There was something in the air that night that I couldn't quite put my finger on, but as I stood beside Leo surrounded by our friends, waiting for the countdown to begin, I brushed it off.

Maybe it was just the New Year's Eve party atmosphere getting to me. Or it could be the rooftop view of the city. All around us, there was evidence of the night's activities, from the confetti that littered the ground, to the tables with empty paper plates and plastic cups. And now, shoulder to shoulder with Leo, we stared up at the sky and waited.

A minute left till the end of a year and the beginning of a new one.

Next to me, all cuddled under her boyfriend's arm, Charlie nudged my booted foot with hers. It was a cold night, so we were all bundled up in our winter clothes. I gave her a look, momentarily looking away from the dark heavens. She rolled her eyes then subtly pointed at Leo, then me, and puckered her lips.

My face burned at her actions and I quickly glanced at Leo just to make sure he didn't see anything. He was still looking up while conversing with Jeremy who was with his own girlfriend. I let out a small sigh of relief, then sent my best friend a glare. She only giggled quietly and snuggled further into Garrett's side. In turn, he dropped a kiss to the crown of her head.

I wanted to gag, but at the same time, I felt my stomach twist with a tinge of jealousy. Stuffing my hands into my jacket's pockets, I sneaked another glance of Leo. He was smiling at something that Jeremy said.

Sigh.

"How you doing down there?"

A bit startled, my head snapped back up to Leo. He was looking down at me with raised brows. I smiled. "Good. Wish I'd put on more layers though."

His eyes went around our little group, then nodded. "It is a bit colder than usual, huh?" Mist formed in the air with each word he said. He opened his arms to me and grinned. "Wanna warm hug?"

My heart flipped, and with as much disinterest as I could muster, I shrugged. "Sure, why not."

And I was in his embrace, strong arms wrapped around my back and my head resting on his chest. It was a warm hug indeed. I don't know how long we hugged for, and I honestly lost track of time, but when someone started shouting, "Ten! Nine!" I pulled back a bit reluctant to join the chant. Excitement charged the cold night air, and my already pounding heart only accelerated when at five, I felt Leo's gloved hand lace with mine.

My breath hitched and I stopped counting.

"Three!"

I looked back up to him, and he had stopped as well but was staring above us. I kept my gaze on him.

"Two!"

He turned to me, eyes meeting mine. I could only imagine how I looked in that moment; quizzical but...hopeful, my mouth slightly parted with a question frozen on my lips.

Another gloved hand came up to rest on my cheek, thumb tracing a line under my eye.

"One!"

Fireworks went off, but not just in the sky. They went off inside my very being as Leo captured my lips into a soft, so soft, kiss that had my heart melting and fluttering at the same time. My eyes had slid close, the hand in his tightened, and my free one clasped at the wrist of the one on my cheek.

I let the feel of his surprisingly soft lips brushing over mine wash over me as I returned the gesture. I followed his lead as he gave and took.

"Happy New Year!"

We pulled apart, but not too far. He kept his forehead on mine as for a moment we took in the sound of celebration all around us. When I opened my eyes, he was already watching me. Waiting. Then he smiled, and I knew I was gone. But from the look on his face, so was he.

"Happy New Year, Justine."

"Happy New Year, Leo."

❤

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