Nestled among several other bars and restaurants, Congress Street Up was a couple of blocks from the riverfront. Like its neighbors, it was a vibrant splash of light and life in the historical district, brightening Morgan’s mood as she and Olivia walked down the block. Winter weather could be unpredictable in Savanah, and every street was lit up with Christmas decorations as if to remind everyone that, despite the mild temperatures and the lack of snow, it really was mid-December. No one was expecting a white Christmas, but it meant that the night life never really slowed down, either, and there were couples and groups wandering up and down the sidewalks that sounded like they had holiday cheer to spare.

This was good, because as she stood looking at the brightly painted sign reading “Christmas Speed Dating!!!” Morgan thought she might need whatever extra bits of holiday cheer she could get her hands on. The sign was loud, full of bright reds and greens and bespeckled with snowflakes, candy canes, gingerbread men, and Christmas trees, and the three exclamation points made her think of an overly excited cheerleader jumping up and down. One dressed up as a Santa’s elf with shiny, silver tensile for pom-poms. From Morgan’s side, her sister’s equally excited fidgeting made her good mood give way to wary anxiety.

“Is this a trap?” Morgan asked, backing away from the sign.

“Oh, it definitely is,” Olivia said, tugging her forward and sounding much too happy about it.