Chapter 15

With a smile, Mitchell leaned in to kiss his cheek but Romy had other plans and caught the kiss on his mouth instead. Who needs mistletoe?Their lips met with a velvet crush as soft as rose petals, as gentle as the falling snow. Dear Santa. Thanks.

Around them the night stretched away like a promise they both intended to keep.

THE ENDCruising on Cary Street

Monday, quarter after midnight, downtown Richmond. Neon lights glisten like wet paint off the cars parked along the cobbled streets of Shockhoe Slip. As off-duty police officer Willis Moore eases his 350Z Coupe down the narrow street, those same lights slide over his polished red hood and tinted windows like ephemeral flames, dancing over the car and disappearing behind him into the night. His side windows are down, his bass is pumping, and dark sunglasses hide his eyes.