Nik had a lot to do before the end of the year, and as Dimitri’s New Year’s Eve party approached, anxiety kicked in.

Even after everything Jess had said at Starlight House, and how much fun they’d had teaching the dance class together, he wouldn’t feel fully settled until she kissed him at midnight. That was the symbol they’d agreed upon, signifying continued commitment.

Guests started arriving at nine. Nik hung around by the front door, greeting everyone, but he was really waiting for Jess. The longer the night went on, the more his nerves frayed. What if she wasn’t coming? He nursed a single beer, mostly to have something in his hands, and checked his phone compulsively for texts. His mind replayed every moment they’d spent together, looking for clues as to what had gone wrong, but when they’d parted ways at Starlight House, everything had seemed settled.

There was that word again. Settled.

He didn’t feel settled now. Had he missed her entrance? He roamed the party, searching for her, before resuming his spot by the front door again.

It was almost midnight and he was going out of his mind with worry when Natasha rushed up to him, looking frazzled. “Nik, I need you to go in the kitchen and check on catering. They’re having a champagne fiasco.”

“What do you mean?” he asked, frowning. The catering team was from the restaurant Dimitri owned, and he couldn’t imagine they’d dare to have any kind of fiasco in their boss’s house.

She threw up her hands. “I don’t know. Go check!”

“I got it, sestra. Don’t worry.” This was Natasha’s first time acting as hostess in Dimitri’s home, and she’d been more than a little stressed leading up to the party. Nik patted her shoulder and made a beeline for the kitchen.

In the kitchen doorway, Nik froze, and belatedly remembered that the catering team was set up in the garage.

Jess sat on the counter, legs swinging gently. She hunched her shoulders and gave him a little wave. “Hi.”

“Hi yourself,” he said, turning her own words back on her from just a couple weeks ago. How could it have been such a short amount of time? His whole world had changed.

He glanced at the microwave clock. 11:57. “Cutting it a little close, aren’t you?”

She sent him a cheeky grin, her dimple flashing. “Would it be mean of me to say I wanted you to sweat a little?”

“Yes. Very.”

“Does that mean you were sweating?”

“Absolutely. I’ve been hanging out by the door all night.” He held up the beer bottle. “This has been warm for two hours.”

“Gross.” Her eyes twinkled at him with good humor. Then she pulled a chilled bottle of champagne from an ice bucket behind her and held it up. “Maybe you should have some of this instead.”

So, this had been the champagne fiasco Natasha had referred to. “Did Tash let you in through the garage?”

“Yeah, I texted her. Rhianne drove me and Natasha helped me sneak in.”

He walked over, took the bottle, and drank deep.

She laughed. “Dude, you’re not supposed to chug the good shit.”

He swallowed and caught his breath. “I’ve been stressed.”

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” Her smile turned smug.

“I think you know why.”

Her tone softened. “Because you’ve been trying to woo a Scrooge who didn’t believe in love or Christmas?”

“Something like that.” He moved into the space between her knees and gave her the champagne. “I’ve also been running all over Los Angeles for three days looking at real estate. We made an offer yesterday morning and it was accepted today. Lucky for me, my big brother is a movie star and incredibly pushy.”

She paused with the bottle halfway to her lips. “You did what?”

“Bought a house.” He gestured around them. “Can’t live with Mitya forever.”

From outside, the countdown chant began. Thirty, twenty-nine…

“Why don’t they just start at ten?” she asked, but her voice was dreamy and her eyes were transfixed on his.

“Dimitri likes the anticipation. Besides, it gives people time to find someone to kiss.”

“Sounds like a good plan.” She took a swig of champagne, then passed the bottle back to him.

Fifteen, fourteen…

Nik set the champagne aside and cupped her cheek.

“Jess?”

“Mmm?”

“Why did you kiss me back? A year ago.”

“Oh.” Her lashes fluttered closed. “Because you asked. You didn’t just take.”

Nine, eight…

“Nik?”

“Yeah?”

She let out a trembling breath. “I want you to stay.”

Those five words were the best thing he’d ever heard. Inside him, the final missing piece clicked into place.

Three, two…

“Begin as you mean to go on,” he whispered against her lips.

One! Happy new year!

Amid the sound of cheers and noisemakers from the backyard, Nik kissed her long and deep, with all the love in his heart. Jess clung to him tightly, her mouth soft and lush under his, pulling him closer until their hearts beat against each other.

“Does this mean you’ll stay?” she asked when their lips broke apart, hope and her heart shining in her eyes.

“Jeshka, I bought a house.”

“But what about your tour?”

“I already turned it down.”

She gasped, eyes widening. “What? When?”

“While we were at the cabin.”

“Nik.” She shook her head at him, but couldn’t hide her smile. “You could’ve told me that and saved us both a lot of heartache.”

“And you could have just told me you wanted me to stay.” He framed her face with his hands, stroking her soft skin with gentle movements. “Besides, I needed you to trust that I meant it, otherwise you’d keep worrying I was going to leave.”

“Okay, true. But you were going to stay anyway!”

“Yeah, just in case you needed more than three dates.”

She snuggled in against his chest. “Well, it turns out I do.”

“How many more?” He wrapped her in his arms.

“Infinity dates.”

“You got it, milochka.”

She gave him another kiss, then tugged on his hand. “Now come on. I’ve been waiting to dance with you all night.”