For a small town,Cozy Creek knew how to throw a New Year’s Eve party. After Christmas and how the town had transformed, I shouldn’t be surprised.
It felt like the whole town came out for the New Year’s party on Main Street. The night was freezing cold, but almost all the storefronts were still lit up as the town milled from one building to the other, sharing champagne, looking at Lily’s photos, and celebrating. I chatted with a miraculously healed Gigi, with Madi and Cole, who stared at each other like Levi and I stared at each other. Lu Billings whispered softly to Noah Cooper, a bright smile illuminating her face.
“Lu and the new Huber driver look awfully cozy,” Iwhispered to Levi. I was secretly delighted in having many new friends and knowing the happenings about town.
“He doesn’t drive for Jimmy anymore, and that”—he lifted his chin to the two who were locking eyes—“is a long story I’ll tell you about later.”
I raised my eyebrow, intrigued. Another local love story, perhaps?
It was perfect. I was buzzing with joy and happiness I never dreamed I could have. And Levi was there on my arm, making everything a million times better.
“And that’s the thing about eels. Scientists really aren’t sure how they reproduce. It’s a mystery.” I had been talking for a few minutes now. I wasn’t really even sure how we got to the lifespan of an eel. Mrs. Kathy Wilson smiled and nodded, but her eyes pinged around the gallery behind me.
“Oh, yes. Excuse me, Claire. I see someone I need to talk to.” She smiled and stepped away.
When she left, I shrugged and turned to Levi, still expecting on some level to see him wince or be embarrassed. Instead, I found him looking at me in that way that meant our plans were about to be overturned in exchange for getting naked.
“Don’t look at me like that. We have hours until midnight.” I bumped his shoulder with mine.
He leaned closer, his nose pushing my hair off my shoulder to better brush against my neck. “Nobody would even notice if we left.”
“It’s your gallery opening. Pretty sure they would notice.”
He hummed, and it sent chills all over my body.
“I mean, maybe just five minutes,” I gasped out.
He chuckled and grabbed my hand to tug me away just as Pace stepped up. “Hey, you two lovebirds.”
Levi grumbled something not very nice.
“The place looks great. Cheers, man.” Pace held up his glass, and the three of us clinked glasses.
“Thanks,” Levi said. He cleared his throat. “And thanks for everything the last year. And not giving up on me.” He held Pace’s gaze as he spoke.
His best friend’s eyes were wide, a goofy half-smile on his face as he listened. “Of course.” He swallowed. “I know you’d do the same for me.”
They clapped each other into a hug, neither of them speaking but clearing their throats and avoiding eye contact.
Pace’s gaze shot behind us. “I gotta go. Happy New Year if I don’t see you.”
“You too.”
“Happy New Year,” I said as Pace moved away quickly, glancing over his shoulder.
“What was that about?” I asked Levi under my breath.
Levi watched his best friend disappear into the crowd, a look of consternation on his face. “I’m not sure. But I’ll find out.” He looked at me, and his features softened in a way that made me want to melt into a puddle just so he would have to scoop me back up. “I think I’ve been a little distracted lately.”
“Is distracted better than beingbored?” I askedinnocently.
His eyes darkened. “Much. Much better,”
He grabbed my hand, and we toured the gallery as I admired the pieces. “There are so many here,” I said, continuing to be in awe of Levi’s talent.
“I’ve been inspired these past few months.” Every time I looked at him, he gazed at me in a way that made me ready to get him home.
I stopped in front of one I recognized. It was the woman, encased in the trunk of a tree, mouth covered as she seemed to call out in pain. It was titled “Grief.” My throat tightened. “I hope you didn’t put this one out for me if you weren’t ready.”
