Maybe This Time(78)

The music stopped and into the microphone the singer called out, “Twenty, nineteen …”

The crowd started counting down with her. “Eighteen, seventeen …”

I tipped my glass to my lips and ate one of the cherries. Immediately the memory of kissing Andrew flooded into my brain. I looked at the cord in my hand. What was I doing? Was it really going to be me and this piece of rope at midnight? Was I really going to let Andrew just walk into Shelby’s lips?

“Fifteen, fourteen …”

I took a deep breath and yanked on the cord. The balloons spilled out of the net and a surprised cheer emitted from the crowd followed immediately by popping balloons. Pop. Pop.

“Eleven, ten …”

I dropped the rope, left the cup behind, and ran down the stairs barefoot. I ran around the Barn and into the crowded room.

“Three!”

I couldn’t find him.

“Two!”

Pop. Pop.

“One!”

I spun in a circle, greeted by only backs.

“Happy New Year!”

I pushed my way through bodies, trying to orient myself. Everything looked different down here and I didn’t remember where Andrew had been. People were hugging around me. I ran into a solid form and realized it was Russell, lips locked with my best friend. The sight made my heart fall. I pushed off to the left and battled my way through the crowd and floating balloons.

“Lance!” I said, nearly running him over. “What are you doing?”

“What?” He seemed clueless.

“Nothing. Have you seen Andrew?”

Lance shook his head and I took off. I couldn’t find Andrew. And I knew it was too late. I’d waited too long. Did I really want the next people I ran into to be Andrew and Shelby? I didn’t need to see that.

I found my way back outside, around the Barn and back up the stairs. I downed the last cherry in the cup. I watched Lance weave aimlessly through the crowd below, occasionally picking up the remnants of the balloons, getting a jump on cleanup. The image depressed me. I turned to go.

Andrew stood at the top of the stairs.

My breath left me.

A slow smile spread across his face. “Happy New Year, Soph.”

I took in a jagged breath.

“You’re hard to find. And fast, by the way,” he said.

It took me five large steps to close the distance between us and then I lost my courage. I stood, an arm’s reach from him, frozen.

His courage was still intact. He wrapped one arm around my waist and lifted me up against his chest. “I’m going to kiss you now,” he said.

My toes brushed the floor and I nodded. He didn’t need more permission than that. He brought his lips to mine. I slid my arms around his neck and kissed him back. He tasted like cherries. Or maybe that was me. I didn’t even care; he tasted like heaven. I was kissing Andrew. And maybe he’d break my heart or be the great love of my life or maybe I didn’t need to know any of that right now, I could just enjoy this. I could enjoy being pressed against him, feeling each breath he took, each move he made. It felt like I was floating on air, dancing in the clouds in a billowy silver dress. He lowered me to the floor but didn’t let go, just pressed another kiss to my shoulder, then rested his cheek against mine.

“Have you been eating cherries?” he asked.

I smiled. “I’m sorry. I know you hate cherries.”

“I love them now. So much.”

I kissed his cheek, then looked at his beautiful face.

“I have a confession,” he said.

“What?” I asked, still breathless.

He backed up a little and I realized his left hand was behind his back. He pulled it out, revealing a small blue flower. “I’ve had a relapse.”

I tried to narrow my eyes in mock anger but it didn’t work.

“But I know the girl who arranged them and I think she’ll forgive me.” He held it out for me. “Something beautiful for someone beautiful.”

The line sounded just as cheesy this time around. But it also made my head float back in the clouds. I took the flower and brought it to my nose, then let it lightly brush against my lips.

He watched me intently. “Are you going to say anything?” he finally asked.

“Like what?”

“I don’t know.”

“Like, don’t leave?” I asked.

“For starters.”

“Like please talk your dad into taking the mentorship in Birmingham?”

“You want me in Birmingham?” he asked.

I nodded. “I want you here, but that’s the next best thing.”

“I thought you were heading for New York after graduation,” Andrew said. “So I figured I’d better be there waiting.”

Oh. “That’s why you didn’t push for Birmingham?” I asked.

“Of course.” Andrew leaned closer to look at me. “You are heading to New York after graduation, right? I know you. You’ve realized you deserve to follow your dream.”

He had figured me out. “I am heading for New York.” At least that’s what I hoped to do. I took a breath. “I’m not my father. Following my dream doesn’t have to mean abandoning my home and the people I love.”

“Of course not. You love this place,” Andrew said.