I'd always been the couch potato type when it came to New Year's Eve. As long as I had enough snacks, drinks, blankets, and movies, I was all set. But this time I agreed to go to Bailey's because Lea was here, just like an old time.

"I told you Susie was suss," she said after I filled her in on what happened on Christmas Eve during our taxi ride to the bar. "But it's good that she didn't pull any dramas when you came to see Dean's dad."

"She wouldn't dare, I think." My mind jumped to the night when I had a quick visit to Parker's home after Dean came to see me. Susie was just being Susie: charming, elegant, and sweet. Only, she was way too territorial to Dean this time.

When the taxi stopped at the stoplight, Lea applied the crimson lipstick that we'd agreed to wear tonight. At least I finally had a legit reason to wear the color on my lips.

"Listen, we're going to forget about da bitch and have fun tonight. We need to find a guy to snog for the countdown, and I want to get laid afterward. Man, those back-to-back classes and work schedules made me forget to pamper my pussy," Lea whined, followed by a strangled cough from the driver.

Once we entered the city, we tidied up and threw our makeup kits back into our bags. It was when I realized I couldn't find my phone anywhere.

"Shit, I left my phone home."

"Oh, no. What now?"

I shrugged. "Too late to go back, we're almost there."

"Yeah. You can always use mine if you want to call your mom or dad."

"Okay."

It was not even eight yet but the traffic was already that bad, and the sidewalks were full of people. No matter how cold it was, as long as it didn't rain or snow heavily, nothing could stop people from enjoying New Year's Eve outdoors.

"l think walking is faster from this point," Lea grumbled and I agreed.

After ten minutes of zigzagging along the busy sidewalks, we finally saw Bailey's sign blinking in red neon light. A wave of memory from six months ago rushed through my head, creating a tight knot in my belly. I hugged my coat tighter around my torso while telling myself that it was history now.

The bar wasn't that busy yet, but the effort they put into the live music stage and the spacious dance floor promised a great time ahead for everyone tonight. The Christmas ornaments still dangled at every corner of the room, with a gigantic analog clock in a gold frame hanging on the wall.

The Bailey's people cramped up in a U-shape sofa that was situated in the middle of the bar. Lea squealed as she spotted them. Josh squeezed Lea into a bear hug before introducing her to his date. Next to him, Dianne and other Bailey's girls who weren't on duty, also took their turn to hug Lea. My eyes darted to the other end of the sofa, where Brad sat comfortably with a brunette in his arms. He smiled and waved at me before Lea threw herself at him.

After ordering our drinks, we then dove into a huge gossip around Bailey's world. Many things had happened in the bar since Lea left. The juiciest news was about their former manager, Gal, who turned out to be a fraudster. He was asked to leave the team immediately after signing an agreement. It was considered lucky that the management didn't send him straight to jail. The upside of the unfortunate event was Brad being promoted to the assistant manager position.

"Good riddance! And congrats, Brad. I'm sure you will make a good manager one day." I lifted my cocktail at him before taking a sip.

"Thank you."

When the first band started their performance, the girls, who were a bit buzzed already, squealed and ran to the dance floor.

Dianne poked my shoulder. "Let's go!"

I glanced around the booth to see what my choices were. Lea had left to catch up with the bartenders while Brad and Josh were busy with their girls. I downed the rest of my cocktail before following Dianne to the dance floor.

The rock beats successfully sent our energy through the roof. We sang, laughed, and danced like maniacs. The singer even gave us his mic for us to sing a few lines, and we did it, successfully out of tune.

As the night drew on, more people arrived, flooding in and the bar was now getting pretty packed. Lea finally appeared with two Mojitos in her hand.

"On the house," she said.

"Sweet! I'm thirsty." Taking one glass from her, I took a few sips of my second drink and groaned with satisfaction as the cool liquid hit my throat.

"Guess who is here."

I looked around but it was hard to see further than a meter away. The dancing floor was crammed with people who were blocking my view.

But then I saw him.

Through the gap between two people standing behind me, I saw Blake Andrew.

He was wearing a black dress shirt with his hair neatly pulled back, looking infuriatingly hot as usual. His dark eyes were sharp and piercing, causing me to shudder even though he wasn't looking at me right now. He stood next to his cousin, Garry, while holding a beer bottle and talking to the group.

I frowned. "You never told me Garry was in town."

"I'm surprised, too."

When I caught the glimpse of the familiar blonde woman standing in front of Blake, my heart sank to my stomach. Of course. I looked away before he could feel my eyes on him.

I wasn't sure how to feel about this. I couldn't deny the excitement that exploded in my stomach when I saw him again, but having another night of witnessing him getting comfy with Daphne was not how I pictured it to be. My head started to make some scenarios to escape the night.

I leaned into Lea's ear. "I think I should go before Blake sees me."

"Uh, he knows you're here. I bumped into them when I was there."

"Please don't make me stay while he's here with her, Lee. Can I borrow your phone to call–"

"Too late, he's walking in our direction now," Lea hissed.

Shit.

Then I felt a presence behind me. My goosebumps rose on my neck as I heard his deep voice. "Jennifer, fancy meeting you here."

Yep, too late to escape him. I spun around as I stretched my lips, giving my fake smile. "I know right? Such a sweet surprise! What brings you here?"

"Nothing, really." Blake played along. "Just trying my luck. Who knows I'll get a kiss from a drunk woman like last time."

Lea snorted, a little too loudly, before pressing her lips to her cocktail glass and fixing her eyes on the next music band who was setting up their instrument on the stage. They played a different music genre this time, the calmer one.

"So, what are you guys up to?" he asked.

Lea grinned at us and I knew she was up to no good. "Well, I'm going to join the girls. And you can dance with Jen here." With that, she made a beeline to the girls who were now back in our booth. Such a traitor.

Blake and I stood awkwardly, our eyes on the stage, pretending to enjoy the music. I was debating with myself if I was going to excuse myself and run home or stay here, catching up with him as old friends would.

I took a sip of my cocktail before clearing my throat. "It's been a while. How are you?"

"I'm fine, as always. And you?"

"Good. I'm feeling great."

"I figured. Nice moves by the way," he replied as he glanced down at me, smirking.

"Huh?"

"I saw you dance. I have to say I do like the loosened-up Jennifer better." He chuckled. "You always surprise me when you drink."

"Oh." I took another sip before waving the glass at him. "This is my second glass. So, it wasn't a drunk move. And if you get a drunken kiss tonight, it won't be from me."

Blake raised an eyebrow and leaned into my ear. "We'll see about that." His familiar scent hit my nostrils and I gulped. Blake's deep voice, his scent, and alcohol were a fatal combination.

"I thought you brought a date." I changed the topic to keep me from thinking about dirty stuff.

"I came alone," he replied. "I told you I came here to try my luck. Though I wouldn't deny that watching you on the dance floor had me sidetracked a bit."

"Creep," I replied and he laughed at my remark.

The singer now sat behind his keyboard. His fingers skillfully played the intro of "All of Me" by John Legend before he started singing. Damn, he was good. More people came to the dance floor. To my surprise, Blake extended his hand to me.

"Dance with me?"

"I, uh–"

"One dance, and I'll tell you the real reason why I came here."

His answer piqued my interest, but this would be the first time we were seen dancing in public. But again, it was just a dance, right? What the worst could happen? Someone from the uni saw us and reported us? We didn't break any rules.

"Alright. One dance." I gulped down the rest of my Mojito before taking his hand.

A jolt of an electric wave traveled to my skin when our hands touched, but I tried hard to ignore it. Instead of stepping in front of me, Blake twirled me around before catching me by the waist and pulling me to him, my back on his chest while his hands settled on my midriff. I closed my eyes as we swayed to the song while inhaling his scents.

I shouldn't have enjoyed this. I needed to keep reminding myself that this was dangerous. He was dangerous because I couldn't trust myself around him, but I was too stubborn to listen to my almost non-existent sober mind right now, which funny enough, was not caused by alcohol.

"While I was away these past three months, I tried to clear my head," he started. "I was hoping that your absence would help me stop thinking about you. That your effect would wear off over time. Then I could start fresh when I was back." Blake dropped his head, his lips almost brushed my temple. "But you're too stubborn to leave my head."

I stumbled to my feet but his grip on my waist tightened, preventing me from falling.

"I know I've said that hooking up secretly wasn't a good idea. And I still believe it isn't." His thumb caressed my waist lightly. "But now I've come to the point that I'm willing to take what I can take."

I held my breath. "What are you trying to say, Blake?"

Blake pressed his lips on my ear and whispered. "I want to take us further."

"How further?"

"You tell me." His voice was deep, almost sensual, caressing my ear and every fiber of my being. "Come home with me?"

I shivered at the idea of coming to his place; a shiver that mixed with excitement. "Hmm, tempting. What are we going to do there?" My stupid question came out in a whisper.

"What do you want to do?" Blake's hands moved down on my hips before giving them a soft squeeze.

I shuddered at his touch. "This is a dangerous game, Blake."

"Yes. But this is the game I'm willing to play. Win or lose."

"You're crazy."

"Took you long enough to learn about me," he mumbled in my hair.

I shook my head, trying to sober up. "I need to think about this."

"Okay." He nodded. "I'll wait until midnight. My car is parked next to the exit gate and I'll meet you there. And if you decide not to show up, I'll understand."

The song ended and we pulled away. Despite the roaring applause from people around me, all I could hear was my own heartbeat drumming furiously in my chest.

"One night." I could hear myself saying. "If I agree to this, it's only for one night. Then I'll need my space to process it."

He looked me straight in the eyes. "I'll play by your rule, Jennifer."

I wasn't sure how long I'd been spacing out while sitting on this toilet seat. I stared blankly at the poster on alcohol-addict help in front of me. I wished there would have been another poster on hookup help.

I wouldn't lie that I was tempted. It could be just a simple hookup, without complications, but why did it feel like I was going into a one-way street with no U-turn for emergency escape? I still could change my mind. I didn't have to go with him.

My train of thought was disturbed by a shuffling sound as the restroom door was pushed open.

"So, how's Gideon?"

"He's okay. He's a little bit too sweet though," replied the other one. Her voice was eerily familiar. "Do you know why he left by the way?"

"Who? Oh, him. I have no clue."

"Sam, do you think it's because he's jealous of Gideon?"

A zipper was pulled open, or closed. "I don't know, Daph. I find my cousin hard to read. He doesn't really talk."

My breath hitched in my throat as my brain began to connect the dots. It must have been Daphne who was now standing on the other side of my door, talking to Samantha, Garry's big sister.

Someone went in and headed straight to an available booth next to mine. The two women stopped talking for a while before Sam muttered in a low tone.

"Gideon looks so much like him, you know. Next time, you should pick a guy with different hair color. No more black hair and no dark eyes. You're giving him clues."

"I know, but it did work. Didn't you see he left us once Gideon came in? He couldn't stand Gideon, I think." Daphne giggled, making me wonder if she was drunk.

"Hmm, about that. I saw him on the dance floor, though. He looked comfortable with a girl."

I almost fell from the seat. They must have heard me because they suddenly stopped talking again. Saved by the bell, the other girl flushed the toilet and went out of the booth, followed by the sound of running water from the faucet, a little more shuffling, then the wham of the door.

"He did?" Daphne asked once the person left.

"Yeah, I don't know who she is but I think I saw her sitting with Bailey's team. The one with red hair."

"Ginny. Yeah, that chick often hangs out with them. I think she has a thing for Blake. Eh, who doesn't?" Daphne giggled again. "Poor girl. Blake is just being nice to her. Or do you think he wanted to make me jealous?"

"I don't know about that," Sam replied.

Bile rose in my throat. Why did people always think that I was the insignificant one when it came to this? I was being used, I was misled, I was lied to, I was laughed at, and the list kept adding up. Was I really that worthless?

And why would she have that kind of opinion about her ex? Did Blake have a history of using women to spite her? Did he lie to me on the dance floor?

No. Blake was anything but a liar.

"So, are you going to leave with Gideon tonight?" asked Sam.

Daphne sighed. "I don't know, Sam. I have no idea what I'm going to do with him."

"Okay," Sam replied. The door was pushed open again. "Come on, it's almost countdown time."

When I passed the bar counter, it was a few minutes away from midnight. Everyone already stood with their drinks, ready to welcome the new chapter while I made my way to the coat check, but no one was there. Great. Just great. I stood there for several seconds, contemplating my next move.

People started counting, and I dashed out, exiting the bar. Screw the coat.

The cold air hit my face while I ran as fast as I could. Then I heard people finally yell enthusiastically followed by trumpet sounds. In the next second, the fireworks began rumbling in the air but I still needed to reach the exit point. Stupid, stupid me. I should have just gone straight to the parking lot instead of hiding in that freaking toilet, having cold feet. But then I would've never heard that conversation and had this urge to prove everyone wrong.

Once I arrived there, his black Mercedes was nowhere to be seen. And so was he. I was too late.

I stared at the beautiful fireworks dancing in the sky, promising a hopeful year in front of us. But I didn't feel hopeful. Missing my chance to be with him tonight hit me harder than I'd expected. I sighed with defeat before pivoting on my heels, ready to head back to the bar.

"Thought you'd never come."

I stopped short. That voice. I turned around slowly, too slowly, because a part of me was afraid that I was just imagining it. But he was real and walking in my direction.

"You're still here."

"I had to make sure." Blake stopped in front of me, frowning. "Where's your jacket?"

"Still at the coat check. I didn't have time to grab it, or I would be here too late. Well, I was late." I smiled weakly.

He took off his coat and wrapped it around my shoulders. "Let's get your jacket." In one swift movement, I was pulled back to him. "But first..." He slammed his lips against mine and he kissed me hard, catching me off guard.

I had no idea which firework that just exploded. Was it the one in my chest or the one that now roared in the sky above? I only knew I moved my lips against his, savoring him, taking him. My freezing toes, my questions about his past, or my concern about how this would work didn't matter anymore. If the magic left Cinderella when the clock struck twelve, my magic began at midnight.

Catching up for breath, Blake pulled away and rested his forehead against mine as he mumbled on my lips, "Happy New Year, Jennifer."