We pushed open the balcony doors and stepped back into the living room. The party had shifted into a different gear while we were gone.
The lights were dimmed even lower, the music slowed to something smooth and romantic, and the crowd had clustered toward the center of the room. Everyone was gathered around the couch facing the TV, where a bright countdown timer filled the screen in glowing red numbers.
I blinked, realizing how much time had slipped away out there under the stars. We'd been talking for what felt like minutes, but it must have been close to an hour. The timer showed just under two minutes left until midnight.
Chloe's hand brushed mine as we walked down the last few steps. The necklace pendant rested against her collarbone, catching little flashes of light every time she moved, the tiny heart sitting perfectly above the soft swell of her breasts.
Mom appeared from the side of the crowd, weaving through a few guests with a fresh tray of cups in her hands. Her red qipao shifted as she moved, the high slits parting to reveal long stretches of milky thigh, the crisscross strings pulling tight against her skin. Her tits strained against the silk with every step, the diamond cutout at her chest showing the pale valley between them, deep and inviting. She spotted us and raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow, that suspicious-mom look she sometimes gave when she knew something was up.
"Where were you two?" she asked, setting the tray on a nearby table. Her voice was light, but her eyes flicked between me and Chloe like she was piecing something together.
I opened my mouth, scrambling. "Mom? We… were just—"
"Mrs. Elena, I wasn't feeling well. The crowd and the noise got a little overwhelming, so Robbie took me out to the balcony for some air." Chloe cut in smoothly before I could stumble further.
She said it so naturally, with just the right touch of apology in her voice. I stared at her for a second, surprised. I hadn't expected her to cover for us like that—to lie so easily and convincingly.
Mom's expression softened instantly, worry replacing the suspicion. She stepped forward and placed the back of her palm against Chloe's forehead, checking for fever the way she used to do when I was little. "Oh, honey, are you sure you're alright? You do feel a little warm. Do you need water? Or to sit down somewhere quiet?"
Chloe smiled, gentle and reassuring. "I'm fine, really. The fresh air helped. Thank you for worrying, though."
Mom studied her for another second, then nodded slowly. "Okay, but you tell me if it comes back, alright? No pushing yourself tonight. And Robbie..." she turned to me, eyes narrowing just a fraction " ...you should have told someone. I would've come to check on her."
"I know." I said quickly. "Sorry. It just… happened fast."
Mom sighed, but the worry faded into a small smile. "Well, you're both back now, and just in time. Come on, everyone's gathering for the countdown."
She took Chloe's free hand gently and led us toward the crowd around the couch. I followed close behind. The timer on the TV now showed one minute left. People were shifting closer, some couples holding hands, others raising their glasses, the room buzzing with that electric feeling right before midnight.
As we joined the group, my eyes scanned the faces and landed on Max and Ethan.
They must have arrived while we were on the balcony. Max was lounging on the couch like he owned it, legs crossed, a glass of something dark in his hand. He was talking to a couple of Mom's friends, that easy, rich-kid grin on his face.
Ethan, though… Ethan was standing at the far corner near the wall, and Sofia was right there with him.
She was leaning back against the wall, phone in one hand, scrolling absently while she listened to whatever he was saying. Ethan had one hand braced high on the wall above her shoulder, his body angled in close, too close. His other hand pointed at her screen like he was showing her something, and they both leaned toward the phone, heads almost touching.
Sofia laughed at whatever it was, soft and genuine, her golden dress shifting as she tilted her head, the deep plunge neckline giving a generous view of her cleavage. Ethan's eyes dipped for a second, obvious, shameless before flicking back up to her face with that cocky smile he always wore.
It hit me like a punch. Sofia barely knew them. Max and Ethan were my friends not part of the family circle. She'd met them maybe once or twice before, if that. Yet here they were, laughing like old friends, bodies angled together in a way that looked way too intimate for casual conversation.
Ethan was a total playboy—I knew exactly what he was like. He'd bragged about it a hundred times. The girls he hooked up with, the way he could talk anyone into anything. Seeing him leaning over my sister like that, her laughing at his phone, made something twist hard in my gut. A sting I didn't expect. Protective, jealous, angry. I didn't like it. Not one bit.
Chloe's hand suddenly slipped into mine, fingers interlocking with a gentle squeeze. I snapped back to the moment, looking down at her.
She smiled up at me, eyes bright in the dim light. "Rob, it's time."
She pointed toward the TV. The timer showed ten seconds left. The crowd started counting down in unison, voices rising together.
"Ten… nine… eight…"
I looked back at Sofia and Ethan one last time. They were still close, still laughing, but Sofia glanced up at the screen too, her free hand resting lightly on Ethan's arm for a second as she turned.
"Seven… six… five…"
Chloe squeezed my hand again, pulling my attention back to her. Her face was glowing, excited, the necklace heart pendant glinting against her skin right above the swell of her breasts.
"Four… three… two… one…"
"Happy New Year!"
The room exploded—cheers, shouts, glasses clinking, people hugging and kissing. Fireworks boomed outside, bright flashes lighting up the windows in red, gold, and white. Someone cranked the music louder, a triumphant song kicking in, and the whole house seemed to vibrate with energy.
Chloe turned to me, eyes shining, and before I could think, she rose on her toes and pressed a quick, soft kiss to my cheek. "Happy New Year, Robbie."
My face burned, heart slamming. "Happy New Year, Chloe."
To be continued…
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