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She stood beside him, bundled in her coat, her cheeks pink from the cold, her eyes bright as she took everything in. Every so often, she glanced around like she was trying to memorize it all.

He stepped in behind her, wrapping his arms around her to keep her warm.

She leaned back into him instantly, looking over her shoulder with a soft smile. “Mmm… cozy. I like it.” Snuggling closer, she added, “If I’d made a wish a year ago, it wouldn’t have come close to this.”

“Yeah?” he asked, his voice quieter than he intended. “What would you have wished for?”

“Probably clarity. Direction.” She gave a small, thoughtful shrug. “I was just… existing. I figured that’s what everyone does in their twenties. I never imagined I’d find something like this.” Her smile softened. “So, thank you. This is beyond anything I would’ve dreamed. Sometimes I feel like I should pinch myself just to make sure it’s real.”

He could have teased her—but he didn’t.

Instead, he held her a little tighter.

“No pinching required, beautiful,” he murmured. “This is real.”

The emcee’s voice carried over the crowd, announcing the countdown would begin in just a few minutes. Around them, people shifted closer together as champagne glasses were passed around, laughter rising as scarves were adjusted and hands were tucked into pockets.

Alesha exhaled slowly, her gaze drifting out over the lake. “It’s kind of perfect,” she said. “All of it.”

“Yeah,” he agreed—but he was watching her, not the view.

Walker and Harlow stepped up beside them, and Walker nudged his shoulder. “Just so you know, the fireworks won’t start until fifteen seconds after midnight.”

Reece blinked. “Why’s that?”

“So everyone can get their first kiss of the new year without missing the show,” Harlow said with a grin. “We’ve got priorities.”

Alesha laughed softly.

“I’m so glad you’re both here,” Harlow added. “Reece is practically family around here, and now you are too, Alesha.”

“Aww…thank you,” she said, smiling.

The crowd began the countdown.

“Ten… nine…”

Alesha shifted in his arms so they were facing each other. Reece’s gaze locked on hers, everything else fading away.

“Eight… seven…”

The last month flashed through his mind—finding her on the bookstore floor, their first kiss, the parade, decorating his tree, Christmas, the wish tree…every moment had led here.

“Six… five…”

And somehow, he knew this was exactly where they were always meant to be.

“Four… three…”

Her fingers tightened in his coat as she leaned closer.

“Two…”

His hand slid up to cup her face, steadying her.

“One…”

Midnight.