Takata eyed me as I flushed and pulled my knit hat down lower over my ears. “There’s a limo out front,” I said to change the subject. “Want me to tell them to go away?”

His gaze went up into the black branches. “They can wait. They have food in there.”

Nodding, I relaxed. “You want some warm wine?”

He started, his wide eyes looking shocked. “No. No thanks.”

“More spiced cider, then?” I offered. “Here. I haven’t had any of mine.”

“Just put a swallow in there,” he said, extending his empty cup, and I poured half of my drink into his. I felt kinda special, sitting next to Takata with half my drink in his mug, but I stiffened as a faint twang reverted through me. I froze, not knowing what it was, and Takata’s eyes met mine.

“You felt it too?” he said, and I nodded, feeling uneasy and a little worried.

“What was it?”

Takata’s wide mouth turned into a huge smile as he laughed at me. “The circle at Fountain Square. Happy Solstice.” He raised his cup, and I automatically touched mine to it.

“Happy Solstice,” I echoed, thinking it odd that I had felt it. I never had before. But then, maybe having closed it myself once made me sensitive to it.

Feeling as if all was right with the world, I sipped my cider, finding David’s eyes pleading with me over the rim of my mug. Erica’s mouth was going nonstop, and Kisten was gripping his shoulder, trying to have a conversation around her. “Excuse me,” I said as I slid from the table. “David needs rescuing.”

Takata chuckled, and I made my unhurried way past the fire. Though he never stopped talking to David, Kisten’s eyes were on me, and I felt a warm spot start in my middle.

“Erica,” I said, coming even with them. “Takata wants to play a song for you.”

Takata jerked upright, giving me a panicked look when the young woman squealed. Both Kisten and David slumped in relief as she darted around the fire to him. “Thank God,” Kisten whispered, and I sat down in her spot. “That girl never shuts up.”

Snorting, I eased closer, pushing into his thigh, hinting. He curved an arm around me, as I wanted, pulling me close. Kisten exhaled softly, and a shiver rippled over me. I knew he felt it when my scar started tingling. “Stop it,” I whispered, embarrassed, and his grip tightened.

“I can’t help it,” he said on an intake of breath. “When is everyone going to be leaving?”

“Sunup,” I said, setting my drink down. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

“It’s not my heart that misses you,” he breathed, and a second shiver passed through me.