Mia nervously smoothed her sparkly black dress as she stepped out of the Uber in front of the swanky downtown nightclub. The bass thumped from inside as partygoers lined up to ring in the New Year.

She took a deep breath, steeling herself. Tonight was the night she would finally confess her feelings to Liam, her coworker and long-time crush. They had started at the marketing agency around the same time two years ago and became fast friends. But over time, Mia’s feelings had blossomed into a consuming passion. She daydreamed about Liam constantly, fantasized about their life together, ached to be near him. It was exhilarating but also agonizing, not knowing if he felt the same way.

Well, tonight she would find out once and for all. No more pining from afar. She had dolled herself up, pre-gamed with a couple shots of vodka for courage, and was ready to march in there and profess her love.

Inside the club, laser lights pulsed in time with the electronic dance beats as sweaty bodies gyrated on the dance floor. Mia scanned the crowd and felt her heart leap into her throat when she spotted Liam off to the side, looking dashing in a sport coat and slacks. He waved when he saw her and walked over, flashing his adorable dimpled grin.

“Mia! Happy New Year! Wow, you look… amazing,” he shouted over the din as he air-kissed her cheek.

Mia willed herself not to swoon. “Thanks! Happy New Year to you too! Some party, huh?” She gestured around at the revelry.

“Yeah, off the hook! Hey, come meet my date!” Liam took her hand and led her over to where a stunning blonde in a slinky red dress stood sipping champagne.

Mia almost tripped over her heels. Date? What date? Since when did Liam start seeing someone?

“Mia, this is Chloe. Chloe, Mia,” Liam introduced them. Chloe smiled and air-kissed Mia as well.

“So nice to meet you!” Chloe gushed. “Liam has told me so much about you. Says you’re like his work wife!”

Mia felt the vodka shots threatening to come back up. Work wife? Was that really all Liam thought of her? Had she completely misread the signals all this time?

She managed a weak smile. “Oh, ha, right, I guess we are pretty close. So, um, how did you two meet?”

As Liam launched into the story of meeting Chloe at a coffee shop or whatever, Mia barely listened, her mind reeling. She had been so sure Liam was into her too. The way he always sought her out to chat at work, how he laughed extra hard at her jokes, all the flirty banter. Was it really all in her head? Just a fantasy born of a wild imagination?

Suddenly she couldn’t stand to be there a moment longer. She mumbled something about needing to use the restroom and bolted, leaving a confused Liam in her wake. She burst into a stall and promptly burst into tears, not caring about her carefully applied mascara.

God, she was so stupid. Of course a great guy like Liam would have other prospects. She was just the pathetic work friend hopelessly in love with him. How could she ever face him again after tonight? She’d have to quit her job and move cities. No, maybe she’d flee the country, start a new life in Bali or something…

A gentle knock on the stall door startled her spiral. “Mia? Are you okay in there?” It was Liam. He must have followed her to the bathroom.

Mia hastily dabbed at her face with toilet paper. “Um, yeah, I’m fine!” she called with a sniffly voice that very much implied the opposite.

A pause. Then, softly, “Can you please come out so we can talk? There’s something I need to tell you.”

Heart pounding, Mia slowly unlatched the stall door and sheepishly peeked out at Liam. He looked at her with such gentle concern, seeing right through her.

He took a step closer. “Mia… the truth is, Chloe isn’t really my date. She’s my cousin who’s in town visiting. I only brought her tonight because… because I was too chicken to ask who I really wanted to be my date. You.”

Mia stared at him, scarcely believing her ears. “M-me?”

Liam nodded, looking bashful. “I’ve had feelings for you for so long, Mia. I just didn’t know if you felt the same way. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship if you didn’t. But seeing your reaction just now… please tell me I’m not crazy. Tell me this is real.”

Tears streamed down Mia’s face, but this time they were happy tears. She stepped forward and threw her arms around Liam’s neck. “It’s real,” she whispered. “I’m so in love with you, Liam. I think I have been since the moment we met.”

His answering grin was brighter than the Times Square ball. He leaned in and captured her lips in a passionate kiss that was somehow both sweet and hungry.

They were interrupted by the countdown chant from the crowd outside: “Ten! Nine! Eight!…”

Liam pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. “Now that’s what I call starting the New Year off with a bang,” he murmured with a wink.

Mia giggled and swatted his chest. “You did not just say that.”

“Oh yes I did. And you love me for it.”

“Heaven help me, I really do.”

They kissed again as the crowd roared, “Happy New Year!”

And a very happy new year it would be indeed.

Feature Photo by Anna-Louise