As Michonne approached him, Rick stepped away from the column and deftly exchanged his empty glass for a flute of champagne off the tray of a passing server. He held it out towards her.

"Rick," she greeted, accepting the drink. Her fingers brushed his and warmth suffused her body. They stood still, staring at each other.

"Michonne," he replied with a full smile and bright eyes. He moved first, pulling her close for a hug. "You're stunning. You take my breath away."

She breathed deep, enjoying his scent as his compliment and drawl swept over her. Heat radiated from where his hand rested on the exposed skin of her back. He'd always given the best hugs. She inched closer, flattening her breasts against his chest. He tightened his arms around her and she tingled where his beard grazed her face and neck.

"Thank you. You're looking handsome, as usual," she said, reluctantly stepping out of his embrace. He did look good. He felt good too. She touched the knot of his tie. "Nice shirt."

"Yeah, someone with great taste bought it for me."

"Someone with impeccable taste," she joked.

"Someone with an impeccable taste," he returned.

Michonne blushed and her heart beat double before returning to its normal rhythm. She focused on lips and detected a hint of glitter that hadn't been there a moment before. Had he kissed her neck? She resisted reaching out to wipe her thumb over his lips.

"I'm flying solo tonight. Wanna be my date?" Rick asked. "Not unless you already have one?"

"No," she shook her head. "No date tonight."

"Where's Morgan?"

"Not here," she quipped. Maggie had obviously told him she was dating someone.

He raised his brows at her response and she smirked back, not offering anything more.

"So, just solo tonight, or permanently?" she asked.

"Well, hopefully not permanently. But Lori and I are no longer together. I am officially divorced."

"So I heard. No more on-again, off-again? No more one more second chances?"

Rick shook his head. "Nope, over for good. And there's no one else."

Michonne took a sip of her champagne. It was perfection, sweet and crisp, with hints of citrus as it bubbled its way down her throat. She realized they were free to flirt and play, maybe even more. It was usual for it to be this way, their bodies remembering the intense pull between them that they always worked to ignore and disregard. Initially, for the sake of their friendship and then for their respective significant others. Tonight it seemed . . . different. She brought the glass back up to her lips and swallowed a full mouthful. It was her opportunity to tell him about breaking it off with Morgan, but Michonne demurred, even now, still using Morgan as a cover. Just in case. "How's Carl?" she asked instead.

"As well as can be expected, given everything Lori and I have put him through."

Michonne nodded. "He's a good kid. And he's resilient. I saw him about a month ago out at the farm. Tell my buddy that I miss him."

"Yeah, he misses you too."

"Maggie told me you've been volunteering here as a tennis pro."

"Yeah, I just started. They pay me in food," he laughed. "I'm coaching the junior set, six to ten year olds. Just on Saturdays. The recreation director said there's been a boost to membership, you know, having me on staff." He smile was self-deprecating. A few years ago, Rick had retired from the tennis circuit and started working as an associate head coach for the men's team at the private university that was their alma mater's biggest rival.

"Even so, you're still a traitor."

Rick chuckled. None of them ever let him forget it. "It's nice working with younger kids," he said.

"And beating cougars off with your racket?" Michonne teased.

Rick grimaced. She wasn't far from the truth. It made him uncomfortable, all the moms and grandmas that wanted to meet with him to inquire about one-on-ones or discuss their child's progress. He'd only been there three weeks; none of the kids had had time to make any progress yet. And he flat out refused to give private lessons to anyone over thirteen.

Michonne studied his face. "You looking to do something different?"

"Maybe. I don't know." He shrugged. "I've had a lot of time to think lately. I feel like I'm ready for something new, but this is what I know. And I still love the game, coaching and playing. You know what would be fun . . . remember the lessons I used to give you? I'm free to pick those back up. If you're interested," Rick offered.

Michonne remembered. She remembered sitting courtside, watching him in a fitted shirt and tennis shorts, his agile and muscled body racing and lunging over the court to serve or return the ball, rocking from side to side, twirling his racket, a blue sweat band on his head, keeping his curls and sweat off his face. She would be mesmerized watching his collegiate matches; speechless at his deep focus, at how sweat would make his shirt cling to his chest and back, and his shorts. . .

She returned to the present. "Yeah, I'm interested. I'm not sure how much I really learned, but it was a lot of fun."

"I've been talking with Maggie and Glenn about starting up a non-profit, for the kids in the Foundation. Teaching them tennis, cleaning up at parks, going camping, visiting nursing homes, setting up part-time employment at the farm. A little of what Hershel did for me and Daryl, but more. Even doing internships with Glenn at the clinic or with me on campus, workshops to help with college applications and job resumes. Maybe expanding into the community once it's established."

"Oh, what a great idea. That sounds wonderful. You'll still coach?"

Rick nodded, unable to contain a wide smile. He was eager to share his vision with her. "I've written up a business plan, would you go over it with me sometime?"

Before she could give her trademark response, he rushed to say, "I know you're not that type of lawyer."

Michonne giggled, reaching out to touch his arm. She loved that her friends knew her so well and knew that she actually treasured any opportunity to help them. She was also flattered that he wanted to review it with her, when Maggie already worked with several lawyers through the Foundation. "Of course, Rick, I'd love to help. Actually, what you want to do aligns with some of my work. And if you don't want to go through Maggie, I know a few corporate lawyers that could assist you," she told him. She looked down at her hand on his arm before meeting his eyes again. "I've missed you. It's like you've been avoiding me since Hershel died." She purposefully didn't mention his divorce.

Rick shrugged and covered her hand with his, before she could pull away. "Just had to work through some things. Between losing Hershel and then finally ending it with Lori, it was tough." He didn't tell Michonne that being around her complicated that. Mixed him up and turned him inside out. He had it figured out now.

"I'm sure it was."

"So, what do you want to do first? Gaming tables? Something to eat? The silent auction ends at eleven." He glanced at his watch. "We've got a couple of hours."

"Food," she decided, placing her hand over her abdomen. "I'm starving."


At the hot food stations, they filled their plates with hand-carved beef tenderloin, artichoke and lemon pasta, grilled vegetable antipasto and crab cakes. Rick was especially attentive and it was making her dizzy. He would touch her shoulder and lean in to speak in her ear as he asked what she would like. His fingers caressed the sensitive skin at the small of her back as he guided her among the stations. Twice he complimented her on her gold hoop earrings, touching her lobe as he did so and then running his finger from the back of her ear down to her jaw. When he did the same for her necklace, the back of his hand brushed her upper chest. She could barely breathe, as desire swirled and twisted, swelling into a large knot in her stomach. She nibbled at the food on her plate.

They were at the pub tables arranged for those that wanted to stand and eat. Rick gave her no room, standing so close their sides touched, from arm to thigh. He glanced down at her plate, noticing that she was picking at her food. The Michonne he knew always had a healthy appetite. "You want anything else?"

"Maybe later," she said. She looked at his empty plate. "What about you?"

Rick shook his head. He was still ravenous but he only wanted to feast on Michonne.

They continued walking and approached the dessert table. "Maybe dessert," she said with a smile. "Ooh, they have mousse." She selected a glass shooter filled with whipped chocolate mousse garnished with candied orange peels.

Rick scoffed. "Mousse? What's wrong with pudding?"

"But this is better than pudding. Pretentious pudding, high-society pudding. With nothing to prove because it's so good. Do you want some? It's delicious."

Rick stood transfixed while he stared at her mouth as she took another bite. Her full lips slowly covered the spoon and she closed her eyes as she savored the confection. Her tongue peeked out to sweep across her lower lip and the air in the room left in a rush. He had difficulty taking his next breath.

"You sure?" she asked again, holding out the spoon for him to take from her. Instead he placed his warm hand over her fingers and brought the spoon up to his mouth, putting his lips over where hers had been. They gazed at each other.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed slowly. "It's good," Rick finally said.

Michonne cleared her throat. "Told you."

"It's good, but it's not the best chocolate I've ever had."

Michonne paused, trying to figure out what he was hinting at. She gave him a look.

Rick clasped her elbow and leaned in close to say, "Yeah, maybe you'll let me tell you all about it later." He was debating teasing her further when out of corner of his eye, he spotted the familiar figure of Lori on the other side of the ballroom. He frowned and straightened. He didn't want to deal with any drama from her tonight; he didn't even want to see or speak to her. He just wanted to immerse himself in spending time with Michonne.

The familiar opening trumpet melody of Van Morrison's Moondance filled the ballroom. The vocalist took the microphone and began singing in smooth baritone voice.

"I like this song," Rick said. "Dance with me."

Michonne took another quick bite of her dessert before setting it down and placing her hand in Rick's outstretched one, feeling the familiar callouses he'd earned from working summers on the Greene farm. She squeezed his hand and walked with him onto the dance floor. The tempo was quick and she began to move, resting her arms on his shoulders and smiling at him. He was slightly off-beat but she didn't mind and he caught on to her rhythm quickly. Everything around them faded as they focused on each other. Rick twirled her around and brought her in close, his hips moving against hers. The band played another Morrison record next, Brown Eyed Girl. They continued holding onto to each other as they sang the words to each other, smiling and oblivious to everything but each other. Michonne realized the next song was Wonderful Tonight. In time with the song, they shifted, so that her right hand was in his left, his free arm curved around her waist and hers over his shoulder. While they slow danced, her fingers snuck into the curls that reached his collar. She played with his hair and bit her lip when she noticed his ears turn pink. It was his most obvious tell. Michonne felt light-hearted and giddy, unable to catch her breath, but in a good way, like the drop tower ride at the state fair. Except there was no safety harness to keep her protected or ride operator to stop her from falling hard and crashing to the bottom.


After several more songs, they left the dance floor and headed upstairs to the Philadelphia Room. They walked close together, brushing against each other often. Rick stopped to pick up a glass of champagne and waited a moment, so he could take another opportunity to admire Michonne from behind. She'd always had a fantastic ass; in college it would drive him to distraction and had literally been the first thing he'd seen when he met her. He shook his head and pulled at his beard before catching up with her and giving her the drink.

When they arrived, he opened the door and followed her in. He nodded to the attendant by the door but the man was preoccupied with the three teenagers that were camped out near one of the auction items. Michonne began browsing and he walked over to Noah, Beth and one their classmates, Zach.

"We're looking for Noah's hat," Zach explained. Rick narrowed his eyes. It seemed more like they were consuming all the cake and pastry samples provided to encourage bidding on a gift certificate from Sweet Cheeks Bakery.

"You know this is technically a 21 and over event, right?" Rick asked. "You two are only here because you performed." Beth and Noah nodded. Rick looked at Zach. "And you, I don't know why you're here."

"I'm their best friend."

"Still don't know why you're here. But y'all better be on your best. Period."

They all nodded and stood still, not sure if they could pilfer more dessert or if they should run off. Rick turned his head to watch Michonne. She had stopped in front a small statue of a paper-mache multi-colored cat. She ran her finger along the arched back of the sculpture, lingering on its tail before she moved on.

"Y'all go on back downstairs. There's plenty of sweets down there," Rick told the teens, knowing none of them planned to actually bid on anything.

The trio headed to the door, but Rick stopped Noah with a hand on his arm. "Noah. Go ask Michonne if she can find something she thinks would be a good birthday present for me to give Beth. Ask her if these beach photos would go well in Beth's room."

"I thought you already got Beth's gift," Noah complained.

"Noah," Rick warned.

"Alright, alright," Noah shoved the rest of the petite four he was holding into his mouth and walked over to Michonne.

While Noah and Michonne talked and headed away from the cat sculpture, Rick wandered over to it, noting the last bid amount. He quickly put down his name and added $100. He scratched it out wrote $150 instead. He wanted to ensure he won and he would pay twice that much to give her something she admired. He met them at the door.

"See anything you like?" Rick asked Michonne.

"A few things," she said. "I do think those beach prints would be nice gift."

Rick walked over and bid on those as well. "Let's go do some gambling," he said when he met her back at the door.


They entered the Cypress Room where a Vegas style casino had been set up. The country club's largest room was popular as the guests played blackjack, poker, craps and roulette. There was no real gambling actually taking place; the purchase of each gala ticket included a voucher for 500 chips. When a guest was out, they had the option of making a donation for additional chips and once they finished gambling, they could redeem their chips for raffle tickets for a chance to win several featured prizes.

After Rick turned in their vouchers, he steered her toward the craps table and stood behind her when they found an empty spot.

"Do you remember how to play?" Rick asked, reaching around her to place their chips on the rack in front of her. It was like he was everywhere, completely surrounding her. Michonne swallowed hard before shaking her head. "Teach me again."

Rick quickly reviewed the basic rules and when the stickman pushed dice her way, Rick encouraged her to roll. Michonne selected two and the rest were pulled away.

"What do I want to roll again?"

"To win on your first roll, a seven or eleven."

"What about placing bets?"

"I'll take care of that part," he assured her, already setting down several chips.

"Are you betting against me?" Michonne asked him.

"I would never."

"You're confident I'm a sure thing?"

"I would never presume. But I'm hoping. That's two hopes and a prayer."

Michonne smiled at their old joke and returned to the game. "C'mon seven or eleven," she exclaimed as she shook the dice in her hand. She held them up to Rick's lips for a good luck blow. Rick puckered his lips, brushing them against her fingers as he blew. She felt a sizzle as he took a small lick with his tongue. Michonne shivered and promptly forgot everything around them.

"Throw the dice," Rick whispered in her ear.

She flung the dice away as if they were on fire. They flew through the air, bouncing on the table before hitting the opposite wall and swiveling to a stop on two and four. Six. Those around the table clapped and most made more bets.

"I didn't lose?" she asked.

"No, you just keep rolling until you get six again. But don't roll a seven or eleven."

The stickman returned the dice to her. "Okay." She grabbed them and held them up for another blow from Rick. He kept his tongue to himself this time. She rolled an eight and then a ten. She rolled a seven-out before a six. They stayed at the table while others rolled and Rick placed bets, losing and winning chips. He answered her questions about how to bet.

When it was her turn to roll again, she scooped up the dice. "Let's go big," she said, looking down at the chips they had accumulated.

He smiled in agreement and put all their chips on the pass line. He returned to stand behind her, crowding her, the heat of his body warming her back. She gasped when he lowered his head and kissed her bare shoulder. "Good luck," he murmured against her skin.

After another blow, she threw the dice and everyone watched as they landed on a six and a five. Eleven. Michonne threw both arms in the air and whooped in excitement. Everyone around the table cheered and shouted. She and Rick collected their chips. "That's it, I'm done." she said. "Let's go get some raffle tickets."

After exchanging their chips, they walked over to the table at the far side of the room. Rick gave all the tickets to Michonne and she wrote her contact information on the back of each one. They scanned the prizes. A deluxe spa day, a hot air balloon ride, a one-year membership to a nearby gym and box office seats for one regular season hockey game. Michonne stopped in front of the glass jar that offered a four day getaway at a bed and breakfast in Charleston, South Carolina.

"That seems romantic," Rick said, his voice neutral.

"Yeah," she said and dropped most of her tickets into the jar for the spa day.

Off to their left, Sasha and Tyrese walked toward them. When Rick turned around to greet them, she put her last ticket into the jar for the getaway before joining them.

"Hey Michonne," Tyrese said. He ducked his head then looked back up at her. "I was afraid you weren't going to show."

"I wouldn't miss this for anything," Michonne said. She gave Tyrese a quick hug hello.

"Me either," Sasha chimed in and then frowned at her brother. She'd told him years ago that his crush on Michonne was pointless; that he was wasting energy and time pining after her. The two had met during Michonne and Sasha's sophomore year, when Michonne had went home with Sasha during fall break. Tyrone had fallen hard and fast. Michonne hadn't reciprocated his feelings but she knew how he felt and took care to never encourage him. He'd never actually asked her out and she'd never officially turned him down and so his infatuation had remained.

After chatting, they parted, Sasha and Tyrese remaining in the casino while Rick and Michonne returned downstairs.

"What next?" Rick asked, once they were back in the ballroom. He wasn't looking at Michonne, instead staring across the room.

Michonne followed his gaze and spotted Lori. "Are you going to ignore her all night or are we going to just go over, say hello and then move on?"

Rick studied Michonne before he nodded. "Yeah," he agreed, glancing back over in Lori's direction. "Let's go say hello." He placed his hand at the small of her back as they walked over.


Lori quickly finished her drink as she noticed Rick and Michonne heading her way. She stood up from where she'd spent the last hour trying not to be obvious about watching them. She wore a red strapless high-low ball gown and her hair curled and loose. It had been Rick's favorite way for her to wear her hair but she'd already realized she wouldn't be getting any compliments from him tonight. From the moment she walked in, she had regretted coming, but her companion was having a blast. After resigning herself to staying, she'd hoped to talk to Rick, but now wondered what she could even say to him to get him to spend time with her. She watched Rick escort Michonne and wasn't surprised to see them together. Even in college, she'd felt that Michonne was a threat. She was confident neither of them had ever done anything behind her back, even when she and Rick were just dating, but their friendship had always been a problem for her. She'd overcompensated for their closeness by clinging tighter to Rick, suffocating him and then pushing him away in some twisted way of punishing him for not having the having that intimate connection with her. At least that was what she had worked out with the help of her therapist. But ultimately, she was the one who had been unfaithful and that had been the last straw for Rick.

It was an awkward gathering of three. Michonne and Lori said hello to each other, cheerful smiles on their faces. They had never been friends but could have been if it hadn't been for the man standing with them. They were cordial and didn't dislike each other, but Lori had sometimes wished that Michonne had overstepped so she would have had a reason to hate her; a reason to demand that Rick cut all ties with her.

"Lori," Rick greeted her. There was an awkward pause while Rick wondered if he should hug her hello. Michonne answered the question for him when she took a small step away. He wrapped his arms around Lori reluctantly and as soon as possible, he stepped back and reached out for Michonne's hand. She squeezed his and he looked at her.

"I'm going to catch up with Andrea and Rosita." She motioned to where they stood several yards behind Lori, near the balcony doors.

"You don't have to go."

"No it's okay. Come get me when you're done."

He nodded. "I'll be right there."

Michonne smiled. "Bye Lori, I'll see you around."

Lori waved at Michonne and turned her full attention to Rick, watching him as he watched Michonne walk away. It was obvious Michonne had won and she didn't like losing. Lori tucked some of her hair behind her ear. "Rick."

He dragged his eyes away from Michonne's backside and looked at his ex-wife. He waited for her to speak.

"It's so good to see you. I've been worried about you. Carl said—"

"Where is Carl?"

"He's with my parents.

Rick nodded. He looked around the ballroom. "Did he come with you?" This time he wasn't referring to their son.

"No, I brought my co-worker, Donna. She's out there dancing. Shane and I aren't together anymore."

"Sorry it worked out like that for you."

"I'm sure you are. Are you and Michonne. . . ?"

"None of your business," he answered curtly.

Lori sighed. "It's just that we, that we just, everything is still so recent. Rick, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'll say it however many times you need me to. Just, please . . . I just . . ."

"Not now, Lori. This isn't the time or place."

"Dance with me?"

Rick frowned and gave a sharp shake of his head.

Lori persisted. "Can I call you later, maybe tomorrow? You can come over and have lunch with me and Carl. We can talk."

Rick squinted and pursed his lips. He looked past her to Michonne laughing with Rosita and Andrea. He knew what Lori wanted and he wasn't interested. "I don't think so. We've already said everything. I'll see you when I come to get Carl next weekend."


Michonne laughed until she had tears in her eyes at Andrea's retelling of her disaster of a date from the night before.

"So, there's not going to be a second date, then?" she asked.

"I didn't say that. He was just nervous and self-conscious. He's only been on few dates since his wife died, so it was awkward, but he meant well. And he's really handsome. He's the mayor of some BFE town north of here. So, there's potential."

"I think he's nice. And his daughter is sweet," Rosita added. She had met Penny and her father a year ago when he'd started bringing her into the ENT office where Rosita worked as a physician assistant. She had been the one to set up Andrea and Philip on their date.

"So you and Rick?" Andrea asked. "Finally?"

"We'll see."

"If you ask me, it looks like he's pretty much made up his mind," Andrea said and under her breath repeated, "Finally."

Michonne rolled her eyes. She noticed they both grew silent and shared a look. Before she could ask about it, she felt Rick's arm wrap around her waist as he joined them.

"Hey Rick," Rosita said. "We saw you getting down on the dance floor earlier."

"Nah, that was all Michonne. She makes me look good."

Andrea gave Michonne a pointed look. Michonne shook her head and knew Andrea would be calling her first thing in the morning to get details. They all probably would. She figured she should just send a group text making plans for brunch so she'd only have to tell it once. They talked until Michonne spotted Maggie outside and she and Rick joined her. Pub tables and stainless steel patio heaters were arranged throughout the balcony. Soft yellow light shone from LED lanterns. The balcony overlooked the ninth hole and was mostly deserted, outside in the cool, not quite spring, air. Rain had been forecast throughout the day, but it still held off, the cloud cover hiding the moon and stars.

"You okay?" Michonne asked Maggie.

"I am. Just a little nauseous. I mean, who gets morning sickness at night?" She rolled her eyes. "I thought I'd be past all this after the first trimester. "

"Can I get you anything?" Rick asked.

Maggie shook her head. "One of the servers is getting me a can of ginger ale and some crackers. I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" Rick asked. "You want me to call Glenn?"

"No, no, don't bug him. Let him concentrate on what he's doing."

Rick and Michonne stayed on the balcony, talking with Maggie. Eventually, the rest of their friends found their way to them. Beth, Noah and Zach slipped out on the balcony with the adults and shared a look when they weren't rushed back inside. They stood off to the side, drinking soda and talking about school, trying to figure out a way to sneak a glass or two of champagne and lamenting how all the servers knew they weren't old enough to legally drink.

Through the open balcony doors, they heard the band announce their twenty minute break. A CD player was turned on and the speakers emitted crackly sounds until It's a Wonderful World began playing.

"Ugh," Sasha complained. "I really thought the singer had my back on changing this up a bit. Tell me why we have a different band this year?" She directed the question to Andrea. "I had Timeless Wonder perfectly trained on the playlist."

"They broke up," Andrea answered. "The lead singer was still willing to do it but for the same price and we'd still have to hire a band. Loose Ends was a little bit cheaper as they're trying to get their name out there, but just as good."

"They auditioned really well," Maggie added.

The next song was another ballad and the group continued their conversation, a dedicated server finding them on the balcony to refresh their drinks. A toast was made to Hershel and they all surrounded Maggie, Beth and Rick with love and condolences. Sasha opened her mouth to make a comment about Maggie lifting up a glass of soda when the next song began.

All the shawtys in the club. . .

Sasha froze as the song continued.

Back it up, drop it down. . .

Sasha grinned and set her drink on one of the tables. "They came through. That's our cue, let's go," she said, grabbing Michonne's hand as she hurried back inside.

The ten of them filed onto the recently cleared dance floor, as if they were going to perform for judges on a televised competition. Rick stood next to Michonne, with Maggie on his left and Andrea and Rosita on her right. Tyrese and the teenagers were behind them and Sasha stood in front.

Rick looked at their group and then told Michonne, "I'm gonna stand with the guys." He made a space for himself between Zach and Beth so he was directly behind Michonne.

"Follow my lead," Sasha turned to face them, dancing in place.

"She's going to make it too complicated," Maggie laughed, referring to how Sasha always added her own extra moves.

"You already know the steps, Maggie." Sasha smiled, snapping her fingers and winding her hips. She turned back around.

"See," Maggie said to Michonne, waving her hand up and down at Sasha. "And you're no better," she accused Michonne, laughing.

Michonne smiled as she gyrated her body.

"To the front," Sasha said when the right beat hit and they all jumped forward. They wobbled for four beats and then all jumped back, moving again. "To the right," Sasha said, twirling her arms in the air.

They danced in sync, keeping to the beat. As they were stepping back on the eight-count, Michonne looked over her shoulder at Rick. He was eying her butt. He looked up and caught her watching him.

"Just watching you to make sure I don't mess up," he called out at her. She threw her head back and laughed and made to add extra swivels of her hips. She felt happy and hopeful and he looked the same. All of this was good.

After the first full pass, when they were all facing the direction they started in, more guests joined them on the floor, some knowing the moves and others on the periphery, watching the group to learn.

"I think Sasha has an admirer," Michonne said to Maggie, looking over at the redhead who was watching Sasha. He was a well-built, wearing a white dress shirt open at the collar, black pants and suspenders. He stood on the side of the dance floor, holding his drink, never taking his eyes off their friend.

"Don't talk to me," Maggie objected. "I'm concentrating." But she glanced over.

The Electric played next and then the Cha-Cha Slide. By that time the dance floor was full. The band returned and there was a period of silence as they took time to tune their instruments. The chatter from the guests filled the ballroom.

Maggie nudged Michonne, directing Michonne her to look at the saxophone player. It was the redheaded man she'd seen earlier. "That's Abe. Loose Ends is his band. He's in the army. This is his side gig."

"Well, well," Michonne said. She walked over to where Sasha was getting another drink. Michonne got one for herself as well.

"Meet anyone with potential?" she asked Sasha.

Sasha shrugged, taking a sip of her drink. She refused to be disappointed.

"I think that one is interested," Michonne said. "He keeps checking you out."

"Who?"

Michonne discreetly pointed to the saxophone player. Sasha turned and stared at the brawny, giant of man with close-cropped, wavy red hair. His cheeks were clean-shaven, but his mustache. It was bushy and the same red as his full head of hair, and it travelled past his lips to his chin. He waited to play, the mouthpiece of his sax several inches from his lips as he tapped his fingers along the keys on the instrument's body. Sasha opened her mouth to ask Michonne if she was joking when he looked over at Sasha and noticed her watching him. He winked at her and smiled broadly. He didn't look away as he started playing.

"Oh my God. You aren't kidding." Sasha voice was hushed as she took a closer look at him, starting at his head. She felt a spark of excitement at the thought of being wrapped in his embrace. "Usually I'd say he's not my type, but I'm living life open to all possibilities and new beginnings. Besides, do you see those muscles? He's about the Hulk Smash it out of that shirt."

Michonne laughed and patted Sasha's shoulder. "His name is Abe. Have fun with that."


They continued dancing, in a large circle, the final set intended to bring everyone onto the dance floor. Every time Michonne turned around, Rick was there, and they often danced with each other. Glen arrived at a quarter to midnight, seeking out his wife and pulling her off to the side as they slowed danced to Return of the Mack.

"I need fresh air," Michonne said to Rick, fanning herself with her hands. She was grateful her locs were up off her neck. She was sure some of the heat she was feeling was due to being in close proximity to Rick for such an extended period of time. Or maybe she was running a low grade fever.

Rick accompanied her back outside. They stood next to each other, Michonne leaning back against the railing. Her eyes traveled over his face, taking in his expectant expression and relaxed body language. She read his mood accurately because it mirrored her own. They listened to the Foundation chair give her closing speech and announce the ball was in its final half hour.

"This has been so much fun. I'm not ready for the night to end," she said, watching him.

"Me either," he sighed, looking down at his drink.

"And I'm hungry. Movie and leftover Chinese at my place?"

Rick grinned before taking another sip. "How left over?"

She laughed. "Just from last night. I won't try to give you food poisoning. Again. Jeez, that was so long ago. Or we can get one of the take-out boxes Maggie had the caterers set aside for us."

Rick held her gaze while he finished his drink and set it down. He ran his hand down her arm and intertwined their fingers.

"Let's go," he said.


A/N:

I had a lot of fun writing this chapter and I hope you all enjoyed it. Let me know what you think about it and please forgive any errors.

I can't thank y'all enough for all the reads, reviews and follows. Like, you guys. I'm tickled by all the love. With all the interest, I'm thinking I'll probably need to add an additional chapter (the next one was supposed to be the last).

With everything I have going on; it's going to be a week before the next chapter will be up.

Thanks again!