Chapter 38
LILY
The days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve were a blur of watching movies on the couch, kissing and touching Gabe, snuggling with my cats, eating leftovers, and snacking on all the chocolate, cookies, and candy canes I could muster.
By the time New Year’s Eve rolled around, I had no clue where the days had gone.
What I did know, though, was I loved a night out with my girls.
Jules, Eliza, and I were getting ready for the night. Jules was curling her hair in the bathroom, which was right across the hall from my bedroom, while I was flipping through the clothes in my closet.
Eliza was lying on her stomach on my bed, scrolling through her phone.
Her dark hair was down, and she’d opted for a pair of black jeans with an olive-green satin camisole.
She paired her outfit with a black belt, rings on her fingers, an array of earrings along both ears, and her signature nose ring hoop.
I always loved when she wore tank tops or T-shirts, because it showed off the small to medium-sized tattoos she had along her arms. The lily flower tattooed on the back of her right arm was, unsurprisingly, my favorite.
“You’re so going to have a romantic midnight kiss with Gabe!” Jules exclaimed, and even though I kept my gaze focused on my closet, I could imagine the bright smile on her face.
I’d finished telling Jules and Eliza about my night with Gabe after the Christmas festival, which included his addition to the back of my winter wish list. I also told them about the sweet and thoughtful Christmas gift he’d given me after dinner, but I kept the rest of our conversation and what Gabe had shared to me about his father and job to myself.
“It’s…possible.” I tried to keep my voice calm, but it rose an octave.
That got Eliza’s attention. She locked her phone and set it to the side. Jules set the curling iron on the bathroom counter and came into my bedroom.
“What’s going on, Lil?” Eliza asked.
I let out a heavy sigh, turning toward both my friends.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I feel…really confused about all this. About how I’ve been thinking about Gabe more and the building less.
How I enjoy spending time with him. How he’s so thoughtful, caring, and sweet.
How…” I trailed off, swallowing the lump in my throat before continuing.
“How I think I might be falling for someone who isn’t looking for love.
Someone who I won’t be able to forget even after he leaves.
” I rolled my lips, pressing them together in an effort to compose myself and stop the tears welling in my eyes.
At the start of the month, I was okay if love wasn’t in the cards for me. I was surrounded by different types of love in my life. Now? Something flipped, and I wanted that for myself. I wanted something all-consuming and real. And it didn’t get more all-consuming than Gabe and how he made me feel.
I crossed the distance to my bed, sitting on the edge while Eliza readjusted to do the same. Jules joined us, too, which put me in the middle.
Jules spoke first. “Your relationship and thoughts about Gabe have shifted so much since he got into town. But…I think Gabe might be more open to love than you realize.”
My brows furrowed as I tilted my head to the side. “What do you mean?”
When I looked between Jules and Eliza, they shared a knowing smile.
“Lil,” Eliza started with a gentle laugh, “that man is gone for you. Did you see how he was looking at you during Christmas dinner? Yes, he was talking and getting to know all of us, but his eyes always went back to you. He’s in complete awe of you—and probably thinking of more ideas to add to your naughty wish list.” Eliza wiggled her brows.
“See, I knew I was onto something when I was making my list.”
My cheeks flushed, and this time, I was trying to hide my smile for a whole other reason. “You really think so?”
Eliza and Jules both nodded confidently.
“There’s something magical between you two,” Jules said gently.
“It might be confusing and scary with all of these unknowns, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real or that it couldn’t work.
When Wes and I were trying to figure out what to do, I realized we’re better together, and it’s easier to come to a decision as a team.
I think it’ll be easier for you and Gabe to figure it out if you’re honest with yourself and with each other about what you want and what’s important to you. ”
I let Jules’s words sink in, realizing that the first step was figuring out what I truly wanted. And then not being afraid to say it out loud, even if there was a possibility of rejection.
I had some decisions and priorities to think through, all the while Hal’s decision on the building continued to loom over us. Luckily, I didn’t have to decide anything tonight. Tonight was all about celebrating the new year.
Wanting to change the subject, I turned to Eliza. “Anyways, tell us more about reconnecting with Colin.” Now it was my turn to give her a sneaky smile. “You haven’t said anything, and we have to find out from Marnie?”
Eliza tipped her head back with a groan.
“There’s nothing to tell! And I feel like reconnecting is too intense of a word.
We dated in college. It was fine. Nothing special, but I liked the guy.
Turns out, we’re way better as friends. Yes, friends.
Actual friends.” She gave Jules and me a pointed look.
“We’ve kept in touch over the last couple of years, and I saw him when I was in Madison for the yoga conference over the summer.
He texted me asking about New Year’s Eve, and I knew we’d be here so…
” She shrugged. “Figured an invite wouldn’t hurt.
But he’s going to see his brother instead. ”
“His older brother Leo,” I said in a sing-song tone. “You haven’t told us anything about him. Did you meet him when you dated Colin?”
“Yeah, I did. A few times before he left for Portland,” Eliza said casually.
A little too casually, if you asked me. She got off the bed and strolled out of the room before I had the chance to continue pressing her.
“I’m going to prepare three tequila shots while you two finish getting ready,” she said over her shoulder.
With a groan, I lay down on the bed. “I have nothing to wear. Jules, will you pick out my outfit?” She was the fashionista of the group and always had on a killer outfit.
Tonight, she was wearing a glittery silver skirt with a long-sleeved black mesh top over a lacy bralette.
Her outfit was paired with her signature strappy heels.
“Gladly!” Within seconds, Jules was at my closet, her wavy brunette curls bouncing as she flipped through my clothes. “I’m thinking…sexy chic. We want Gabe to drop dead when he sees you.”
I leaned up on my elbows, eyes wide. “Don’t kill the guy!”
She grinned at me over her shoulder. “No promises.”
It didn’t take long for Jules to work her magic. Within five minutes, she had a full outfit prepared for me—which included items I didn’t even realize I owned.
I was wearing a pair of medium-wash jeans that hugged my body paired with a black long-sleeve top that had an open back.
Jules also picked out gold hoops and a small gold purse for me.
My hair was pulled in a loose, low bun with pieces framing my face.
My makeup was done already—mascara, liner, concealer, blush, and a glossy pink lip.
I took in my completed outfit in the full-body mirror in my room, a smile spreading on my lips.
Jules came up behind me, hugging my shoulders. “You look perfect!”
I felt beautiful and confident—and I couldn’t wait for tonight.
My stomach started doing somersaults as soon as we got to Lake Ridge.
Well, that was a lie. It started doing somersaults as soon as I got a text from Gabe saying he was at Lake Ridge and had found Cooper and Wes. It warmed my heart that they had another opportunity to hang out, even if it was because they were waiting for us.
We walked from my apartment to Lake Ridge, our boots immediately sticking ever so slightly to the bar floor.
“Wow,” I said in awe. While Lake Ridge was typically the spot to be on New Year’s Eve, Wes didn’t care much for decorations.
This year was different. “How much of this is your doing?” I asked Jules with a grin.
She laughed. “Most of it, but I had help from Wes, Louise, and Eliza to make it all come together. Thought it would be fun to make things feel a little different as we ring in a new year. Only thing Wes said was no glitter, which is fair.”
Jules had an eye for design, and the decorations were no exception.
She kept the traditional feel of Lake Ridge that Wes and others loved but elevated it for the occasion.
There were clusters of gold, white, and black balloons stuck to the walls, as well as streamers and signs ringing in the new year.
There was also an area in the corner to take photos, in addition to the typical dance floor and bar.
I couldn’t wait to get out on the dance floor with my girls.
We shrugged our coats off, and Eliza took them to the back to safely stash them. It was the best of both worlds—we didn’t have to be cold on the walk over and were able to show off our outfits.
“I found the guys!” Jules waved.
My brother was already looking at her, as if he’d spotted her the second she walked in and was waiting for her to notice. The corner of his lips tipped up in a smile.
I scanned the group and spotted Gabe, and…he was already looking at me.
But that wasn’t the same as Wes and Jules. Right? I pushed those thoughts away for now as Jules and I approached the guys. She went straight to Wes, and I greeted Cooper before turning my attention to Gabe. “Hey,” I said with a smile.
“Hi.” His greeting was simple, but the way his eyes bore into me was anything but.
Heat coursed through my body at the way his golden-brown eyes darkened.
He took in every inch of me, and somehow, I felt more vulnerable in this moment than I did a few days ago when he gave me two orgasms on my couch.
Even though I liked my outfit and felt pretty in it, I wanted Gabe to think the same. I didn’t need his approval or praise—I knew that—but that didn’t mean I didn’t want it.
“Lily, you look…” He swallowed. “Absolutely perfect.” He took a step closer, setting a hand on the curve of my waist right above the top of my jeans.
His fingertips grazed my bare skin, which was how he found out the top I was wearing dipped low and showed off my back.
His hand moved, splaying along my lower back, his hot touch searing into my skin.
“I don’t know how I’m going to keep my hands off of you tonight, Sunshine,” he rasped, voice low, only for me to hear.
Feeling bold, I responded, “Luckily, you don’t have to.”
The corner of Gabe’s lips tipped up into a smirk.
“Alright, alright,” Cooper interrupted. “I know I’m fifth-wheeling, but you all will have plenty of time for your couple shit later. For now, let’s get the night started.”
“What’d I miss?” Eliza asked as she approached.
“Coop groaning about how he’s a fifth-wheel,” Wes said with a smirk.
“As if one of the many single women throwing themselves at him from town—or surrounding towns, for that matter—weren’t good enough.
Do you know how many inquirers I had to fend off this week—in person and over the phone—about where you’d be on New Year’s Eve and if you had a date? I lost count after twenty.”
“Shit,” Cooper said with a chuckle as he ran a hand through his messy, dark-blond hair. “Didn’t realize I was such a wanted man.” A boyish grin was plastered on his face.
Wes, Eliza, Jules, and I collectively rolled our eyes.
“What can I say? I wanted to hang out with my favorite people tonight and not worry about a date. Now, let’s get a game of pool going. Teams? And warning that Wes has been rusty lately.”
“No, I haven’t,” Wes argued, taking the bait. He pressed a kiss to Jules’s temple before grabbing a cue. “Who else is in?”
“I’ll play,” Eliza chimed in, and Gabe nodded, too.
Wes nodded at Gabe before grunting, “You’re with me,” which left Eliza and Cooper on a team.
“You better not cost us the game with your big mouth,” Eliza said to Cooper, elbowing his side.
Jules and I looked at each other and immediately grinned. “Dance floor?” she asked.
I quickly nodded in agreement. We linked arms and started to make our way toward the bar and then the dance floor.
“I’ll meet you two out there soon!” Eliza called after us.
Luckily, there was no rush. We had all night.