Resolution Pact: First Kiss

“Yeah, but I’ve got plenty of jets that can do that. You said this one could do that over land without blowing out people’s eardrums.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “I’m expecting results and so does the President.”

“Yes, I’m well aware.” I nodded. “The initial tests are promising, and we’ve made some adjustments. After we do a few more test flights, I’ll be ready to show you what all of Uncle Sam’s money is paying for.”

“Good.” General Briggs patted me on the shoulder. “I’m glad I didn’t have to make a trip to your office to get that update. If you’ll excuse me, one of your billionaire friends is chatting up my wife.”

“Better be careful.” I chuckled under my breath. “We’re irresistible when we talk about our money.”

“I’ll break my foot off in his ass.” General Briggs growled and started walking towards his wife.

Okay, where did Brittany go? Please tell me she didn’t run off again…

I quickly grabbed two glasses of champagne and looked at the empty spot where Brittany was standing when I left her. The crowd was starting to gather for a better view, and the ball was dropping. People were already starting to count down the final minute. I still didn’t see Brittany anywhere, and as more people gathered near the edge of the roof, my chance of finding her quickly diminished. Even if I could spot her, getting through the crowd without pushing someone out of the way was going to be impossible.

Damn it…

My frustration grew as I realized that I was going to miss my chance to plant a kiss on those gorgeous lips at midnight. All I could do was watch the ball drop while my heart dropped into my stomach in the process. There weren’t many moments in life when it was socially acceptable to kiss someone you just met randomly—and I was about to miss my opportunity to kiss the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on.

Fucking bullshit. Why can’t I have a normal life where things don’t have to be this freaking complicated? Why did I walk away—we should have just toasted with empty glasses.

I accepted my fate, stared at the ball, and listened to the last ten seconds tick away like explosions in my head. The moment came and went. People cheered. Fireworks went off. 2018 officially came to an end, and 2019 began. I seemed to be the only miserable person in the crowd. The group started to disperse after they had their midnight kiss, watched the initial round of fireworks and finished the drink in their hands. The party would continue well into the morning hours, but I was ready to go home and be done with the entire night.

I guess I can’t blame her for leaving. I probably came on too strong.

Wait, there she is!

“Brittany!” I waved and started pushing my way towards her.

Fifteen minutes earlier

I stared at my phone after Bradley went to refill my glass of champagne. I had never met anyone like him. He was so confident—so charismatic—and so incredibly hot. Stacy’s message said we should go for it and a lot of my sorority sisters were replying that they intended to do precisely that in 2019.

Am I brave enough to do the same thing? Bradley probably has no idea that I’ve never been kissed before…

I’ve had opportunities before, but none of those moments felt right—not like this.

I decided that I was going to take my sorority sister’s advice. One kiss wouldn’t hurt anything, even if it were my first. It would be one hell of a way to ring in 2019—that was for sure. I found my lips twisting into a smile as I thought about it. I was nervous, but my resolve was starting to gather. I looked over at the champagne table and saw that Bradley hadn’t even made it there yet—he was talking to another one of his guests.

Hopefully, he makes it back in time.

I nervously looked at the clock on my cell phone as the final minute approached, and then the crowd started to gather around me so they would have a good view of the ball dropping in the distance. I lost sight of Bradley and realized that there was no way he was going to make it to me in time once the final seconds arrived.

Oh well, maybe it’s for the better. I won’t have a chance to regret it if he’s not even here.

I watched the ball drop, stared at the mesmerizing array of fireworks, and then the crowd started to head back inside. It was time for me to go home. The moment had passed. I pushed my cell phone into my purse and turned around—a second later I saw him wave at me.

“Brittany!” He started pushing against the flow of people that were going back into the building. “I’m so sorry! I tried to get to you, but…”

“It’s okay.” I shook my head back and forth. “I got to see the ball drop in person without standing in Times Square. That was fun, but I think it’s time for me to go home now.”

“Come on, don’t go.” He reached out and took my hand. “I don’t need fireworks to kiss you.”

“It’s okay, I promise.” I forced a smile. “Thank you for inviting me to your party. It was nice to meet you.”

“Give me another chance.” He squeezed his hand. “I can still kiss you at midnight.”

“When? Next year?” I raised an eyebrow.

“No, come with me.” He started walking, and I didn’t even have a chance to respond before we were back inside the building.