Page 47 of Yours, For Good

"Thank you!" She sipped from her spiked drink. "My pleasure. Now you have a resolution for the new year."

"I guess I do. I'll work on it. Film noir hero goes on a journey, and all that."

My chest hadn't fully recovered, but that was a truth enough. And yet, even if I found happiness and optimism inside of me somewhere, she would always be leagues ahead. I couldn't be the shadow pulling down from Nora's shoulders.

Every nail on the coffin of my feelings lined up before my eyes. Having to protect the John Grier program and what it could do for people in Nora's situation, and the fact I had hidden who I was. That I had no business craving something from Nora she might never want to give me, especially if she learned the whole truth. And the biggest nail of all, that my disillusionment could bitter her soul.

"Three minutes!" Someone nearby yelled.

"I'm not sure what my resolution should be," Nora said, unaware of the turmoil inside of me. "I suppose it should be to get an investor for my business."

"Is that what would… feed your happiness?"

She took a second to consider. "It would make me secure."

"If that's what you need, then it's a good resolution."

"Mmh. I'll have to think about it." She sighed.

I took a deep, settling breath. My newfound truth shouldn't ruin the night. My gloomy disposition should never eclipse the sun she was.

Her silence didn't last long.

"I'm glad you're here tonight." She gazed at me and smiled. "Thanks for making this one wave a good one."

"It is a good one, isn't it?" I smiled.

My life was great. I could make this be enough between Nora and me. I could be grateful, and remember to seek happiness in the small things, too.

"Besides," she added, "I don't know that I'd be this warm under the blankets without your body heat. What was Mrs. Semple thinking? It's so small!"

Exactly like that.

I laughed. "You're unpredictable, you know that?"

"I'd never want to be boring."

The blanket came loose from her side. It started to fall down her back, but I grabbed it and pulled it back up.

I frowned, and tried to secure the blanket around her. "You're not. You're charming and frustrating in equal measure."

It took her a second to reply, so I glanced at her. I knew I was close, but hadn't expected to be this close… and with my arm around her shoulders…

She leaned closer to me and landed us in an embrace.

"Frustrating?" Her voice was quiet. "Not endearing?"

I barely heard her, despite our proximity. She studied my face, as if taking a measure of my features.

"Frustratingly endearing, then," I said.

My arm didn't respond to my commands, and it remained around her shoulders. Her eyes trapped mine. This was a little moment to find joy in, right?

"As long as there's some degree of delight," she whispered.

Her lips were close. I shouldn't be looking at them. Wasn't that part of my new year's resolution?

But it wasn't past midnight yet…