3 YEARS LATER

New York -- New Year's Eve

Tyler's POV

I've never liked New Year's Eve parties---a bunch of loud drunk people aggressively imposing a forced celebratory mood on others, all the while pretending to be happy themselves when in reality they're severely depressed and miserable...or maybe it's just me.

The one I am invited to tonight seems like it will be especially painful. It's a black tie affair at the Ritz, where I am staying, which I don't particularly mind, but it also happens to be a masquerade. Grown ups playing dress up is more than a little farcical, but unfortunately I can't back out of this one. I was personally invited by a potential investor, and I'll have to play nice if I want them to back my venture.

Black suit, black shirt, black tie, and now I have to wear this fucking thing....I reach for the black satin mask, and put it on, tying it securely at the back.

Jesus. I look like a damn assassin.

The mask covers a good two thirds of my face, and I'm starting to like this whole incognito thing I got going. Socially, I've been under the radar for months. The last thing I want is to engage in mindless banter with people I don't care about. The feeling of being practically unrecognizable has got definite appeal. Maybe this won't be as bad as I expect it to be.

It's nearly eleven o'clock so, I grab my room key, and head to the club lounge.

When I arrive, I am immediately struck by how seriously some of these people have taken the masquerade theme. Women dressed in elaborate gowns, with feathers, and bejewelled masks; men's masks are less ornate, but nonetheless ridiculous, with some even wearing wigs. It feels more like a high fashion halloween party than a New Year's celebration.

I take a champagne flute from a passing waiter, and continue perusing the jubilant crowd.

"James, is that you?" I hear a purring feminine voice from behind, followed by a gentle tap on my shoulder.

When I turn around I see a busty blonde wearing a revealing, sparkling red dress. Her golden mask is decorated with rhinestones, and an ostrich feather sticking out of the side. It's a little much, but I am too distracted by her giant tits to care about anything else. She smiles widely at me, her unnaturally plump lips covered in vermillion lipstick.

"I am sorry to disappoint, but no," I correct her.

"Oh, I am not disappointed at all. Look at you! You're even better than James!" she squeals, smacking my chest, and nearly spilling the champagne out of her glass. "I hope you stick around for the ball drop, because I will need someone to kiss under the mistletoe at midnight...and you most certainly will do," she says, giving me a wink.

It's clear that this kooky broad is a couple of bottles deep already, and would likely be an easy enough conquest, but I am not in the mood to entertain a drunken mess, no matter how much my dick begs to differ.

"Caroline! There you are! Come on, James is looking for you," a woman in a peacock mask yells, as she grabs the blonde by the arm, and pulls her away.

"Look for me at midnight," she tells me, before being dragged away.

"I will," I lie to her, relieved to be rid of her company.

Finally I spot Joe, the guy who insisted I come to this joke of a party. He's wearing what looks like the phantom of the opera mask, covering half of his face.

We exchange 'hellos', and get down to business. Everything he's saying sounds promising. The only point of contention is that he'd like to be a silent partner in my newly opened Napa restaurant, Tryst.

"Any time I have a business lunch in New York, I book Loft, and any time I am in San Francisco, Slate is my go to meal. And that is exactly why I am willing to front my money for Tryst. Your restaurants are legendary, Tyler! I'd just like to be a small part of the legend. Come on, man, it wouldn't be so bad to have me for a business partner," Joe makes his case unconvincingly.

"I'm flattered that you're a fan, and I would like to forge a strong business alliance, but partnership is another thing entirely. I'm used to running my businesses solo. I'm sorry, Joe, but even your generous investment offer is not going to sway me on that point," I tell him.

He looks past me distractedly, and I am wondering if he's even listening. "Joe?"

"Sorry, Tyler, my attention was diverted elsewhere..." he confesses, craning his neck to look around me. "But would you just look at that? I mean...hot damn..."

I can't help but follow his peering gaze, turning around and immediately realizing who has stolen Joe's focus.

I do not blame him. This woman is stunning.

"Hot damn indeed..." I say under my breath.

Amongst the vibrantly colorful, gregarious crowd of overdressed females, this one, dressed in a simple long black gown, definitely stands out.

Her curvy figure is accentuated by the tight fit of her dress, but it's not provocative or bawdy, it's simple, understated, and demure. The only flesh exposed is in the back, from the nape of her pale neck to her soft shoulder blades. Even her arms are covered in black satin gloves that go up over her elbows.

Her mask is black and simple, similar to mine, obscuring most of her face, save for her lips, which look soft and beguiling. No trace of crimson lipstick or any other ostentatious color...just a natural pink hue... Her dark hair is up, with a few strands framing her face. I wonder how long her hair is when it's down, and what it would feel like between my fingers.

"Do you know her?" I ask, keeping my gaze fixed on her sublime figure.

"N-no... I wish," Joe stutters. "I can't even dream of approaching women like that," he says.

"Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained," I tell him, as I down the remainder of my champagne and start to walk in the direction of the tempting brunette.

Her back is turned toward me when I come close to her. My eyes hungrily take in her shape...the way her hips gently flare from her waist makes me want to reach out and touch her. I breathe in her warm scent, which suddenly seems absurdly familiar....

"Excuse me, I hope you don't think me too forward, but---" I begin, but then she turns around and I am rendered speechless when her hazel eyes meet mine.

It can't be...

"I...I...have we met before?" I know I sound like a stuttering fool, but I literally can't control myself.

"I don't think so," is her soft reply...followed by her signature impish smile.

I know who this is without a doubt in mind. It can only be her. The one who got away. The only one who's haunted me all these years.

Carrie.

I am lost. My heart is beating out of my chest, and I feel my jaw clench as I try to conceal the wave of emotions washing over me.

"Forgive me, I thought you were someone else..." I say averting my gaze, and force myself to walk away from her.

Every step I take puts more distance between us, but I feel the powerful pull to run back, and sweep her up into my arms. Tell her that I haven't moved on from her...even after all this time...she's still the one. I know it deep down...she will always be. Only her...and no one else.

I walk out of the lounge, needing time to collect myself, only there isn't any....it's nearly midnight. She's probably here with someone...her husband maybe? I cannot stomach the idea of anyone else claiming her lips tonight.

I tug impatiently at my tie, and discard it, unbuttoning the top two buttons on my shirt. I feel like I'm suffocating. This can't be the end. This is a sign. Why would fate bring us together like this again? I am not going to squander this moment. I don't care if she's married. Hell, I don't give a damn about anything other than the fact that she belongs with me.

The countdown has begun. I hear the drunken chorus of the crowd announce each number in unison.

This is it.

It's now or never.

Seven....six....

I walk back inside, pushing my way through the thick crowd.

Five....four....

I see her. Her back turned to me.

Three....two...

I reach for her, slinging my arm around her waist, and turn her around to face me, pulling her flush against my body.

One!...Happy New Year!

My heart is pounding, as I hold her surprised gaze for a moment, and I know that I may have a slap coming my way for what I'm about to do, but I don't hesitate....I crash my lips against hers.

She whimpers in my arms, her small hands placed on my chest....and I feel her kissing me back...and in this moment, it's everything to me.

I break the kiss, looking down at her. "Do you remember me now?" I ask her daringly.

She reaches her gloved hand up to my face....then I feel her trembling fingers slip to the back of my head....untying the ribbon holding the mask in place.

It falls away, and I see her hazel eyes are now filled brimful of tears.

"You came back..." she whispers.

"Of course I came back...because you were mistaken. You see, we have met before...and we kissed in the dark, and we fell in love, and we made a mess--"

She places her finger to my lips to silence me. "I knew it was you from the first word you spoke. Your voice...and your green eyes...I would never mistake you for anyone else, Tyler."

"Then why did you pretend not to know me?"

"Because I was so surprised to see you....it was so unexpected...I was not prepared....even now, speaking with you feels like a dream," she says, placing her hand on my chest as though to make certain this is all really happening. "So much time has gone by. Our past, is like you said...a mess."

"And what about now?" I ask. "What about the future?"

She gently touches my cheek, and gives me a hopeful smile.

"Take off your mask," I say, my need for her growing.

She unties her mask, and I am at last rewarded with seeing her face wholly. How I've missed every single feature....to be in her presence again feels surreal.

"Of all the New Year's Eve parties...of all the cities...we end up here together," she says. "Kiss me again, Tyler...kiss me like it's the first time."

I hold her face in my hands...feeling more happy than I've been in years. I bring my forehead down against hers, and look into her eyes. "I want to be the only man you kiss for the rest of your life."

She smiles up at me, biting her lip. "I that so?"

"Tell me there's nothing holding you back, and no one you're beholden to..." I ask, brining her knuckles up to my lips, and kissing her fingers.

"I am free to make any choice I want," she assures me.

"Then choose me, Carrie. Choose us," I tell her, holding her waist.

I feel her arms twine around my neck. "I choose us," she says, and kisses me.

People around us are still shouting their celebratory toasts, and there are fireworks going off outside, but all that noise fades into the background, and all I hear is "I choose us."

It really is going to be a happy new year.