: Part 12 – Chapter 44

I stare down at the city from up above, through the glass windows of the top floor of the Veneta, an oceanside venue on the south end of Miami and the usual location for Banks & McKenzie’s New Year’s Eve party.

I’ve been attending since I started working at my dad’s company after graduation, but tonight has a completely different vibe.

The celebration over our new big account is in full swing with the team, and a bunch of department heads dance with their significant others as the countdown to midnight gets closer and closer.

It’s reminiscent, in a way, of Prince Charming’s ball where he met Cinderella, and my chest pangs thinking about that early conversation with June on the Midnight chat.

My dad and my mom make the rounds, greeting people from all departments and levels, and Seth stands in a corner with Bethany, sulking about his loss.

I don’t want to be preoccupied with him or them, though. Because, for me, all that matters tonight is having June show up so I can tell her how much I love her.

I pace the carpeted floor so much I stand to wear a hole in it if I do it much longer.

Glancing back at the entrance of the room yet again as the DJ announces it’s only ten minutes until midnight, I straighten my tie one last time.

“Come on, Avery,” I mutter to myself, my stomach twisting as people chatter around me about the new year.

Harry, Eddie, Laura, Madeline, and Jay wave at me from the bar, but I can’t even fathom carrying on a conversation with them right now. I barely know my own name.

Finally, I catch a peek of my sister’s dark hair and a long green dress as she steps through the front door, looking for me. I wave from across the room, and she nods, a cocky smile spreading across her face.

Thank God.

My heart pounds and my palms sweat as I step forward, craning my neck around people to get a look at June as she steps through the door behind Avery.

Her long copper hair is swept to one side of her head, falling down in a line in front of her shoulder, and a long red, unbelievable dress hugs her body. Supple skin shows through cutouts in the side without her hair, and her strong shoulders sit high with a confidence I haven’t seen in her in a long time. Her makeup is perfect and subtle, and my God, does she ever take my breath away.

I’m a fool for not seeing her earlier. I’m a fool for letting her go. I’m a fool if I don’t hold on to her now and make her mine forever.

Her walk is sultry and slow as she comes toward me through the crowded room, and my chest thuds with the strength it takes to stand and wait. It’s not a hardship to watch her, though. She’s the most beautiful, interesting woman I’ve ever known in my entire life. It just took Midnight messages and a fresh perspective to see it.

“Hi, Beau,” she says when she makes it to me, and my hands itch to reach out and touch her. I don’t because I want to get out what I have to say first, but it’s a full exercise in self-control.

“Hi, Juni.”

Her smile is soft and exploratory. Mine leaves no questions.

“You look so fucking beautiful, but that isn’t a surprise. You always look beautiful.”

“Beau.” She blushes and her eyes avert from mine.

“I don’t need a shoe to know, June,” I tell her, and she looks up at me again. “I don’t need to scour the village. I don’t need to scour anywhere. This connection is soul-deep, and I want to be better than Prince Charming.”

A gasp escapes her lips and she reaches up to cover her mouth, but I steal her hand, taking it in mine instead.

“June, you and I are forever. I know it. And I hope you know it too.”

She blinks a few times and shakes her head gently. “Just so you know, I can hardly believe the words you’re saying right now are real. I’ve dreamed of hearing you saying these things for so long, it’s pathetic.”

I squeeze her hand in mine “I swear you won’t have to dream anymore. I love you, and it’s not just some crush. This is the real thing, and when the time is right, I’m going to make you a real part of the Banks family. You’ve been a part of it for nearly as long as I can remember, but I want you to be my part.”

“My Prince?” she asks, and I nod.

“My Mystery Woman.”

She shakes her head again, and I pull her in to push my mouth to hers.

“You’re my forever, Juniper June,” I whisper against her lips.

The countdown to midnight starts all around us, a growing chant of the numbers from the DJ echoing from his microphone.

“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!”

“Midnight,” she whispers, her gorgeous blue eyes staring up into mine.

“Forever,” I reply and kiss the hell out of my June.