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.”
