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Hayden turned his head and kissed my hair. I let out a sigh of contentment, knowing we couldn’t stay like this forever, but maybe for a few minutes longer. I thought about everything the past year had given me: the ups and the downs, the new career opportunities, the chance to find and fall in love with the man wrapped around me. I almost didn’t know what to wish for in the new year.
“Whatcha thinking about, Char?”
“Just reflecting on the year. Do you make New Year’s resolutions?” I lifted my head to meet his eyes.
Hayden shook his head. “I was afraid to want something, to reach for something, until you showed me I was allowed. And I’m not sure how any new year could top this one.”
I smiled. “That’s my New Year’s resolution then. To make sure it’s filled with moments that make you look back and say, ‘This is even better than I thought it could be.’ I’m not going to promise all highs and no lows, but as long as there’s at least one of those moments in a year, I think we’ll be doing pretty good.”
Hayden leaned in to kiss me. “I think we’ll be doing even better than good. And maybe not this year, but I think my resolution one year will be to buy you a diamond you will wear every day. Just not around your neck.”
A huge smile broke out across my face. “Maybe not this year. We should probably make it a whole year choosing to live together first. But I think someday, I’d be happy to wear your diamond daily.”
“Happy New Year’s,” Hayden said, his eyes shining with happiness.
“Happy New Year’s,” I said back, perfectly aware mine were shining with a combination of happiness and tears.
Hayden shifted, settling himself against the couch from our place on the floor, arranging my back to his front. He pulled a blanket and wrapped it around us, not interested in separating our skin-on-skin contact. He reached to the side and grabbed the jewelry box from where I had left it on the ottoman, removing the necklace. I lifted my hair off my neck as he undid the clasp and laid the necklace against my skin, securing it in place.
My fingers reached up to finger the charm. “It’s perfect.”
We sat in silence for a few moments, enjoying the tree lights, the ambient city noise, and each other.
“Can you reach the remote?” I asked, breaking the silence and the moment.
“Really?” he said.
“We can put it on mute, but we have to watch Times Square. Don’t tell me you hate Ryan Seacrest,” I said, my tone challenging him to disagree.
He laughed, reaching back to pull the remote off the arm of the couch.
“I wouldn’t dare.”
He turned the television on and surfed to the right channel as I nestled back into his body, a content smile on my face. I had no doubt we’d be happy, but we’d also never be bored. What a perfect match.
