A year had passed since the heartbreaks with Jeremy and Louis. In that time, I'd done my best to rebuild myself. I blocked Louis' calls, avoided him at all costs, and focused on moving forward—just me. Slowly, I began getting to know Logon better, and I couldn't ignore the signs that he liked me. We hung out more and more, and with each passing day, his presence became a source of comfort.
Life had settled into a smooth rhythm. Mom and Dad were getting older—Mom thirty-eight, Dad forty-nine—but they were still full of life. My brothers were thriving in school: Joe finishing his final year in the 12th grade, and Justin enjoying his 8th-grade year at London International High School. And yet, despite all this, a small part of me still missed Jeremy. I couldn't deny the hole he had left behind.
The year ended quietly, with the warm familiarity of home and family. Christmas had been a joyous occasion spent together with Logon, who had joined our celebrations. His parents were out of town in Italy, so it was just the two of us.
Christmas faded into New Year's Eve, and Logon and I spent the day shopping at the mall. By the time we returned home, my parents were out, though Mom had left a note on the door:
"There is some food in the fridge. Warm it and enjoy. Happy New Year! Call me when you arrive home."
I immediately called her.
"Hello…Laranie," Mom answered warmly.
"Hi, Mom. How are you doing?"
"Fine, and you?"
"Good. So, you're at the spa with Dad?"
"Yes."
"So, any plans later?" I asked.
Mom chuckled. "Shh…he doesn't know that I know. He has a surprise dinner planned for me at Luka's Great Pizza."
I laughed softly. "Okay…keep it a secret."
After finishing our call, Logon and I headed to the fridge. Mom had left boiled rice with fried chicken, meat soup, and greens. We warmed it, served it, and ate together quietly, savoring the simple comfort of the meal.
After lunch, we moved to the sitting room to watch a movie, One Christmas, letting the afternoon drift peacefully. As the clock struck 10:00 p.m., it was time to prepare for our New Year's Eve outing.
I stepped into the bathroom to freshen up, choosing a pair of red jeans, a white shirt, and an oversized, admittedly ugly Christmas sweater. My black knee-high boots completed the look. When I emerged, Logon was already waiting on the sofa, a small, expectant smile on his face.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yeah," I replied.
"So… I'm driving tonight," he said casually.
"Why?"
"Because I know where we're going."
"You're keeping it a surprise?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.
"You'll see," he said with a grin.
We left the house and drove for nearly an hour, our conversation flowing effortlessly, punctuated by laughter and music. Finally, we arrived at a small, cozy restaurant and bar on the edge of town—Lover's Bar. At first, I was skeptical about the name, but the charm of the place quickly put me at ease.
The bar was half-empty, just a handful of couples scattered across the room. Logon led me to a heart-shaped table, and moments later, a waiter approached.
"I'm Joel, and I'll be serving you tonight," he said politely, a small smile on his face.
"Hello," Logon greeted.
"And for you, madam?" Joel asked.
"I'll have a red secret wine, please," I said.
"And you?" Joel asked Logon.
"A beer, thanks."
"Perfect. I'll bring your drinks in under five minutes," he said before moving away.
Logon leaned back in his chair, studying me. "So… how are you feeling tonight?"
"I'm excited," I admitted. "It's a new year, a new start. A chance for a new life."
"I get that," he said. "But I'm also happy you let me be a part of it. You've really become like family to me."
"You're welcome," I said softly, smiling at him.
A few moments later, Joel returned with a tray, carrying our drinks. He poured them carefully, placing a glass of wine in front of me and a beer in front of Logon before retreating.
I picked up my glass, the crimson wine catching the dim light of the bar. The warmth of the evening settled around me as I met Logon's eyes. For the first time in a long time, I felt safe, happy, and ready to embrace what the new year might bring.