Pierre is standing in the middle of the rink, surrounded by candles, dressed in a suit, looking nervous and hopeful, and so in love it makes my chest ache. Tears well in my eyes. Issy starts walking, her red evening dress flowing behind her, and tears are already streaming down her face.
Halfway down the red carpet, Pierre drops to one knee. We are far enough away that we can’t hear what he is saying. Then she starts nodding, and fireworks explode into the sky, the crowd erupts as Pierre slides the ring onto her finger, then kisses her just as the snow starts to fall. It's perfect. I'm crying. Collette is crying. Everyone is crying.
I glance at Emmett, he's watching Pierre and Issy, a soft smile on his face despite the pain. When he catches me looking, his smile widens. I wish I could go to him, wish I could take his hand and stand beside him.
But I can't. Not yet.
Everyone rushes toward Pierre and Issy. Hugging. Congratulating. The energy is electric.
I make my way to Pierre and hug him tight. "I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks, Jo." He's beaming. "I can't believe she said yes."
"I told you she would."
Issy pulls me into a hug next. "I'm getting married!"
"I know! I'm so excited for you!"
The team is heading to the Rose Hotel for the after-party.
I find Emmett near the edge of the crowd. “I’m off to get those tests.”
I nod. “I want to come.”
He shakes his head. “Your brother just got engaged, it’s New Year’s Eve. Go to the party and have fun. I’m just going to go home and pout on the sofa.”
“You shouldn’t be alone.”
“I won’t be for long. Come visit me when you get home.”
“You’ll be asleep. I don’t want to wake you,” I tell him.
“Here,” he says, holding out a key card. “I should have given this to you sooner, but I think now is a better time than never.” He hands me the keycard. “It’s the key to my apartment.”
“Emmett …”
“Nope. No taking it back. You told me you loved me earlier.”
“I did.” I smile.
“And so did I. And I want to see my woman any time she wants.”
“You do?”
“Fuck, yeah, I do, Trouble. Come find me when you’re done,” he says.
“Happy New Year, Captain.” This makes him smile.
“Happy New Year, Trouble.”
The party at the Rose Hotel is in full swing. Music. Dancing. Champagne flowing. Pierre and Issy are the center of attention. Everyone wants to congratulate them, see the ring, hear the story. They're wrapped around each other, lost in their own bubble of happiness. I stay. Smile. Hug people. Toast to the happy couple. But my mind is elsewhere, with Emmett, alone in his apartment, in pain. At eleven, I grab my coat. I can’t do it any longer.
Collette catches me. "Where are you going?”
"I have to leave.”
"You can't. You'll be missed.”
