Page 51 of Clock Strikes Paradise

“When? How... did you make this happen?” My quiet words were halting, dumbfounded.

Instead of replying, Clay merely winked at me. After a glance at the wall clock, he took my hand and led me back to the microphone. I moved in a daze, every detail in the room both impossibly vivid and ephemeral.

“It’s a couple of minutes to midnight,” he announced, “so let’s all hit the dance floor and welcome the New Year in style!”

As the band broke into a soft, tropical tune, we made our way to the center of the dance floor. I could have been floating on air except for the solid clicks my perfectly fitting heels made against the floor. Couples surrounded us, dancing to the music, but all I could focus on was the man before me. The man who’d just turned my life into a fairy tale.

The world around us slowed, fading to backgroundnoise as Clay and I swayed together on the dance floor. I’d never seen him dance, but I wasn’t surprised that he moved gracefully and easily. My school dance lessons came back to me, and the perfect vision was maintained as I glided in his arms. His gaze never left mine, and his hand gently traced the small of my back. Goose bumps pebbled both of my arms. The soft music enveloped us, creating an intimate cocoon that made me forget the people celebrating all around us.

“Ten... nine... eight...”

The crowd began counting down in the background, their voices a distant murmur to my ears. Our lips drew closer, drawn together like magnets.

“Seven... six... five... four...”

“Yes,” I whispered, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn’t believe this was happening, that this man who had only seen me as his assistant for so long was now inches away from kissing me very publicly.

“Three... two... one...”

The anticipation built, electrifying the air between us.

“Happy New Year!”

Everyone shouted, and at that moment, our lips met. My arms found their way around Clay’s neck, while his wrapped around my waist, pulling me even closer to him.

Our kiss deepened, fueled by the emotions we were both experiencing. His body was warm against mine, and his embrace was firm and confident. Time stood still as we lost ourselves in each other, standing on the dance floor and encased in our own enchanted world.

Eventually, the cheering crowd broke through, and I realized they weren’t just celebrating the arrival of the new year—they were cheering for us. Sheepishly, I pulled away from Clay and offered a smile to our friendsand colleagues.

“Thank you,” I murmured, heat warming my face.

“Let’s keep dancing,” Clay suggested, his eyes full of mirth as he led me back into the rhythm of the music. “So did I pull it off?”

I started to speak, but only a squeak came out. I cleared my throat and tried again, still in awe of the evening’s events. “How did you do all this?”

His grin took up half of his face. “Evan wasn’t kidding when he said he could make anything happen. And I’m not exactly a slouch in that department either, you know. I’m not sure exactly how he got the slippers made so fast, but he did. After we left the meeting this afternoon, I snuck out one of your shoes to use as a size guide and Evan did the rest.”

I laughed, still in shock. “This is the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Then I’ve done my job,” he said, pulling me closer. We danced to the obligatory “Auld Lang Syne”, staring into each other’s eyes as the first moments of the new year unfolded around us. Clay leaned down to capture my lips once more, and I threw my arms around his neck. Still kissing, he picked me up and spun me around him in a circle. Both of us started laughing.

Our mirth was interrupted as Nate and Camille appeared next to us, looking somewhat flushed but with wide grins on their faces. “Looks like we missed something big,” Nate said with a grin.

Clay frowned at him. “Yeah. The entire speech, countdown, and celebration. Where have you two been?”

Camille’s lovely smile widened as she held up her left hand, displaying a sparkling diamond ring on her finger. “Having our own celebration. We’re engaged!”

“Congratulations!” I screeched, momentarily forgettingmy own surprise and delight as I threw my arms around Camille. She hugged me back, her eyes shining.

“Congrats, little brother,” Clay said, shaking Nate’s hand. “Looks like the Harmon boys managed to do pretty well in the end, doesn’t it?”

As I slid against him, I looked up into his eyes, still a pale blue but not so icy anymore. “I can’t imagine any happier ending.”

We shared another kiss, this one sweet and tender, and moved to the rhythm once more. Nate and Camille danced alongside us. The soft music played around us, and the intoxicating scent of orchids filled the air. As I stared out the open window at the gentle ocean, a meteor bolted across the sky in a long, white streak.

I didn’t need to make a wish.

Epilogue