“Good for you,” Audrey encouraged.

“Thanks, what’s your resolution?”

“To open Audrey Jane’s and succeed. I might try to convince Tate to take me to Sweden. I wanna see his home country.”

Piper smiled, “Wow, Audrey, I’ve never seen you like this.”

Audrey brows came together as she said, “Like what?”

“So in love, it’s refreshing. I’m totally jealous though,” Piper laughed.

Audrey’s face warmed and she knew it was bright red. It wasn’t from the cold either; it was from being called out on her happiness. Piper was right. She had never felt such a love in her life. When Tate had a chance, he was always saying he loved her, and she did the same. She loved him so much, and was so lucky to have found him. “I am, and I ain’t gonna lie.”

Piper giggled leaning into her as they laughed, “I’m happy for ya, babe.”

“Thanks, your time is coming.”

“You think?”

“I know,” Audrey said with a smile, “We will both be deliriously happy and married by next New Years, I bet you a hundred bucks!”

Piper giggled, “I hope to God, you’re right!”

The two women giggled, leaning against each other for warmth. When Audrey’s phone started to ring, she let out a squeal when she saw Tate’s face smiling up at her from the display. Hitting talk, she exclaimed, “Hey baby!”

“Hey, love, sorry I didn’t text you back, been busy.”

“No big deal,” she said smiling from ear to ear, “I miss you. I wish you were here.”

“I know you do, but I have a question for you before the clock strikes twelve.”

“Okay?” Audrey asked with a grin. She assumed it was about her resolution and she couldn’t wait to tell him her plans.

“Did we ever decide if it was creepy to watch the other person without them knowing?” he asked.

It felt like the world froze around her. As she slowly turned, her gaze met Tate's. He wore his thick green beanie hat, his puffy brown jacket and jeans. His eyes were tired, but his grin was unstoppable. He was only inches away from her, and within a second, she was in his arms, her phone, Piper, everything forgotten as she kissed him hard against his cold lips. His hand came up her neck, holding her close as he took over the kiss, using his tongue to play with hers. When they parted, he smiled down at her, cupping her cheeks.

“How’d you know where I was?” she asked.

Tate smiled, “Piper has been texting me, and when I got here she waved me down. I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell you I was here.”

“The right time would have been when you first got here!” she said smacking his chest, “you flew in just for New Years?”

He smiled as he nodded, “It is important to you.”

“Come on guys! It’s starting!!” Piper yelled at them. Tate took Audrey’s hand in his and they moved beside Piper to count down to the New Year. The three yelled out with the rest of the crowd, counting down and when the music note hit the guitar, Broadway was boisterous as everyone cheered and snuggled up close to their date. Audrey looked up into Tate’s eyes seeing the exploding fireworks reflected in his eyes. He smiled, and wrapped her up in his arms, kissing her passionately as if they weren’t in the middle of Broadway with a million people around them.

Audrey brought her hands up to his cheeks, nipping at his full bottom lip before she smiled up at him.

“Resolution?”

Audrey’s smile grew, “Open Audrey Jane's and to go home with you to Sweden.”

He nodded with a grin on his face as she asked, “Yours?”

“To marry you,” he said with a wink, “And win the cup, and maybe MVP.”

She had lost her breath at the ‘marry her’ part. Surely he was just joking but he didn’t seem to be. He smiled down at her, kissing her again on her lips. When they parted, she gasped out, “Happy New Year, Tate.”

“Happy New Year, love. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Chapter 24

Tate leaned against the wall that led to Audrey’s kitchen.

“Are you sure you’re not settling, Audrey?”

Tate watched as Audrey pinched the bridge of her nose. Her laptop was opened in front of her and paperwork lay everywhere across the counter. In her hand was her phone with Fallon on speakerphone. “Fallon, I promise. Everything is fine. I’m not settling for anything but perfection.”

“He was questioning and reconsidering something that you can’t change,” Fallon persisted. “The guy tells you he loves you and you’re back being putty in his hands. How is that fair, Audrey Jane?”

Tate leaned his head against the wall, shaking his head as his heartbeat picked up. Things had been fine between him and Audrey, but he knew Fallon wasn’t happy with him. Neither was Lucas. Luckily the Assassins were on a mini break and Tate didn’t have to worry about dealing with Lucas, but it didn’t keep Fallon from calling Audrey and harassing her.

“Thank you for the reminder, sister dear, and also, if it was such an issue then why does he still want to be with me and love me?” Audrey asked.

“Audrey, I have no doubt that he loves you, but he isn’t thinking. He is letting the love for you cloud his judgment and ten years from now, he’s gonna break your heart.”

“So you’re a f**king psychic now,” Audrey yelled. Tate could tell she was getting irritated. “Why is it that when I find a guy, you find every one of his flaws? Why don’t you go examine Lucas and leave me and Tate alone?” Audrey said before she slammed the phone down and shook her head. She looked back at the screen as her eyes pooled with tears, she still hadn’t noticed him. He hated that he had caused this between her and her sister. They were so close and he wouldn’t be the wedge between them. That’s not how family works.