tle closer。 〃Plans for New Year's
Eve？〃
They had reached the car。 She faced him； smiling sadly。 〃Funny。 I used
to worry about New Year's Eve。 Would I have a date？ Would I not？ Would
he be tall； dark； and handsome？ Now it doesn't seem to matter。〃 She
sighed。 〃No； I don't have a date。 I may just plant myself on my sofa
with a bottle of Chablis and a book。〃
〃Why not do it here？〃 His eyes were deep green； the color of saying
something important。
Her pulse raced。 〃What？〃
〃Spend New Year's Eve here。〃
〃Will you？〃 she asked without premeditation。 He pulled her close； into
the warmth of his sheepskin jacket。 〃Yes。〃
〃What about your other obligations？〃 Unpremeditated also； but the answer
mattered。
Mitch was a minute in answering。 〃She goes to bed too early for my
tastes； certainly too early to make it to midnight。 No；〃 he grinned；
〃she wouldn't be much fun on New Year's Eve。 Besides； she's not a fan of
Chablis。〃
Anne didn't know what to say to that； but his good humor was infectious。
She relaxed in his arms and rested her hands on his chest。
〃How about it？〃 he coaxed softly。 〃New Year's Eve here？〃
〃I don't know； Mitch。 This thing is so bizarre。〃
〃Are you afraid？〃 His hands drew light circles on her back。
〃A little。〃
〃Of me？〃
She was acutely aware of the swell of his broad chest beneath her palms。
〃No