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‘Happy New Year!’ the crowd yelled, and people jumped up and down, hugging and kissing each other. Music blared from both inside the ballroom, and on the harbour, and the vibrant colours of fireworks exploded into the sky.
Among all the ecstatic chaos, Matt and Miranda stood still, facing each other, eyes unblinking. With a smile, Matt tilted his head slightly, and the warmth of his breath merged with hers as their lips met. Soft, sweet, deliciousness swirled between them, and her cheeks tingled as he grasped them with both hands. There was no random music being conjured in her mind, nor did she need to imagine fireworks, because tonight they were real, and so was this.
THIRTY-FOUR
Grandma Joy’s Words of Wisdom:
‘It is amazing what you can achieve when you simply decide to achieve it.’
Gina had spent New Year’s Eve at her apartment, the place she now called home, watching movies and eating popcorn with Naomi. It was one of the best New Year’s Eve’s she’d had in a long time. Who said you needed to go out partying, drinking, and hugging complete strangers to celebrate the occasion? Gina had planned on spending the evening alone, but Naomi insisted on coming over, saying that Ben was happy to hang out with his mates anyway. She’d brought dinner, and they camped out on the living room floor like teenagers; laughing, talking, and drooling over the male actors in the films they watched. When the countdown to midnight began, they simply poured a glass of red wine, and welcomed in the New Year with a toast.
Gina felt lucky to have as good a friend as Naomi, which was why she wanted to surprise her with a gift. Knowing she’d be knocking off work today at 6 pm, Gina stopped by the gym on her way to the Life Makeover Club graduation dinner. Looking completely overdressed but not giving a damn, Gina pushed open the door to the sweaty weights room, catching Naomi’s eye as she put away client files and locked the cabinet.
‘Hey, what are you doing here, don’t you have your meeting on tonight?’
‘Yeah, I’m on my way. I wanted to see you first, though.’
Naomi eyed Gina suspiciously. ‘You’re not quitting the gym, are you? Or moving away to some exotic country?’
‘Don’t be silly. I came here to give you this.’ Gina held out a gift-wrapped package.
‘But we’ve already exchanged Christmas gifts, and it’s the middle of January now.’
‘This is an extra gift, to say thank you for being there for me, and inspiring me to change my life. It’s just something small.’
Naomi smiled as she unwrapped the gift. Inside, was a cardboard box, and out of it she pulled a figurine of a muscular female in a leotard.
‘Press the button,’ Gina urged.
Naomi obliged, and the figurine moved around, kicking her legs up and down, and pumping her arms. Not only did it move about, it spoke: ‘And one, and two, and three, and four – and up and down, and left and right...’
Naomi folded in laughter. ‘Let me guess – you saw this and thought of me, right?’
‘Something like that!’
‘I love it, Gina, it’s hilarious! Thank you.’
Naomi embraced Gina, and leaving one arm around her friend’s shoulder, walked out with her to the locker area. ‘I just need to get my bag, then I’ll walk you out.’
‘Okay. So, how’s Ben these days?’
‘Actually, he’s been a bit distant, preoccupied. I don’t know what’s bugging him.’ Naomi tapped in her pin number almost without looking, and opened the locker. ‘I’m worried he feels our relationship has gone stale after all this time, and with me giving up on the whole idea of marriage, maybe I haven’t been the most attentive partner lately.’
‘Nae –’
‘I mean, it’s not like we have a boring life or anything...’
‘Naomi –’
‘...but maybe we need to spice things up a bit somehow, I dunno, get the spark back again or something.’
‘Naomi!’ Gina said, an irrepressible smile on her face.
‘What?’
Gina pointed to Naomi’s locker. Next to her bag was a red velvet box, opened up to show a sparkling diamond solitaire ring. Stuck to the box was a post-it note with the words:
Marry me? P.S – I’m waiting around the corner.
