Page 63 of Up All Night

They filed in, making small talk and already digging into the food.

There were three more separate knocks, but none of them were West. I kept glancing at my watch. West was always so punctual. It was 7:50. Where was he? Everyone else had already arrived.

“Is someone anxious for a certain somebody to arrive?” Kate asked, leaning in close to my ear so no one could hear her.

“No,” I whispered back. “I was just curious what time it is.”

She gave me a doubtful look. “You’re curious about the time every two minutes?”

“Looks like I’m not the only one noticing the time,” I deflected.

She rolled her eyes. “If he said he’s coming, I’m sure he will be here soon. Enjoy your party. We’re supposed to be celebrating.”

She was right. I’d been so preoccupied waiting for West to arrive that I hadn’t been fully enjoying myself.

I got myself a plate of food and sat down in the living room, finally letting myself relax. The conversation flowed easily, and soon I was able to forget that West hadn’t shown up.

Almost.

So when another knock sounded, it wasn’t like I practically ran to the door or anything crazy like that.

I pulled open the door, and there stood West, with Cannon by his side. They were both in suits, so they must have come straight over from work.

“Hey, sorry I’m late,” he said. “I got stuck in traffic while getting this.” He and Cannon held up bottles of champagne, a look of success on his face.

A smile spread across my lips at the thoughtful surprise. “You bought me champagne?”

“Yeah,” he said, like it wasn’t a big deal. “We’re celebrating, aren’t we?”

My smile grew wider at his thoughtfulness. Yeah, he was late, but he had been trying to do something special. I wasn’t used to someone going out of their way to do something nice for me. I wanted to throw my arms around him and tell him how thankful I was, but I refrained. Barely.

“Did someone say champagne?” Ben yelled across the room.

Moving out of the way, I let West and Cannon walk through the doorway.

“Hey, Ben,” West greeted him. “Yes, I brought the good stuff.”

“Only the best for our Halle,” Ben said, and the rest of the group cheered.

I wasn’t sure if their cheers had more to do with the fancy champagne than me, but I reveled in their excitement regardless.

The next hour flew by. Everyone was talking, eating, drinking, and having a good time. I smiled, looking around the apartment at all the people who had come out to support me. I scanned the area again but didn’t see West. We hadn’t had a chance to really talk. He had gotten pulled into a conversation with Ben and some of the other guys, and I’d been talking about my plans for my studio with my coworkers from Encore Dance, getting their input and talking logistics.

Where was he? He wouldn’t have left without saying goodbye, right?

I glanced down at my watch. It was a little past nine, so maybe he really had left.

Looking around again, my eyes snagged on how the sliding glass door was slightly open. Through the glass I saw a tall figure leaning against the railing on the balcony, looking into the dark night.

I set my drink down on the counter and went to join him outside.

I slid the door open and slipped outside. “Hey.”

He turned and looked back at me. “Hey.”

I stood next to him, placing my hands on the railing as I looked out at the night in front of us, the fall night more chilly than I had expected.

“Are you okay?” I asked, wanting to make sure nothing was wrong.

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