Page 72 of Just My Puck
“Italy is amazing,” Lucy says with a warm smile. “I love France, but Italy already has so much to offer, and I’m not even done exploring yet.”
The DJ cranks up the music a notch, and Elio starts moving to the rhythm. “Ohh,mi piace questa canzone. Dance with me,Bella?”
Lucy takes his hand, and they walk to the dance floor.
“Shall we?” Caleb asks, waggling his eyebrows.
We start swaying to the music, and it’s obviously a popular song. Every couple in our group is dancing next to us. Even Wally and Grace.
James and Beaumont keep teasing him, and he responds by flipping them the bird.
Caleb chuckles into my neck. “They deserved that.”
“It’s almost midnight,” Aaron calls over the crowd, peering at the digital clock on the wall.
“I can’t believe the year is almost over,” I whisper, mostly to myself.
“I know,” Caleb says. “I didn’t think it was going to end like this, but I’m so happy it is.”
We lock eyes, sharing a smile that holds everything we feel.
Caleb has a point. If someone had told me on January first that this is how my year would end, I would have laughed in their face. But now, I couldn’t imagine it any other way. It’s crazy how your outlook on life dictates the direction it takes. You don’t even realize it, and soon enough, you’re stuck in a vicious cycle. But here’s the thing. You can also make it a virtuous cycle, and that’s what I’m aiming for now.
“Ten, nine, eight…” They start the countdown, watching the clock, and I’m eager to start this new year—this new beginning.
Because finally, after all this time, I’m right where I’m supposed to be. I get it now. My crappy past had to exist just so I could have a future this amazing, and I can’t wait for it to begin.
“Happy New Year!” everyone cheers when the clock strikes midnight.
Caleb draws me against him, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Happy New Year, Aria.”
And with that, he kisses me. It’s like one of those dramatic movie kisses, where he dips me low. I let out a gasp of surprise, but I know I’m secure in his arms. I wrap my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. Nothing bad will happen to me right now. I’m sure of it.
Because I’m the luckiest girl in the world.
Epilogue
Nine months later
Aria
Today is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting days of my life. It’s the official launch of my first book, and we’re having the launch party at the No Shelf Control bookstore. The girls have been amazing, promoting my book and offering to throw a launch party to help spread the word.
“Ready to go?” Caleb asks while rushing down the stairs, almost knocking down the ice-skating rink we built. “Oops. Got a little too excited there. Do you like my shirt?” he asks, pointing at a T-shirt that says “My girlfriend is the next bestselling author.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Love it. Although, that’s a lot of pressure with all these bestselling author expectations. Just because you won the Stanley Cup again doesn’t mean I’m going to be a champion too.”
He takes my hand and draws me close. “I’ll love you even if the only copy you ever sell is to me.”
Butterflies swarm in my belly every time he tells me he loves me, and this time is no exception. I couldn’t ask for a better boyfriend, a better partner.
“Phew,” I joke. “Because it’s really hard for an unknown author to top the charts—especially an indie author. And besides, that’s not even my ambition. I’m just happy to tell my story, you know?”
“Hmm, that makes sense. In that case, should I change T-shirts?”
“No.” I giggle. “It’s fine. I didn’t mean it like that.”
He pauses, thinking something over. “Actually, you know what? I think I will. I have another. Just hold on.”
