Epilogue
Ethan
“Hold still.” I fixed the loose bobby pin at the nape of Maren’s neck. Her breath caught at the touch, and our eyes met, letting the moment draw out longer than it probably should have.
“There,” I said, stepping back a fraction, letting my hand linger near her shoulder, careful to hide the shift in the air between us.
“I can’t believe I’m here,” she whispered, her eyes wide as we navigated past clusters of Boston’s elite. “Liv’s going to lose it when I tell her I’m at another one of the mayor’s parties.”
I laughed softly, brushing a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. “I’m just relieved you’re okay with using the ‘m’ word now.”
We swept into The State Room, Maren’s arm hooked through mine, Miles’ fingers interlaced with hers on her left, and Adrian sticking close behind.
A unit that squeezed my chest whenever I thought about it.
This wasn’t like any other time we’d done it.
Shared a girlfriend. This… with her… felt different.
A waiter paused, and we grabbed our drinks. Flutes of sparkling white that was sure to get the party started.
Adrian tugged at his bowtie. “Another New Year’s Eve with the ‘m’ word. I suggest we ditch the tuxedos next year. Fly somewhere warm, no ties required.”
“Oooh, I’ve always wanted to go to Australia,” Maren gushed.
“Forget ties,” I said with a laugh. “I heard they don’t even wear shoes there.”
“Perfect,” Adrian said with a blissful sigh.
“Hey, I know that guy.” Miles pointed to the band. Neither of us knew exactly which guy he was talking about. Cool funk rolled over the floor, vibrating through the crowd as it coaxed people to dance.
I took Maren’s glass and handed it, along with mine, to Adrian with an easy nod.
“M’lady.”
Maren’s smile grew wider and she took my outstretched hand, letting me lead her onto the small dance floor near the band. Within minutes, Miles and Adrian joined, the latter boldly choosing to dance as though no one was watching. Which, given his awkward moves, meant that everyone was watching.
I guided her into a turn, the skirt of her gown catching a shimmer from the chandeliers as she moved.
She nailed the spin effortlessly, her laugh warm above the music.
Then I redirected her with a light touch at her hip, sending her toward Miles, who stepped in naturally without a second thought.
He caught her with a sure hand, continued the twirl without missing a beat, and dipped her low enough to draw a delighted gasp from her.
Adrian’s version of dancing was… enthusiastic. He kept a beat, barely, but he did it with style. Loose limbs and an easy grin, his bowtie slipping further undone with each sway. People glanced over, amused, and he just winked and carried on.
Maren straightened from Miles’ dip and pushed her hair back, cheeks flushed, eyes bright. She looked between the three of us like she couldn’t decide who to go to next, and that spark in her gaze settled something inside me.
Then the band edged the tempo down and decided for her. The groove softened into something that asked for closeness, and the space around us tightened as couples paired off.
I caught Maren’s hand and tugged her back into my arms. Her breath hitched against my collar as she settled in, her fingers curling at my shoulder.
Across from us, Miles pivoted easily and swooped the mayor’s wife into a smooth sway, one hand at her waist, the other guiding her with relaxed confidence. Maren glanced that way and huffed a small laugh.
“There’s no off-switch with him, is there?”
I shook my head slowly. “He’ll charm the shine off a window if you let him.”
Adrian had already drifted toward the bar, bowtie hanging loose. He caught my eye and lifted his glass in a casual salute. I answered with a small nod while spinning Maren just enough to reset her against me.
Her arms slid around my neck, drawing me closer until her cheek hovered near mine.
The warmth of her… it got under my skin quicker than I liked admitting.
She tilted her head, giving me the faintest invitation.
I dipped in and let her scent pull at something deep in me, feeling the way her breath ghosted along my throat.
“You know, the way you start the new year sets the tone for everything to come,” I murmured, letting my lips brush against her ear. She shivered slightly, but smiled up at me. “And I think this year is off to a pretty damn good start.”
The song ended, and we moved from the dance floor to a quieter corner of the room, just enough to catch our breath but not so isolated that we missed the party completely.
The night swirled on. Canapés, glittering drinks, the hum of conversation around us, and the soft swell of music that made me feel like we were on the edge of something amazing at any given moment.
Somewhere between champagne and a slow waltz, Maren leaned into me, her cheek brushing mine. “I’ve never felt like I belong anywhere like I do right now.”
I swallowed hard. Between all the messing around and playful flirting, moments of absolute honesty still struck me deeply.
“Good,” I whispered, and pressed my lips briefly to her temple. “Because you belong with me. With us.”
She looked up at me, and I could see that tentative trust and joy blooming there. It warmed me all over. My reward for meeting her in that rare vulnerability.
The minutes slid by, glasses were steadily emptied, music pulsed, and we moved from one corner of the room to another, always near her, dancing or flirting, just enjoying her.
“Two minutes,” Adrian said, winking at Maren. “Not that I’m counting, but that midnight kiss is crawling closer.”
Her cheeks turned red. “I wish there was a way to kiss all of you at the same time. Because that’s how I want to start my new year. With all of you.”
“But since it’s impossible,” Miles said, sidling up to her. “It’s me, right? I get to kiss you first?”
She arched an eyebrow at him. “Why don’t you all take off your shirts, find some mud, and fight it out?”
I took her hand, giving it a slight tug toward the back exit. “I have a better idea.”
“You do?”
Before she could protest, I led her through the party, past clinking glasses and laughter, past our coworkers and the mayor’s glittering entourage, up the grand staircase and out onto the service elevator. Miles and Adrian followed the route without a word.
The elevator doors opened onto the rooftop, and I stepped out first, letting the city unfold before us.
Boston stretched in a glittering panorama, snow catching the reflection of the streetlights, the harbor twinkling in the distance.
Fireworks were already beginning to pop in the sky—bright explosions of color mirrored in Maren’s wide, green eyes.
She gasped, her free hand flying to her mouth. “Oh my God,” she breathed. “This… Ethan, this is amazing.”
I felt a rush of satisfaction at her reaction, which was mirrored on the guys’ faces.
“Well played,” Miles said, gazing out over the city. “This is way better.”
Adrian shook his head, rubbing his arms. “Cold as hell, though.”
Maren didn’t hesitate. She pulled him close, wrapping her arms around him to share whatever warmth she had. “Maybe it would’ve been a good idea to grab our coats.”
I shrugged out of my jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
She shivered a muffled thanks, resting her head on Adrian’s chest. I stayed close behind her though, not liking the idea of too much space at a time like this.
The city below glimmered, and the distant echoes of music from the party felt like a heartbeat beneath the crisp night air.
“See?” I whispered, letting my lips brush her temple. “I bet you wouldn’t choose the mud wrestling over this.”
A low chuckle bubbled out of her. “You want me to answer that honestly?”
“Shh, listen.” Miles had come to stand beside me, his head cocked to the side. We stopped talking, and realized what he meant.
The sky had fallen silent. The music wasn’t playing.
“Won’t be long now,” I murmured, snaking an arm around her waist.
The countdown began echoing faintly from the streets below, the rhythm carrying up to us: “Ten… nine… eight…”
Maren reached out to take my hand, her other arm still holding onto Adrian. Miles shuffled closer to hold onto her from behind. All three of us, staking our claim, however small. And yet, completely.
“Three… two… one…”
The sky erupted. Fireworks painted the horizon in blinding hues of gold, green, and purple. They reflected in Maren’s eyes, lighting her face with streaks of color that made my chest ache. She gasped and I laughed, pulling her into me.
“Happy New Year,” I whispered against her lips, and she pressed hers to mine, soft at first, then more urgent.
Miles cupped her jaw and tilted her head back at the right angle. The kiss was firm. Slow. Heating up. But then Adrian ran his fingers along her shoulder, up her neck, to hold the back of her head and guide her mouth to his.
I stepped back slightly, watching her, watching the three of them—us, her, together—and it hit me all over again.
“Happy New Year.” It came out in a contented sigh as she looked at each of us in turn.
The fireworks continued to burst in the sky, mirroring the pulse of adrenaline and plain old joy. Maren’s laughter, light and unrestrained, carried over the cold night air as she pulled each of us into another kiss, one by one, rooting us in the moment.
When the last rocket exploded overhead, the sky still lingering in embers of gold and crimson, Maren pulled back just enough to laugh softly, breathless. “That was incredible,” she whispered. “I love you all so much.”
I stroked her cheek, my eyes catching hers in the glow of the fading fireworks. “And we love you,” I said, confident enough to speak for all of us.