It’s New Year’s Eve, a day that holds no excitement for me. I’d rather stay in and watch a movie until my eyes close, preferably by ten p.m. With Sydney in town, I know that won’t be happening.
“Hi,” Sydney says, walking to the kitchen and leaning on the counter. “Are you ready to ring in the New Year?”
Savannah starts talking about our plans for the night, and I take Sydney’s bag into my room and push it against the wall. When I come back out, Savannah is still talking.
“We’ve been together for forever, but neither of us feel the need to make the next big step. Society has determined we should be married with two kids by now, but” —she shakes her head, her long blonde hair swishing— “no thank you. We’re doing things our way.”
Sydney claps. Her inner feminist is doing backflips. “Bravo. Good for you.”
Savannah bows and nearly hits her forehead on the sink. She straightens, cringing at the nearness.
“No more accidents,” I tell her. “One trip to urgent care in the past week was enough.” As if she needs the reminder.
“Ahh, but if Dr. Sexy is there, the trip might be worth it,” Savannah counters, one finger lifted in the air.
“Dr. Sexy?” Sydney reaches over and swipes a slice of apple from Savannah’s plate. “Do tell.”
I shake my head. “There’s nothing to tell.”
Savannah gives me a look. “Except that there is.”
“Out with it,” Sydney says around a mouthful of apple.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “The doctor who stitched me up was cute. End of story.”
“Notthe end of story,” Savannah states. She looks at Sydney. “He asked for her number.”
Sydney’s eyes widen. “Did you give it to him?”
“Savannah made sure he got it.” I open the fridge and peer into it. I’m not hungry, but I want something to do with my hands while I’m being interrogated.
“You bet I did,” she says proudly.
“Doesn’t matter.” I close the fridge and walk away. “I don’t want to see him.”
“At some point, you will,” Savannah insists.
And what point will that be? When Aidan tells me the gender of his baby? Or when I receive the begrudgingly sent invitation for Allison’s baby shower? Those things loom in the distance like dark clouds dancing over the horizon. I wish I could shut my eyes and turn my back on them.
I realize that I can’t. I can’t quit life. I can’t quit showing up for my friends and family. Even when that means showing up for Aidan with a smile on my face, even when my heart is crying.
“Hey,” Savannah says, leaving the kitchen and coming to my side. She places an arm over my shoulders and pulls me in tight. “It’s going to be okay. We’re going to go out tonight. You’re going to put on something hot. You’re going to ring in the New Year like it’s your job. This next year is going to be your best. Trust me.”
I do as Savannah says because it’s so much easier. I wear a red dress with a low-cut neckline. I drink champagne, and at midnight, I kiss my sister’s cheek. Aidan calls a few minutes after. I duck out of the bar to get away from all the noise. The street isn’t that much better, but at least I’m away from the cacophony of voices.
“Happy New Year.” His deep voice is low and gravelly, wrapping around my champagne soaked thoughts and sneaking into my heart.
“Happy New Year,” I echo, the words slipping slowly from my throat.
He chuckles. “Have you been enjoying the champagne?”
I giggle. “Veuve.”
“The good stuff.”
“Savannah's boyfriend was being generous.”
“I see.”
