There were seven houses total, all occupied by friends Harley had made in the years before she’d met me. Every single one had pulled out all the stops for New Year’s Eve.
We had mini-quiches, bacon-wrapped shrimp, chorizo taquitos, and hot spinach salad at Justin and Frank’s. Then it was honey-ham wraps and spinach dip at Marabel and Alice’s.
And don’t forget the drinks. Appletinis, sparkling sangria, gin and tonic, and never-ending wine accompanied cheese trays, fruit platters, and dishes piled with finger foods. My favorite was the garlicky stuffed mushrooms Raj and Kadesh served with Burgundy Pinot Noir and sliced sourdough.
The evening ended with two different dessert houses. I thought Jules and Mick would take the best-sweets prize with their mini chocolate cheesecakes with raspberry glacé, but our other friends topped that.
When we got to Jeremy and Kamal’s, they had the VR up and running so everyone could take a break from the ulcer-inducing overeating. I got lost for a while in Chandra Lives, a fantasy game with a story to it about a moon goddess who is terribly wounded, throwing the tides into chaos until someone amazing like me comes along to set things right.
Absorbed in the game, I felt a hand on my shoulder and smelled coffee as lips planted a kiss on my cheek. Slipping off the VR visor, I took the proffered coffee, and my eyes widened at the gorgeous plate my wife slid towards me. On it was a small square of slender cake layered with creamy filling and dusted with cocoa powder.
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“Tiramisu!” I squealed, thrilled. It was my favorite, and I couldn’t believe I was going to get a homemade version. Harley held a fork out, and I wrapped my lips around the delicacy, moaning in satisfaction.
The lady fingers melted in my mouth along with the slight bite of espresso, finished with sweet cream. It was heaven. I took a sip of coffee, savoring the moment and forgetting the game altogether. I smiled at Harley whose eyes crinkled atop pink cheeks, obviously flushed from laughter and wine.
“Having fun?” I asked.
“The funnest! Did you see Jeremy’s bike pics? They’re gonna go cruising once the weather warms up, all across Olympia. Can you imagine, Red?”
“Would you like to, Harley? Ride hover bikes all across the peninsula?” It didn’t really sound like much fun to me. Way too much fresh air for my taste, but if she was truly excited about it, maybe a day or two . . .
“Nah, Red. I think all that wind would get old. And who wants bugs in the face at 40 miles an hour? I think a hover train would be nice, and then maybe a tour group? Someday we should see everything that’s out there.”
I nodded, polishing off the tiramisu. “Then let’s plan it. Next anniversary. No reason not to, love.”
“You ready to head home? It’s already past midnight, or did you wanna keep playing Chandra Lives?”
“Oh! I missed the New Year countdown? I didn’t even get a kiss?” I whined.
“Hah! I snogged Kamal, who pretended to puke, then that started a whole thing of everyone kissing. Which devolved into an unspeakable dance party that you’re glad you missed. Grinding was involved.”
I couldn’t help the laugh that burst out of my chest, “Tell me there’s video.”
“About ten different variations. Come on, Red, let’s get going. I’m ready to get outta this dress and into pjs,” she said, looping her arm through mine. We wished everyone a Happy New Year and bid them goodbye, thankful for another year come and gone.
The walk home was only eight blocks, but the good food, laughs, and lovely friends did not prepare us for what came next.
