I got on the elevator and went down to the lobby where Kian had agreed to meet me. Seconds later I got off and saw Shane standing there. I wondered why he was here instead of Kian. Maybe Kian was waiting for me in the car.
"Hey, where’s Kian?" I asked him
"Waiting in the car." Just as I had thought. Then I realized I had forgotten something.
"Shane, I forgot my phone and stuff up in the room. Wait a couple minutes. I’ll be back."
"I’ll come with ya."
"OK."

We both went back to the elevator and I ran back in the room. I grabbed my stuff and we got back on the elevator again. A problem arose on the way down.
"Um, Shane. I’m getting the feeling that this thing isn’t moving," I said. I looked up at the number which had been stuck at four for several minutes.
"I was thinkin’ the same thing," he said.
I started hitting the button to ring a bell. I kept pushing it and no one ever came. The music stopped and the lights dimmed slightly. It wasn’t bad enough that we couldn’t see each other. I even tried using the phone to call down to the lobby. There was no answer.
"Now what?" I asked Shane.
"I have no idea. We’re not going anywhere."
"Should I call Kian and tell them to go and try and get someone in the lobby to get us outta here?"
"You could try."
There was no way I was going to spend my New Year’s Eve in an elevator in the dark. I wasn’t going down without a fight. I dialed Kian’s mobile number and he answered.
"Kian?"
"Laura, where have you been?" Kian asked.
"Kian, me and Shane are stuck in the elevator in the hotel. Can you run in and get somebody at the main desk to get us out of here?"
"Yeah, sure. I’ll go in, right now."
I could hear mumbling in the background. It sounded like Nicky. Kian handed the phone to Nicky and he started talking to me.
"Hey girlie," he said. "It’s better you than me stuck in the lift. That has to be terrible. I’d be going mad right now. Lemme talk to Shane."
"Ok. Nicky wants to talk to you," I said and Shane took the phone.
He talked for a little. Finally Kian came back.
"Laura, I went and talked to them and said that they can’t get anyone hear to get the both of you out of the lift with it being New Year’s and all. "
"You’re kidding."
"No. And I really wanted to be with you tonight."
"Son of a bitch," I said. "Sorry Kian. I’m just upset is all."
"No more than me," he said.
"Well, you guys go have fun. Bye."
"Wait. How much longer are yous stayin’? We’ll get together later this week. I promise."
"OK. See you then. Bye."
I pushed end on the phone. I looked at Shane and knew my expression told the tale.
"We’re not going anywhere, are we?" he asked.
"No," I said and felt like crying. Then I stopped myself only thinking that could make things worse.
"Someone’s gonna come in the morning."
"Well so much for a good start in the New Year," he said.
"This is my fault," I said. "I’m sorry for ruining things for you."
"Things like this happen. And it’s not your fault, cuz I agreed to come with you."
I started pacing back and forth nervously.
"Stop that. You’re makin’ me nervous. Sit down. Don’t be thinking that all that walking is going to get you anywhere."
"I know it’s not. I just don’t like this. I feel trapped."
"Look at it this way, at least you’re with me and not Nicky. He was the one that was supposed to come in and get you. He’d be going mad right now. He’s such a claustrophobic."

I sat down next to him and he put his hand on my leg.
"Just relax. Don’t worry about it."
"Shane, how can I not worry about it? I’m trapped in an elevator with a guy I hardly know. I came over here for vacation and paid all this money and now I get to see nothing. I was supposed to go on a date with Kian Egan on New Year’s Eve and I paid way too much money for this brand new outfit. That about sums up why I can’t relax right now."
"I feel for ya, but all the complainin’ in the world can’t get us out of here. And don’t complain about the outfit. You look really hot."
"Thanks," I replied. Good thing it was a little dark because I knew I blushed at the compliment.
"And you don’t think I’d rather be out at some pub drinkin’ with the lads? Honestly, you think I’d rather be in here?"
"Somehow I don’t think so."
I looked at my watch to check the time. It was only nine o’clock. "3 hours and counting until the New Year." I leaned back against the wall and looked at the ceiling.

2 hours and 50 minutes later

Shane and I had talked the whole time we were stuck there. I realized I liked him. He was really sweet and he seemed to like me too. Time didn’t seem to drag at all.
"Well ten minutes," he said.
"Yep."
I looked away for a second and he started singing
"Kiss Me At Midnight" by ‘N Sync. Was that an offer? A subtle plea, perhaps.
"Kiss me at midnight
Dance until the mornin’ light
Party into the new year
All of our friends are here
And when the time is right
Kiss me at midnight."
"I always did like that song," I said.
I looked at my watch again. 11:55. I remembered something I’d seen on tv. I can’t remember where, but it said that the guy who has his arms around you when the clock strikes twelve will be the guy who you spend the rest of the year with. I thought of that and didn’t believe a word of it. I looked at my watch again. 11:59. Shane gazed at me with the strangest twinkle in his eye and then we kissed. I ended up flat on my back with him on top of me. Our tongues intermingled. He took it past a kiss as he started to suck on my neck. My hands went up and down his back.
"Wanna start the new year off with a bang, do we?" he asked.
(Use your imagination! LOL)
We were rudely awakened when the elevator moved and the doors opened on the floor to the lobby. Ashley and Abs stood in front of us.
"Whoa! What happened here?" Ashley asked. "Laura, your shirt’s on backwards."
"Oops."
"What happened to Kian?"
"It’s a long story. Me and Shane got stuck in here when I forgot something in the room. And they said no one could come to get us out of here tonight."
"That still doesn’t explain why your shirt’s on backwards."
"Think a little. I’m not in the mood for this right now."

I went to stand up and almost fell. My legs were so stiff from being on the floor. Shane reached down to help me up. I looked at my watch. It was four in the morning. I walked in and laid down on the bed. Shane came with me and spent the night sleeping next to me. Ashley went to Abs’ room and who knows what they did. Before I could fall asleep, Shane and I kissed again. I don’t think that I could have had a better time with Kian. OK, so I was a little quick to let something like that happen between us, but I didn’t feel the least bit weird about it.

* * *

I woke up to the sound of the phone ringing. Shane was next to me. I rolled over and grabbed the phone.
"Laura?"
It was Kian. How was I going to deal with this one?
"Hey," I said groggily.
"I guess you both got out then. D’ya have any idea where Shane is?" What was I going to say? Oh Shane’s right here. He’s in my bed. Wanna talk to him?
"Um. I don’t know," I answered.
"Well, maybe he’ll show up later."
"Maybe. Bye."
"Bye."
"Who was that?" Shane asked.
"Kian. He’s looking for you. Wondering where you are. I didn’t tell him you were here."
"Good."
"Well, what ‘re you gonna do? Stay here all day with me?"
"If we can do what we did last night," he said with a mischievous grin on his face.
"What a tempting offer," I replied. He kissed me again. I came to the conclusion that I really did like him. The kissing came to an end.
"I need to go get a shower," I said. I got up to leave, but Shane pulled me back.
"You’re not going anywhere," he said and he playfully wrestled me down on the bed. "I’ve gotcha now." Just when he had me pinned Ashley walked into the room. I saw her roll her eyes and keep walking. She acted like she didn’t see anything and started rummaging through her suitcase.
"I swear I can never find anything," she mumbled. Shane sat and stared at her for a second. He was lost in space.
"Hey, Shane. Would you mind getting off of me? You’re a little heavy you know."
"That didn’t seem to be a problem last night," Ashley said and then act like she didn’t say a thing.
"Somebody got their shwerve on in that elevator and it wasn’t Humphrey the Pimpin’ Snowman."

I was getting pissed. I think she was jealous because of last night between me and Shane. And as for Humphrey the Pimpin’ Snowman, it was getting old. Ashley hummed a tune and went on about her business like we weren’t even there after that. Shane watched me flip her the finger as her back was turned.
"Naughty, naughty," he said.
Ashley turned around as the words came out of his mouth.
"You two should realize that there are other people in this room. I’d tell you both to go get a room, but you’re already in one so I guess that’s out." She went to leave again and closed the door behind her.
"What’s her problem?" I asked.
"Jealous probably."
"Maybe," I replied. "Can you get up for a second? I need to get a shower and get dressed."
"Sorry."
Shane got up and I went to get a shower. I looked at my brand new outfit. It looked a little messed up from sitting on the floor and sleeping in it but that was ok. All it needed was washed.