Heading to the table, I took in the ballroom, beautifully decorated and glowing against the waterfront’s scenic backdrop and the dark silhouettes of the mountains beyond. Everything felt polished and grand, almost unreal.
After the exquisite dinner, Randall and Eleanor Evans stepped forward for a brief speech.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Eleanor said, her voice coming alive through the microphone and instantly commanding the room. “Every year, we have a little surprise for you, and this year is no different.” She smiled. “Underneath each of your chairs are coupons with numbers on them. We ask you now to please take them out and place them in front of you.” She continued smoothly, “Ten lucky winners will receive exciting gifts tonight.”
Putting on her glasses, she stirred the numbers in a fishbowl Randall brought over. “The first lucky winner of a five-night, six-day stay in the Bahamas is…” She paused deliberately. “Lucky coupon number one hundred and twenty.”
A scream erupted behind me, drawing every head in the room.
Elle jumped up and down, her hands flying to her mouth as laughter rippled through the crowd.
“Could you please come up to the stage to receive your gift?” Eleanor said curtly, though it did nothing to dampen Elle’s excitement—in fact, it only seemed to fuel it.
It was one thing not to like me, but it was a whole different thing when it came to my friends. I clapped enthusiastically as the rest of the room applauded Elle on her way to the stage.
“The next number to receive a four-night, five-day stay at Disneyland is… number twenty-five.”
This time, Matthew shot to his feet. “That’s me, that’s me!” he yelled, pumping his fist as the crowd roared with laughter and applause while he made his way forward.
The remaining eight numbers were called, and one by one, people went onstage to receive prizes—an Apple laptop, a Cartier pen set, shopping vouchers, and jewellery.
“Now, let the dancing begin!” Randall boomed into the microphone as a live band climbed onto the stage.
Time slipped away easily after that. Adults mingled, dance partners changed fluidly, and flashes from cameras punctuated the room. Laughter, music, and movement blurred together until it all felt like a warm, glittering haze.
Then gentle hands brushed my bare shoulders from behind, sending a shiver straight down my spine. I turned, and Caleb was standing there, smiling at me—his eyes warm, intent, and unquestionably focused on me.
“I can’t believe I haven’t made time to dance with the most beautiful woman here,” he whispered, his voice low enough that it felt meant for me alone.
I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. “Do you have time now?” I asked softly.
“All the time in the world.”
The butterflies in my stomach came alive. I placed my hand in his, and he led me to the dance floor. As the music began, he drew me into his arms, and our bodies fit together like they’d been made for this moment. My breathing slowed, instinct taking over as we swayed in time with the melody. I was vaguely aware of eyes on us—of the room, the music, the lights—but none of it mattered. All I felt was the warmth of Caleb’s palm at the small of my back and the weight of his gaze holding me in place.
“Do you recognize this song?” he asked.
I nodded. “It was our first dance. That night at the club.”
He smiled, clearly pleased, and pressed a gentle kiss into my hair.
I turned my head and rested it against his shoulder, letting myself sink into him. “Some coincidence, huh?”
“Not really,” he said. “I asked them to play it.”
My heart swelled, but the moment was shattered as Randall and Eleanor announced the countdown to 2012. Caleb released me instantly and disappeared into the crowd to find Lucas.
“Ten… nine… eight…” Eleanor’s voice rang out.
I’d seen Lucas with the other children only moments earlier, but now he was nowhere in sight. Panic flickered through me.
“Six… five… four…”
Please, Caleb. Please have him.
“Three… two… one… Happy New Year, everybody!”
I spun around just in time to see Lucas in Caleb’s arms, shrieking with joy as fireworks exploded outside and sparklers lit up the night sky. Caleb wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close as Lucas squeezed us both and planted loud kisses on our cheeks.
