’re local.”

“Very good, you’re already checked in and breakfast is included with your reservation. Here is your key,” he said and handed us both one. “Check-out is at eleven tomorrow. Have a good evening, gentlemen.” He was very professional, but it sure did seem like he knew exactly why we wanted that room, and I would guess we were not the only ones attending tonight’s mixer who had the same idea.

Spencer lowered his chin and looked at me through his lashes before flicking the edge of his room card on his jaw. “What do you think? Ready to go see what the room has to offer?” Any doubt I had about him not wanting this faded away and the two of us went back to the elevator and right to our room.