WREN
It’sNew Year’s Eve. My least favorite holiday of the year.
I’m at the Lancaster residence with my boyfriend. His parents went to a party and they’re staying the night at the hotel where the festivities are being held, and Crew promised we’d be all alone.
Just the two of us.
But the moment I show up at his apartment, I realize he tricked me, and I don’t mind at all. There are people from school there. People I know and like, including Maggie. Lara and Brooke. I spot Ezra and Malcolm talking in a corner, the both of them laughing. Balloons crowd the ceiling with long curling ribbons, all of them pink and gold and white. Pink roses cover every available space and there’s a tower of champagne glasses on a table, each one full of the bubbly liquid.
I spot a pink and white cake on another table, surrounded by presents.
It’s everything I described to him that night. Every single thing.
I glance up at Crew, who’s watching me with so much love shining in his eyes.
“You threw me a party,” I whisper.
“A New Year’s birthday party,” he says, grabbing hold of my hand and pulling me in for a kiss. “I hope you don’t mind.”
I’m so overwhelmed I’m afraid I might cry.
“I don’t mind,” I croak, grateful he holds me close so I can sniff into his shoulder, closing my eyes tight so the tears don’t leak.
“You look beautiful, Birdy,” he murmurs when I finally pull away.
I’m wearing a sparkly white dress. The sleeves are poufy and the bodice is deep, showing plenty of cleavage. The skirt is extra short and I leave a trail of iridescent glitter everywhere I go.
“Thank you. So do you.”
Crew is in a suit. Black. White shirt underneath, the top buttons undone, no tie necessary. He looks handsome and sexy, and every time his gaze lands on me, my skin goes hot, because I know what he’s thinking about.
Me and him, naked. That’s happening soon, after the guests leave. But right now, I want to go say hi to everyone.
So I do.
I make the social rounds, Crew by my side, like we’re a real couple, which we are. There’s a table laden with catered food and plenty to drink, and eventually I get a plate, loading it with food before I grab a glass of champagne from the tower and sit with Maggie, drinking and eating while we catch up with each other.
It feels so good, spending time with my friends and knowing Crew is nearby, always with a steady eye on me. He mentioned to me a few days ago that he and Ezra talked it out, and they’re not angry at each other anymore, which makes my heart happy.
Eventually someone starts playing music and it’s so loud, people start dancing. The alcohol is flowing.
It’s turned into a real party.
“Have a drink, Wren!” Ezra encourages and I shake my head.
“I’ll wait until midnight,” I tell him, sending a secretive glance in my boyfriend’s direction.
“Aw come on—”
“Leave her the fuck alone, Ez,” Crew says, effectively shutting his friend up.
I can’t help but giggle. He’s still so grouchy. But never really toward me.
When it’s close to midnight, I end up standing by the Christmas tree, staring out at the city’s glittering lights. The heavy scent of pine still lingers, and I glance over at the tree, taken by the white lights. Crew comes up to me, I see his reflection in the window. He wraps his arm around my middle, his hand splayed across my stomach as I lean into his solid weight behind me.
“I want to tear off this dress.” He streaks his fingers across my stomach.
“If you tear it, I’ll hurt you.”