Chapter 29 Nyah
NYAH
Isurprised Lucas with a new bike I’d hidden behind my dresser.
His shriek of joy filled the apartment, bright and unrestrained, and for a moment, everything felt light.
Elle and Donna came over later with their families, and as gifts were opened and pictures were taken, I smiled and laughed along, but a hollowness took root in my chest.
It felt like a part of me was missing.
A part I had left behind at the mansion.
The past few days had forced me to think about what I was feeling with Caleb. I didn’t want to be another woman on his list. He never made me feel like one, but he also didn’t say where I stood.
I had learned long ago that assumptions were dangerous, and I’d dealt with too much to ever let myself fall into that trap again.
I needed certainty.
Caleb was incredible with Lucas, with his nieces and nephews. I’d seen it with my own eyes. I still needed to be sure of his feelings—for me. Just as much as I needed to be sure Jeremy would never find me.
I called Alex for an update. He reassured me that nothing had changed since our last conversation, but I scheduled another practice session with Tyrone anyway… and another visit to the shooting range. I couldn’t afford complacency.
Work kept me busy, but on the thirtieth of December, Caleb’s text lit up my phone—and warmth spread through me instantly.
CALEB
Don’t bring anything for Lucas or you besides your jammies and comfy clothes for the next day. Everything is taken care of. See you soon!
On New Year’s Eve, Caleb’s surprise unfolded perfectly.
All the husbands took the kids for the day while the wives were treated to a spa date.
Taylor picked up Elle, Donna, and me from my place and drove us straight there, where the rest of the girls were already waiting.
The pampering loosened something in me—laughter came easier, conversation flowed, and for a few hours, I let myself simply exist.
When we returned to the mansion to get ready, I opened the gift Caleb had bought me.
My breath stilled.
The champagne gold sequined dress was stunning.
We were ready in less than half an hour, and soon we were climbing into the limo, excitement buzzing through us.
By the time we arrived, butterflies filled my stomach. At the ballroom entrance, I ran my fingers down the bodice of the dress, checking for wrinkles. When I stepped through the glass doors, I saw Caleb and Lucas waiting.
Both of them wore black-and-white tuxes.
Caleb’s neatly trimmed stubble made my pulse stumble. I walked toward them in silver stilettos, suddenly acutely aware that my eyes were level with his lips.
“You were definitely worth the wait,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “You look stunning.”
Heat rushed to my face. “You look pretty smashing yourself.”
Lucas tugged at my hand. “What about me, Mama?”
I smiled and crouched slightly. “You look very handsome too, sweetheart.”
Holding Lucas’s hand, I slipped my arm through Caleb’s, and together we entered the lobby.
His parents were already busy ensuring everything was perfect.
Caroline came over after greeting them, and I was genuinely happy to see her.
Our conversation flowed easily until I noticed Caleb’s uneasiness when he joined us.
Heading to the table, I took in the ballroom, beautifully decorated and glowing against the waterfront’s scenic backdrop and the dark silhouettes of the mountains beyond. Everything felt polished and grand, almost unreal.
After the exquisite dinner, Randall and Eleanor Evans stepped forward for a brief speech.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Eleanor said, her voice coming alive through the microphone and instantly commanding the room.
“Every year, we have a little surprise for you, and this year is no different.” She smiled.
“Underneath each of your chairs are coupons with numbers on them. We ask you now to please take them out and place them in front of you.” She continued smoothly, “Ten lucky winners will receive exciting gifts tonight.”
Putting on her glasses, she stirred the numbers in a fishbowl Randall brought over. “The first lucky winner of a five-night, six-day stay in the Bahamas is…” She paused deliberately. “Lucky coupon number one hundred and twenty.”
A scream erupted behind me, drawing every head in the room.
Elle jumped up and down, her hands flying to her mouth as laughter rippled through the crowd.
“Could you please come up to the stage to receive your gift?” Eleanor said curtly, though it did nothing to dampen Elle’s excitement—in fact, it only seemed to fuel it.
It was one thing not to like me, but it was a whole different thing when it came to my friends. I clapped enthusiastically as the rest of the room applauded Elle on her way to the stage.
“The next number to receive a four-night, five-day stay at Disneyland is… number twenty-five.”
This time, Matthew shot to his feet. “That’s me, that’s me!” he yelled, pumping his fist as the crowd roared with laughter and applause while he made his way forward.
The remaining eight numbers were called, and one by one, people went onstage to receive prizes—an Apple laptop, a Cartier pen set, shopping vouchers, and jewellery.
“Now, let the dancing begin!” Randall boomed into the microphone as a live band climbed onto the stage.
Time slipped away easily after that. Adults mingled, dance partners changed fluidly, and flashes from cameras punctuated the room. Laughter, music, and movement blurred together until it all felt like a warm, glittering haze.
Then gentle hands brushed my bare shoulders from behind, sending a shiver straight down my spine. I turned, and Caleb was standing there, smiling at me—his eyes warm, intent, and unquestionably focused on me.
“I can’t believe I haven’t made time to dance with the most beautiful woman here,” he whispered, his voice low enough that it felt meant for me alone.
I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. “Do you have time now?” I asked softly.
“All the time in the world.”
The butterflies in my stomach came alive.
I placed my hand in his, and he led me to the dance floor.
As the music began, he drew me into his arms, and our bodies fit together like they’d been made for this moment.
My breathing slowed, instinct taking over as we swayed in time with the melody.
I was vaguely aware of eyes on us—of the room, the music, the lights—but none of it mattered.
All I felt was the warmth of Caleb’s palm at the small of my back and the weight of his gaze holding me in place.
“Do you recognize this song?” he asked.
I nodded. “It was our first dance. That night at the club.”
He smiled, clearly pleased, and pressed a gentle kiss into my hair.
I turned my head and rested it against his shoulder, letting myself sink into him. “Some coincidence, huh?”
“Not really,” he said. “I asked them to play it.”
My heart swelled, but the moment was shattered as Randall and Eleanor announced the countdown to 2012. Caleb released me instantly and disappeared into the crowd to find Lucas.
“Ten… nine… eight…” Eleanor’s voice rang out.
I’d seen Lucas with the other children only moments earlier, but now he was nowhere in sight. Panic flickered through me.
“Six… five… four…”
Please, Caleb. Please have him.
“Three… two… one… Happy New Year, everybody!”
I spun around just in time to see Lucas in Caleb’s arms, shrieking with joy as fireworks exploded outside and sparklers lit up the night sky. Caleb wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close as Lucas squeezed us both and planted loud kisses on our cheeks.
“Happy New Year!” Lucas yelled.
Moments later, Caleb was swept away by well-wishers, and I found myself exchanging greetings with friends, family, and even strangers.
The night stretched on, warm and glowing, until the last song finally played.
Caleb found me again and pulled me back onto the dance floor. “Happy New Year.”
“About time,” I teased. “Happy New Year.”
It was tradition to kiss at midnight. I knew it. He knew it. His eyes told me everything as my lips parted in anticipation. What kind of kiss would it be? Soft or firm? Lingering or fleeting? That suspended moment—the not knowing—felt electric.
Then a piercing feedback whine from the microphone sliced through the air, breaking the spell.
I blinked, the world slowly rushing back in around us. My gaze found his again, and the way he was looking at me made my heart stumble. “What you planned today,” I said, trying to gather the magic back into my hands, “the dress, the spa, Lucas, my friends…” My lips curled into a smile. “Thank you.”
He smiled, but there was something wistful in it, as if he felt the loss too.
“You have no idea how grateful I am,” I continued, “and how happy it made me that we’re all together tonight.”
“I’m glad you’re happy,” he said, holding me closer. “And I’m even happier that the last dance of the night is with me.”
I melted into him, pressing my hand to his chest, feeling the beat of his heart beneath my palm. Tell me you want me, I thought desperately. Tell me, Caleb—and I’ll take back everything I ever said about only wanting to be friends.
Back at his parents’ mansion, Caleb tucked Lucas into bed.
I watched from the dresser as he loosened his bowtie and unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt, looking devastatingly handsome. In the mirror, I caught the way he exhaled, shoulders relaxing, as if the night had finally released its hold on him.
I was busy working the pins from my hair, but my attention was fixed on his reflection. One by one, my hair slipped free, cascading down my back. I felt his eyes on me before I saw him move.
He came up behind me, slowly, as though he was afraid to startle the moment. My pulse picked up, loud in my ears, my hands suddenly unsteady. When he stopped, he was close enough that I could feel his warmth and smell his cologne.
He reached for me gently and turned me around, his hands resting at my waist. “You were the most beautiful woman in the room tonight,” he said softly.
I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze, my heart pounding as I searched his face.
“A lot of people couldn’t stop watching you,” he added, his thumb brushing lightly beneath my chin. “Including me.”
I leaned into his touch without thinking and tilted my face up toward his, silently offering him everything I hadn’t said out loud. If I were four inches taller, I wouldn’t have hesitated. I would have closed the distance myself.
“I had a wonderful night,” I whispered. “It was spectacular. Thank you.”
He leaned in, slowly, as if savouring the seconds between us.
I closed my eyes, my heart threatening to burst as the space between us disappeared inch by inch. I could feel his breath against my lips. One more moment and—
“Mama,” Lucas murmured.
The sound snapped us back to reality.
We both turned instantly, watching Lucas shift in his sleep before settling again. I let out a shaky breath, my forehead falling briefly against Caleb’s chest.
“Do you think he’ll sleep in tomorrow morning?” I asked quietly, my voice barely steady.
“This morning, you mean,” he said with a soft smile that held both amusement and restraint. “It’s late.”
His hands lingered at my waist, then he leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to my forehead—slow, deliberate, full of things he wasn’t saying. “You should get some rest,” he murmured. “Good night.”
And then he was gone.
I stood there after he left, my fingers brushing the place where his hands had been, my lips still tingling with what almost was.
It wasn’t the kiss I wanted—but somehow, it hurt just as much as it thrilled.
He wanted more—I was sure of it. And I was ready too.
But somehow, the universe seemed determined to keep that first kiss just out of reach.
I removed my makeup, changed into my pyjamas, and slipped into bed, letting the night replay behind my closed eyes until sleep finally claimed me, wrapped in the echo of his nearness and the promise of a moment that felt inevitable.