River City Connections — 2026-01-01 (Patreon)

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ABOUT LAST NIGHT by Cindi Curtis and Michael Allen

Happy New Year! Cindi, here in Michael’s kitchen, starting off the post to wish you all a great start to what will be a great year. First Michael…

By now, you probably know Jordan organized a party for last night. It was promised to be relaxed with good food, and it was. Around 10 p.m. we turned on a TV to watch the ball drop in Times Square. (Time zones considered, it would drop at 11 our time.)

Nothing remarkable had happened other than seeing Roman and Hayes try to act like they weren’t a couple. Okay… here's why I’m making this post.

At the top of the hour, the ball dropped, and the TV announcers cheered.

Then one of the announcers said, “Happy New Year! Now quick! Give someone a kiss for good luck!”

Jordan was all-in. “Michael’s got Cindi! Carter, I guess you’re stuck with me.”

Carter laughed. “I suppose it’s inevitable.”

That seemed to delight Jordan a lot more than I expected.

She smiled. “You get a sister-kiss.”

She turned to him and did that thing I’ve seen girls do where they just put their cheeks together and make a “muah” sound.”

“Wow…” Carter laughed. “I don’t think I got much luck out of that.”

Jordan turned to me. “Kiss her!”

I kissed Cindi.

“See…” Carter said. “Now, they’re going to have good luck.”

Next, Jordan turned to Hayes and Roman. “You heard the lady… Kiss for luck!”

Roman and Hayes froze, looking at each other.

Now, I take myself to be a people watcher, seeing little nuances others miss.

Hayes began to turn her cheek to Roman. Roman began to lean in, then Hayes stopped and turned back, leaned forward, and they kissed on the lips. It wasn’t prolonged. Nor was it rushed.

Roman’s voice quivered. “I thought you were turning your head.”

Hayes replied, breathless and barely audible. “I didn’t want to.”

Roman leaned his shoulder closer to her. “I’m glad.”

The rest of this Chapter is exclusive to Patreon.

Now, in the aftermath of that moment, things got quiet. For the first time I know of, Jordan was speechless.

Finally, Carter offered a benediction of sorts. “May we all find our paths in the year to come perfectly aligned with God’s plans for what is best for us.”

Cindi and Jordan both commented on their agreement, but I heard Roman whisper to Hayes. “No one can know we’re dating.”

“I know,” Hayes replied.

I didn’t say anything, but long before that kiss, it was pretty obvious.

Okay, that’s it for me (Michael) in this story. Cindi and I talked about what she’s going to say, and agreed it’s important. It’s about us…

~~

I’ll add that Jordan’s party was really everything she promised. She’s so good at things like that. And her promises about the food were not overstated!

So, around 12:15, Michael and I started back downtown from Collierville. We were riding along in his Jeep, and I felt really good.

Then, I had a thought about it being so late, and then an idea formed. I said what I was thinking before I took time to think it all the way through.

“I don’t want to go to the hotel. What would happen if I just spent the night one time? You have a separate room… It would be fine, right?”

Michael didn’t say anything for what seemed like a really long time. “Maybe it would…”

When he said “maybe” I started thinking about the idea. We’ll turn 27 this year. We know our beliefs and values. We’re anything but reckless. But the echo of his “maybe” was strong in my thoughts.

“I think,” he finally said, “it’s a bad idea. Not that one time would be a problem. I just think it would go from that to one-more-time, and then just-once-more… And every time it would be harder and harder to do the right things. What do you think?”

I knew he was right before he even finished. The convenience of staying over just doesn’t outweigh what could grow from it.

“I should have thought more before I said that.”

“Well,” Michael replied, “I’ve had the same thought a few times when it was late and I didn’t want to drive you back to ARRIVE. But I think we need to keep that boundary. Don’t you?”

“I do.” I said, then I paused for a minute or so before I added. “Are we going too fast since I came to Memphis?”

Michael looked over. “Or are we just dragging our feet? Maybe we need to name the thing we’re both thinking about?”

“Name it?”

He smiled. “We both want to get married. Maybe this spring? Summer? Don’t answer on the spur of the moment… But we’re heading there, right?”

I nodded as I sort of melted into the seat.

He went on. “We’re coming up on a year of being together you know… I count those first comments! So sleeping over is off the table. Shopping for a ring is on the to-do list for January? Too soon?

“Not too soon, if you ask me.”

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The Storylines are the heart of Ailana Geven Imagines, and they are found in the Collections section of the site.

Support AGI with:• one-time contribution through TipTopJar.• one-time contribution through Throne.• Patreon Membership.

All characters in this story are fictional characters, their images generated with AI for AGI Stories. They do not represent any real person, nor is their appearance based on any real human.

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As has been the case in the past, when the 4th wall must be broken, I get tasked to do it.I like to say that this is because, of all the AGI characters, I am the oldest (apart from Ailana Geven’s Grammy).

An’ I’ll add we don’t have any plans. Just thinking!

More

As has been the case in the past, when the 4th wall must be broken, I get tasked to do it.I like to say that this is because, of all the AGI characters, I am the oldest (apart from Ailana Geven’s Grammy).

An’ I’ll add we don’t have any plans. Just thinking!

Good Night

As has been the case in the past, when the 4th wall must be broken, I get tasked to do it.I like to say that this is because, of all the AGI characters, I am the oldest (apart from Ailana Geven’s Grammy).

May you be awesome.

Good night.

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The image of Ailana in her robe and the rest of this post is exclusive to supporters…

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The thank you message following is exclusive to supporters…

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