Darknight(57)

We sort of lapsed into silence after that, the guys shooting furtive looks at one another, as if they weren’t sure if they should be the ones to get things started. After a few seconds, though, Sydney seemed to spy the lay of the land, because she said, “So, wow. I was not expecting to see you two down here. I thought Anthony and I were going to come up to Flagstaff.”

“Change of plans,” I said.

“I wanted to see Jerome in daylight,” Connor said easily, as if the whole thing had been his idea. “I didn’t get to see much when I came for the dance. And since we’d already spent a few days in Flagstaff….”

“We decided to come here,” I finished for him. “But we’re not going to stay in Jerome for more than a few days, probably, so it’s not like you won’t have your chance to come to Flagstaff.”

“You get a lot of snow up there with this last storm?” Anthony asked.

“A good bit,” Connor responded. “But I don’t think it’s going to last long. They’re predicting warmer weather over the weekend.”

The comments about the weather seemed to break the ice, and the guys started talking about cross-country skiing and the hiking trails up and around Flagstaff, while Sydney kept darting her gaze between Connor and me as if she wasn’t quite sure she believed the evidence of her eyes. I couldn’t really fault her for that; it seemed slightly surreal to have him next to me, his warm jean-clad thigh pressed against mine, to hear his warm baritone as he and Anthony kept chatting. What Sydney had told Anthony, I had no idea, but he seemed to be taking the sudden development of a relationship between Connor and me in stride. Thank the Goddess that they hadn’t actually exchanged introductions at the dance, or Anthony would probably be trying to figure out the reason behind Connor’s name change.

The appetizers came, and we ordered a couple of pizzas and another bottle of wine, since we were already a good bit into the first one. Then Connor said, “Do you two have any big plans for New Year’s?”

Sydney and Anthony exchanged a glance. “Well, we’ve been invited to a couple of parties,” Sydney replied. Her blue eyes took on a glint I knew all too well. “Why, do you have something better in mind?”

The corner of Connor’s mouth twitched a little. “I don’t know about better, but up in Flag they do this pinecone drop at midnight, and it’s basically a street party — all the bars are open, of course, and there’s a lot of live music.”

“A pinecone drop?” Sydney repeated.

“Sort of our version of Times Square,” Connor replied.

It was the first I’d heard of it, but then, I’d never bothered researching Flagstaff’s various events and nightlife, since I hadn’t exactly thought I’d ever get a chance to participate in any of them. “That sounds like fun,” I said.

“It does,” Anthony put in, “but the drive back could be tough, depending on the weather.”

“Then stay up in town.”

“Ooh, that would be fun. A hotel on New Year’s Eve instead of just going back to your apartment,” Sydney said. Then her expression fell somewhat. “They’re probably all booked up, though, right? At least anyplace worth staying?”

I’d thought of that, too, but Connor shook his head. “It’s pretty busy, but I know the people who run the Weatherford Hotel, where the event takes place. I’m sure I can get something lined up for you, if you want to come.”

“That would be fab!” Sydney turned to Anthony. “Wouldn’t it?”

“It sounds great,” he agreed. “But I don’t want you to put yourself out or anything, getting a room together for us — ”

“It’s no problem. Really.” Connor shifted in his seat so he could look down at me. His gaze was questioning, as if he wanted to know if it sounded okay to me, if I was all right with not being in Jerome on New Year’s.

Considering the frosty reception we’d gotten so far, I was fairly certain that Connor and I wouldn’t be partying with the McAllisters anytime soon. The pinecone drop sounded like fun — and it also sounded like the sort of thing the Wilcoxes would stay far, far away from. I couldn’t imagine them rubbing elbows with a bunch of civilian hoi polloi on the streets of Flagstaff. No, it could be simply a fun evening out for the four of us, with no one having to worry about driving home.

“It does sound perfect,” I said, and I felt rather than saw Connor relax at my words.

Sydney grinned. “Great! Then we’re doing it — if you can get the hotel room sitch worked out.”