‘Five… four… three… two… one.’
Max pulled Luke to her. They kissed, lost in each other.
‘Happy New Year!’ came a voice from the stage.
‘Happy New Year,’ Luke whispered in her ear. The people, the colours, tables – it was all a blur. He could see only Max.
‘I love you.’ The words escaped Max’s mouth before she knew it was what she was thinking. She put her hand to her mouth, blushing furiously. Hardly playing it bloody cool, she chided herself.
Luke threw his head back, laughing at her expression. ‘Don’t sweat it, kid. I love you too.’
Max threw her arms round Luke’s neck and he hugged her, lifting her off the ground. When she landed, she looked round. Lucy was at the other side of the table with Hartley.
‘Five… four…’
Lucy heard no more. She felt as though she had melted into Hartley. They were kissing. She wanted him. She had him. Nothing else mattered.
Pulling away, she looked over at Max.
Taking Hartley’s hand, she led him over to her sister and Luke. They hugged each other and kissed.
As Max embraced her sister she said in her ear, ‘I’m bloody terrified.’
Lucy looked into her little sister’s beautiful big brown eyes.
‘Me too.’ She inhaled deeply, smiling. ‘But ready too.’
‘Exactly, Luce. Let’s do it.’