Page 188 of A Very Merry Enemy
We stay out there for a few more minutes, just holding eachother under the stars. One skips across the sky and she points up at it.
“Did you see it?” she asks excitedly.
“I did. Did you make your wish?”
“Of course,” she tells me, and I notice how her expression softens.
“It’s eleven forty-five!” someone yells from inside.
We head back in, and the living room is packed now. Someone’s passing out more champagne and noisemakers. The TV is on with the New Year’s coverage from Times Square, the massive ball glowing against the night sky.
Everyone’s laughing and talking, the energy building as midnight approaches. I keep my arm around Holiday’s waist, wanting her close. She leans into me and I feel the ring on her finger brush against my hand.
My fiancée. My future wife.
The countdown starts with ten minutes to go. Everyone begins taking pictures, making last-minute resolutions, hugging friends they haven’t seen in a while.
“Five minutes!” Jake announces, turning up the TV volume.
Holiday looks up at me. “This is it. New year. New life.”
“Same old us,” I say, stealing a quick kiss.
The room gets louder as everyone gathers around, champagne glasses raised.
Everyone starts counting down from sixty seconds.
“Fifty seconds!”
“Forty seconds!”
Holiday’s hand finds mine. She’s grinning up at me, and I see our whole future in her eyes.
“Twenty seconds!”
“Ten! Nine! Eight!”
“Seven! Six! Five!”
“Four! Three! Two! One!”
“Happy New Year!”
The room explodes with cheers. Confetti cannons arepopped and gold and silver paper rains down. The TV displays the ball dropping in Times Square, and “Auld Lang Syne” starts playing through the speakers.
I pull Holiday into my arms and kiss her like it’s the first time and the last time and every time in between. She tastes like champagne and happiness and home.
“Happy New Year, Peaches,” I say against her lips.
“Happy New Year, future husband.”
Around us, our friends are hugging and kissing and celebrating. Confetti is everywhere. Bella’s crying happy tears. Jake and Claire are taking Polaroids of the crowd.
Then I remember.
“Oh, wait! I have something for you.”
Holiday pulls back, confused. “What?”
