Chapter 2

2

J essa pulled on a sparkly, tight-fitting mini dress. The black dress hugged her in all the right places, and she admired herself in the mirror. Her dark hair was in waves down her back, and her makeup was perfection.

She didn’t know if the blue-eyed stranger would be there, but according to her internet searches, this was the place to be in Wintervale tonight. She may have put more effort into her looks than she normally would.

“You look hot,” Megan said.

“Oh, this old thing,” Jessa said, flipping her hand in the air.

Megan laughed. “This isn’t about that beautiful man in the lobby, is it?”

Jessa rolled her eyes. Yes. “No. But even if it was, this is the outfit I packed for tonight. So it’s not like that would change, regardless.”

“Uh huh. We both know I’m not talking about the dress.” Megan gave her a meaningful look. She wore a similar mini dress, but in pink. They both had gone shopping together before they arrived in Wintervale to find an outfit for the New Year’s party tonight. They didn’t know what to expect being in a small town, but as far as the website was concerned, it seemed to be a big deal.

Jessa shrugged, not bothering to argue the point with Megan. They both knew she was right. Jessa never had cared to go out of her way to look perfect because she was never trying to impress anyone. But for some reason, this stranger lit a fire in her. Even though she didn’t know if he’d be there.

Or if he was single.

Or if he’d be interested, for that matter.

But she didn’t care. She didn’t live here, and there was nothing like having fun in a town with people she’d never see again.

“Ready?” Megan asked.

Jessa looked in the mirror one last time before nodding and grabbing her clutch. “Ready.”

The two women made their way down to the lobby and followed the signs to the ballroom. Streamers hung from the ceiling, a disco ball spun, casting shimmering light around the room, and the place was packed. It seemed like the entire town was there, as so many people milled about.

Jessa caught her eyes wandering, looking for the tall, dark, and handsome stranger. But with as many people as there were there, she knew the chances of her spotting him were unlikely. Especially since she had only seen him once before.

“He’ll turn up,” Megan said.

“I’m not concerned.”

Megan gave her a knowing look, and Jessa blushed. They moved over to the makeshift bar and waited in line to get drinks. The noise got louder and louder the closer it got to midnight. Excitement was in the air as the new year approached.

“Are you ready for this?” Megan asked.

“I’m ready for the new year. New cities. New states.”

“Perhaps new countries?”

Thrill shot through her. New countries. New experiences.

“Perhaps.”

They clinked their glasses together and then watched the countdown on the large television mounted on the wall.

“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six,” the crowd chanted.

A man stepped up next to Megan and winked at her.

Megan looked at Jessa, and her eyes widened. Jessa tipped her head toward him. One of them would get a new year’s kiss, at least.

“Five, four, three, two, one. Happy New Year!”

Voices rang out all around and lips were pressed together. The man next to Megan pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Jessa looked around. It seemed as if everyone had someone to kiss.

Or almost everyone.

Her eyes snagged on the mystery man across the room, and her legs moved of their own accord. He walked toward her, and butterflies immediately took flight in her stomach, a feeling she rarely got. She stopped before him and tipped her head back to look up at him. They were directly beneath the disco ball.

“Hi,” she said.

“Hello. It seems we’re the only ones without someone to kiss.”

“It sure seems that way.”

He hooked his finger under her chin and dipped his head, pressing his lips to hers. Electricity shot through her body. Cheers went up around them as people celebrated the new year, but everything fell away for her. She could only focus on the soft lips of the blue-eyed stranger in front of her.

But just as quickly as it started, it ended. He pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, causing goosebumps to erupt down her neck, before turning and disappearing into the crowd.

Megan grabbed onto Jessa’s hand and giggled, shouting over the noise of the crowd.

“Was that him?”

Jessa nodded, craning her neck to see if she could spot him. It was like he had vanished. She gently touched her swollen lips, instantly craving more. She wouldn’t rest until she saw him again.