Piper shook her head. “Nope.”
“Why not?”
“Still caught up on Erik,” she said simply, as if it was already known. She smiled as she shrugged. “But don’t worry, my New Year’s resolution is to change that, to find someone who wants me.”
“Good for you,” Audrey encouraged.
“Thanks. What’s your resolution?”
“To open Audrey Jane’s and succeed. I might try to convince Tate to take me to Sweden. I wanna see his home country.”
Piper smiled. “Wow, Audrey, I’ve never seen you like this.”
Audrey’s brows came together. “Like what?”
“So in love, it’s refreshing. I’m totally jealous.”
Audrey’s face warmed, and she knew it had to be bright red. Piper was right. She had never felt such a love in her life. Whenever Tate had a chance, he was always saying he loved her, and she did the same with him. She loved him so much and was so lucky to have found him. “I am in love,” she said. “I’m not gonna lie.”
Piper leaned into her as they both laughed. “I’m happy for ya, babe.”
“Thanks. Your time is coming.”
“You think?”
“I know,” Audrey said with a smile. “We will both be deliriously happy and married by next New Year’s. I bet you a hundred bucks!”
Piper giggled. “I hope to God you’re right!”
The two women laughed and continued to lean against each other for warmth. When Audrey’s phone started to ring, she let out a squeal when she saw Tate’s face smiling up at her from the display. Hitting talk, she exclaimed, “Hey baby!”
“Hey, love, sorry I didn’t text you back, been busy.”
“No big deal,” she said, smiling from ear to ear. “I miss you. I wish you were here.”
“I know you do, but I have a question for you before the clock strikes twelve.”
“Okay,” she said with a grin. She assumed it was about her resolution, and couldn’t wait to tell him her plans.
“Did we ever decide if it was creepy to watch the other person without them knowing?” he asked.
It felt like the world froze around her. As she slowly turned, her gaze met Tate’s. He wore his thick green beanie hat, his puffy brown jacket, and jeans. His eyes were tired but his grin was unstoppable. Within a second she was in his arms, her phone, Piper, and everything else forgotten as she kissed him hard against his cold lips. His hand came up her neck, holding her close as he took over the kiss, using his tongue to play with hers. When they finally broke the kiss, he smiled down at her, cupping her cheeks.
“How’d you know where I was?” she asked.
Tate smiled. “Piper has been texting me, and when I got here, she waved me down. I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell you I was here.”
“The right time would have been when you first got here!” she said, smacking his chest. “You flew in just for New Year’s?”
He smiled as he nodded. “I knew it was important to you.”
“Come on, guys! It’s starting!!” Piper yelled at them. Tate took Audrey’s hand and they moved next to Piper to count down to the new year. The three yelled with the rest of the crowd, counting down, and when the music note hit the guitar, Broadway was boisterous as everyone cheered and snuggled up close to their dates. Audrey looked up into Tate’s eyes, seeing the reflection of exploding fireworks in his eyes. He smiled and wrapped her up in his arms, kissing her passionately, as if they weren’t in the middle of Broadway with tons of people around them.
She brought her hands up to his cheeks, nipping at his full bottom lip before smiling up at him.
“Resolution?” he asked.
Audrey’s smile grew. “Open Audrey Jane’s and go home with you to Sweden.” He nodded as she asked, “Yours?”
“To marry you,” he said with a wink, “and win the cup, and maybe MVP.”