The New Year's Eve party is perfect, no detail has been overlooked—including the dress I'm wearing. Ellie picked a red satin sheath that comes off one shoulder for me. She left my hair down in big, flowing curls, and my makeup light, "for the first part of the night." I don't have a clue what that means.
The transition from dinner to dancing is smooth. All the top white table linens are being removed, revealing shiny gold and silver coverings, and the DJ announces he is now taking requests.
Taking a sip of my gin and tonic, I admire the splendor. When Patty first explained the party was going to be on the patio, under tents, I never in my wildest dreams imagined this result. The walls of the tents are staked into the ground and create a seal to keep in the warm air from strategically placed heaters. The pool is now the dance floor, covered by a hard plexiglass and metal frame, the water visible below.
But it's the decorations which are the most astonishing—silver and gold is the theme of the night. Now that dinner is over, the lights are dimmed, emphasizing the countless strands of white lights twinkling like stars on a clear night.
Ryan steps next to me and points across the dance floor at Paul talking to the DJ.
"That didn't take long," I chuckle.
"It's what he lives for at these events, so he can dance the night away," Ryan says. The DJ turns to his stack of CD's, and Paul is standing with his hands on his hips. "And now he's trying to find you, tiny dancer." He nudges me with his elbow, grins, and then waves his hand over his head until Paul spots us.
"I hope you're properly hydrated, K. I gave the DJ a long list of requests," Paul states when he makes it through the crowd to Ryan and me.
"Not my first dance, Paul." I finish my drink, hand my glass to Ryan, and grab Paul's hand so he can lead me to the dance floor. This is our thing—Paul and me—we dance and dance and dance. I'm pretty sure that's how I met him, the only two people shaking it to Baby Got Back at a party freshman year, so, naturally, we became best friends. Ryan, God love him, has two left feet, zero rhythm, and is happy to leave us to it.
After five songs, I limp off the dance floor, exhausted and in need of water. I spot Leigha and work my way over to her table. I drop into the chair next to her, let out a long breath, while my arms and shoulders slump at my sides. Leigha laughs, her eyes sparkling even in the low light, and leans closer to me so I can hear her over the music. "You look like you're having a good time. Paul's a maniac on the dance floor."
"He's fun, but he has boundless energy." I elbow her. "You should dance with him while I recover."
"Maybe I will, since Will's off wandering around at Francine's insistence, greeting people he doesn't remember meeting, but manners dictate he acknowledge. Rich people have stupid rules." She swirls the ice in her glass, looks past me, and nods her head at someone. "Your man is headed this way."
I glance over my shoulder. Alex has a smile on his face, and I'm in awe of how handsome he is. I love him in a tux, perfectly tailored to his body, his confidence astoundingly sexy. It's a mystery how I got so damn lucky—and one I'm not remotely interested in solving.
"Hey, Leigha, are you enjoying yourself?" he asks.
Her smile widens. "Of course, it's the perfect night—magical," she says with a wink.
Alex chuckles. "Mind if I steal Kylie away for a dance?"
"Not at all."
Alex slides his hand into mine, maneuvers us through the tables, and onto the center of the dance floor. The music starts and Alex wraps his arm around my waist, kisses my hand, and draws my body tightly against him. We sway to the guitar intro. So far, we're the only ones on the dance floor, and no one looks like they're going to join us.
"Why isn't anyone else dancing?" I whisper in Alex's ear.
He glances around. "Maybe they’re taking a break." He pulls me in close again, nuzzles close to my ear, and sings the lyrics softly, "I won't give up on love…"
I close my eyes, let the words consume me—now more meaningful coming from Alex. The party slips away, and nothing exists outside the two of us, the music, and the promise of true love forever.
True love.
I never really believed it existed—never thought it was actually possible—until Alex. He turns so many things I thought about love upside down. Alex is my one true love, he owns my heart, and I trust him to cherish it and keep it safe.
I think about my parents, the lives they had together and apart, and mourn for them. My mom left for something better and has spent years jumping from one marriage to the next, each relationship doomed from the start, and never understanding love is giving as much as receiving.
My dad—he wasted his life grieving a lost love, unable to accept he'd been duped into thinking they shared an unbreakable bond. He never tried to find someone new to love, who would love him in return—accept him for who he was and what he could offer. He died the day my mother walked out the door, a ghost of the man I knew as a young child.
And then it hits me—the love Alex and I share is so rare. Not everyone experiences love this deep. Love that slips into the heart, and lives in the soul, and becomes as life-sustaining as breathing air. I have that, and I will never take it for granted.
Alex leans his head back, gazes into my eyes. "I once told you that our lives were perfect just as they are—that I didn't want or need more. I was wrong. I need you—by my side forever. I want to give you everything, my heart, my soul, my life. All my love. Vow to protect your heart and your love, and I want my vow to be binding."
I'm breathless.
"Marry me."
Every part of my body tingles. I'm paralyzed, physically and mentally. Alex is staring at me, his eyes soft, but also wary.
"You want to marry me?" My mouth is suddenly dry, and I can barely manage a whisper.
He smiles, and his gaze never leaves mine. Nothing feels real. My head is swimming. Am I breathing?
"Marry me, Kylie," he asks again.
This can't be real…can it?
"Ky—"
Adrenaline surges through me.
"Yes!"
For the first time in my life, I'm certain of what the future holds. My future is in front of me. "Yes, Alex, I'll marry you."