New Year’s Steve

by Carter, M. E.

  The elevator dings once I’m all the way to the top — a place I’ve never been — and I admit to being surprised there were no lurches or lunges or groans on the way up.

  I bet Harry already got someone in here to fix it, I can’t help thinking. He’s just so damn efficient.

  And kind.

  And hot.

  And smells like man, and can do all the manly things, like fix stuff.

  Shit. Steve is fifty feet away from me and I’m daydreaming about someone else! No wonder I was in dating Droughtlandia for so long. I’m a fucking mess!

  The doors retract, revealing a brightly lit vestibule and an older man in uniform waiting to greet me. He’s tall but hunched over, wrinkled face weathered with age.

  I groan.

  If Meg was right and I have been catfished, I’m going to be sooo pissed.

  “Are you… Steve?” I question, trying to keep the venom out of my voice on the off chance I’m wrong.

  The old man smirks, no doubt enjoying my confusion and finding the whole thing hilarious. That’s a good sign, right?

  We can laugh about it when I turn tail and leave.

  “No ma’am. My name is Fritz, I work for your date. May I take your wrap and clutch for you?”

  This man works for Steve? Like, is he a butler?

  Wow. Steve pulled out all the stops if he’s trying to impress me by bringing his staff all the way up here on a holiday.

  “I think I might need it. It’s cold out tonight.” And the roof is going to be twenty times worse than it is on the ground thirty stories below.

  “Rest assured, ma’am, there are plenty of heaters on the deck. It’s nice and toasty out there if I do say so myself.” He stands taller with pride.

  “Oh.” I glance down and realize the dress really does look stellar without the wrap. Even if I have a need for it later, first impressions win over, and I hand the kind gentleman my things. “Well in that case, thank you.”

  “Are you ready?” Fritz asks, and am I mistaken or are his eyes twinkling?

  No. I’m not.

  “Yes, thank you. Lead the way.”

  Fritz gives me his arm to take and I loop my hand through as he pulls open the door, my breath hitching as I take in the beauty of the sight before me.

  Winter Camellias cover just about every square inch of the space, their fragrance stronger than I would have ever expected. The red, pink, and white flowers create a canopy from the outside world. Tiny white twinkly lights are weaved through the trellises, making everything seem to glow.

  Twinkle. Glow.

  A table for two sits in the middle of it all, boasting a gorgeous centerpiece with more of my favorite blooms floating amongst tea candles. The tablecloth is crisp and the place settings are sparkling.

  Candles, candles everywhere.

  Stunning.

  And Fritz was right; I don’t even see the heaters, probably hidden behind all the flowers, and while there’s a nip in the air, the temperature is pleasant.

  I won’t freeze.

  A bit begrudgingly, I have to admit — if this is the way Steve impresses a girl, I could have done worse. This set-up is impressive and amazing.

  In the corner, a man is stepping out from the shadows.

  A man I… recognize.

  A man I’ve been thinking and daydreaming about; a man I thought about while riding the elevator to this very roof.

  My eyes damn near bug out of my skull, lashes fluttering.

  “Harry?”

  My heart picks up speed as my brain runs through all the scenarios. Did he help set this up? Does he know Steve? Did my date hire him to serve dinner because Harry works in the building? Is Harry a catfish? Is Steve?

  This cannot be happening. Am I caught on the damn roof with a man I’m here to meet and the man I’ve been lusting after for the past several hours?

  Questions play on a loop in my mind, stomach in knots.

  I want to barf, but Fritz took my bag, and I refuse to ruin these shoes.

  “Hi Felicity.”

  The more I look at him, the more I realize he’s not dressed like part of the serving staff. In fact, he’s not dressed like a maintenance man at all.

  I take a few steps forward. “What are you doing here?”

  He smooths his hand down his tie and I swear he takes a long, steadying breath before saying, “We have a date.”

  My eyes look back and forth at his, trying to make heads or tails of the situation.

  “No. I have a date with Steve. You are not him.”

  He takes a step forward stopping right in front of me and a gust of wind blows; he smells so good. Better than he had earlier in the day, and even in my three-inch heels I have to look up at him.

  He is that tall and commanding.

  Swoon.

  “Felicity, I’m… Steve.”

  Naturally, my head gives a little shake. “No. You’re Harry.”

  “Right.”

  So is he agreeing with me, after he just told me his name is Steve?

  “So what, like you have two names?”

  “Yes. Like almost everyone. My full name is Harrison…”

  Harry…

  “Steven…”

  Steve…

  “McGinnis.”

  McGin…

  “Wait… WHAT??” I’m practically shouting now. “You’re…”

  My brain works overtime, connecting the dots: He was on my floor today because he was working. He had keys to all the offices and closets because it is his company. He set up our date on top of the building because HE OWNS IT.

  Pointing at him I accuse, “You’re Harrison McGinnis. Mr. McGinnis. My boss.”

  He bobbles his head from side to side. “Technically, Victoria is your boss. I’m just her boss.”

  Oh, he’s going to be cute about it now?

  “That is not helping.” I pace the small area, trying not to hyperventilate, all the excitement and anticipation I had, fizzling like the champagne in the glasses nearby. “You… you’re… Why did you tell me your name was Harry?”

  He shrugs like this is no big deal. Au contraire, Mister. This is a huge deal. “My name is Harry. Just… Harrison.”

  “But I had you fixing my light and my heater and… oh my god you fixed the tampon machine!”

  That’s it. I have to find another job. Forget seniority. Forget my extra comp day. I’m officially humiliated and need to pack my things and move across the country immediately.

  “I fixed the tampon machine because it needed to be fixed. And I… are you okay Felicity?”

  I’m fanning myself, breathing heavily. Why can’t I catch a breath?

  “Is it hot out here?”

  “No, it’s actually on the chilly side.” His eyes flash concern and he’s immediately at my side. “Come sit down.” Guiding me into the world’s most comfortable dining chair because of the extra fluffy cushion on the seat, he hands me a glass of water. “Drink this.”

  I do as he instructs, the cool liquid confirming how very hot the rest of me is as it slides down my throat. Closing my eyes, I take a few deep, calming breaths, concentrating on how good Harry smells. And oh man does he. I could eat him up. After I eat up this dinner of course because did I see empanadas?

  Finally feeling like I have myself under control again, I slowly open my eyes to see Harry staring at me, concern written all over his face.

  “Better?” he asks gently, taking the glass from my hand and placing it on the table.

  “Much, thank you.” I look around the rooftop again and notice all the little details that have gone into tonight — thousands of my favorite flowers, a carafe of chocolate milk on the table, a direct view to the brand new New Year’s Eve ball from my seat. Harry, Harrison… Mr. McGinnis, put in so much effort just for me. “I don’t understand what’s happening.”

  He nods once and stands, making his way to the opposite chair. “It’s kind of a long story. Shall we eat while I tell it?” He gestures to his sea
t and I nod my approval.

  As he tucks his legs under the table, a man I assume is a waiter comes out and begins pouring champagne into sparkling clear flutes. He then proceeds to fill our plates with a variety of appetizers and small finger foods — enough to give us a good taste of everything while filling me up in the process.

  Once we’re alone again, I pick up a mini quiche and blow on it before addressing Harry directly. “Who are you really?”

  He pops what I have since learned is a meat and cheese empanada in his mouth and chews, wiping his lips with a napkin before answering. “Like I said, I’m Harrison Steven McGinnis. Most people call me Harrison. You’ve already figured out I’m the guy in charge of this company, but like you found out today, I also like to get my hands dirty sometimes.”

  “Yeah, explain that. I don’t know many CEO’s who go around fixing squeaky drawers on the last day of the year. Come to think of it, your knowledge of acquisitions makes more sense now.”

  “And for the record, I’m impressed with your knowledge of them as well.” He chuckles deep in his chest and now that I know Harry is Steve and Steve is Harry, I have zero guilt about enjoying that sound. He takes a sip of his champagne and continues. “I like tinkering. If something’s broken, I usually know how to fix it. And with Skeeter on vacation. and me having some free time, it doesn’t hurt to pitch in.”

  “Skeeter is off. That makes so much more sense now.”

  “That nothing was getting done?” I nod. “You could have just had the office manager call him about it.”

  I narrow my eyes, getting real irritated by people trying to force that middle man on me.

  “Or not,” he tacks on with a playful smile.

  Trying and failing at attempting the dainty way of cutting meat off a chicken wing, I give up and rip it right off the bone with my fingers.

  “But when you figured out who I was, because it’s obvious you did,” I gesture at the milk in front of us as evidence, “why didn’t you tell me?”

  He runs his hand through his thick hair which I just realized has been cleaned up around his neckline. Wow. He really did pull out all the stops for me.

  “It threw me off guard at first. Here was this super cute employee spouting off directions on regular maintenance and demanding I not leave until it was done. It was funny.”

  I groan. “Now that I know who you are, that’s not funny. I could have been fired.”

  “Yeah, because it’s such a smart idea to fire the only person in accounting who bothers to come in on the last day of the year.”

  “Touché. And yet, you didn’t call me out.”

  He shakes his head and sips the champagne again. “Steve, that’s my online alter ego in case you haven’t figured that out yet…”

  “We’ll get to him later.”

  “Noted. Steve isn’t all that great at planning romantic dates. He had a few ideas and was close to nailing one down, but when he met you, he decided it was best to get some insider information about the lucky woman he got to go on a date with tonight.”

  I snort a laugh. “And let me guess, then Sheila showed up and helped you plan the perfect rooftop romance.”

  Harry, er… Harrison’s jaw drops open and he stares at me in shock. “How’d you know she helped?”

  “Pretty sure the waiter is her sister’s nephew Andrew. She hired him to carry hors d’oeuvres around at the Christmas party a couple weeks ago.”

  “Dammit Sheila. She swore she was going to be stealthy on her involvement.”

  “Have you met Sheila? She is absolutely going to take credit for helping with this. Oh and be warned, the second she figures out I’m the one you did all this for, she’s going to call you New Year’s Steve from now on.”

  “New Year’s… what?”

  “Inside joke. I’m letting you in on it so just roll with it.”

  “I will never understand that woman.”

  “Probably best that you don’t. What I don’t understand, though, is why Steve? Why all the secrecy and going by your middle name on LoveSwept?”

  “That’s the part I feel the worst about. I didn’t like hiding myself from you. Especially the more we got to know each other.”

  “So why did you?”

  He sucks in a breath and blows it out. “I’ve had some bad experiences with women.”

  “Describe bad experiences.”

  “They could have been much worse, I admit that. But it’s never fun when you realize a woman is dating you for your money. Or for your business. Or for the status your money and business will bring her. It’s not like the name Harrison McGinnis is all that common. One Google search and…”

  “… and the sharks circle in the underground parking lot.”

  “Exactly. I’m not about that. Yes, I have more money than most people in this town. Yes, as our agents sign more and more quality clientele, the company gets bigger. And yes, I’m the man in charge of all that. But at the end of the day, I’m also the guy who is going to grab the ten-foot ladder and change the lightbulbs in his ceiling and is going to do a DIY if he feels like it and hates scary movies because his nightmares are vivid.”

  “That was oddly specific.”

  “If you’re going to see the real me, I might as well tell you the truth and that is, I am a wienie. I also jog in case I need the endurance someday during the zombie apocalypse because I don’t have to be the fastest runner. I just have to be faster than the last person. If that’s you, I’ve enjoyed our time together.”

  He says it so nonchalantly I can’t help but laugh, especially when the shit eating grin crosses his face.

  “You’re a hot mess, you know that?”

  “I do. And that’s the guy you’ve been getting to know. Harry, or Steve, who just slaps on deodorant to pop in the office after a run. Not Harrison McGinnis, the CEO and majority shareholder of the McGinnis Agency.”

  “Is that why you looked like you work in maintenance today? You didn’t shower before coming in?” I’m not sure why that thought makes me happy, but it does. Maybe because it reiterates how down to earth he really is.

  “I hope I didn’t smell too bad.”

  There is pleading in his piercing blue eyes. A longing for me to accept him for who he is, not what he comes with. I have to admit, his insecurity in this moment is hella sexy.

  I shake my head and bat my eyelashes just a bit. “Not too bad at all. In fact, I may have gotten a whiff or two that made me want to jump you.”

  He belts out a belly laugh and my heart skips a beat. All day I’ve been thinking about Harry and feeling guilt about Steve when they’ve been the same person all along. And I get why he did it. He wants someone who is genuinely interested in him. Considering I was ready to jingle his balls when he was an hourly worker, I think I’m a safe bet.

  He rests his forearms on the table and leans in. “Am I forgiven for the lies by omission?”

  “There’s nothing to forgive. I understand completely. And I’m glad you made sure this was a real connection before throwing your money around. If there weren’t extenuating circumstances, all this,” I wave my hand at the extravagant set up, “could be kind of intimidating.”

  “But not to you, right?”

  “Knowing Sheila is involved, I’d say this is actually pretty toned down.”

  The noise on the street below increases in volume and I can only imagine it’s almost that time.

  Harrison stands and holds out his hand to me. “Come on. Let’s get ready to ring in the New Year.”

  I take his hand and thread my fingers through his, following where he leads me. Closer to the ledge and away from the heaters, I begin to shiver. Harrison immediately moves behind me and wraps arms around my shoulders, enveloping me in his warmth. His body feels just like I knew it would — hard in all the right places with a softness to his touch.

  “Is this okay?” he whispers in my ear and I shiver again, although this time it’s not from the cold. Oh no. This one is all lady bits.
>
  “It’s perfect.”

  We watch as the giant ball several blocks away illuminates, the lights below it dancing as if they’re getting ready for the countdown with us. In a matter of seconds, it begins to lower, changing colors every second as we count down.

  Ten… nine… eight…

  I turn my head and look up at Harrison who isn’t paying any attention to the scene in front of us, instead staring down at me with a lust-filled gaze.

  Seven… six… five…

  When he realizes I’m looking back at him, he turns me in his arms so we’re standing face to face.

  Four… three… two…

  As the clock counts down and the ball drops, Harrison takes my face in his hands and leans in, so close I can almost taste him.

  One…

  His lips drop to mine as the crowds in the street erupt into cheers and well-wishes. I hear none of it, so focused on this kiss. This kiss. A kiss full of promise and hope and a mutual future, with just enough passion to make it exciting and just enough reserve to have me wanting more. It’s the best kind of kiss to ring in the new year with my New Year’s Steve.

  Er… New Year’s Harrison.

  That has a nice ring to it, don’t ya think?

  Acknowledgments

  And now… our version of Auld Lang Syne…

  M.E. Carter: Should auuuuuuuld acquaintance beeeeeeee forgot… and neeeeeever brought to miiiiiiind?

  Sara Ney: Why are you singing? You always do this.

  M.E. Carter: I’m feeling nostalgic. Do you realize how long it’s been since we’ve written a book together? Since the last time — 2015 I think?? We’ve both moved and collectively dropped 400 pounds of man between our divorces…

  Sara: But two of our kids have both turned into pre-teens so really, who is the winner here?

  M.E.: Hmm. Good point.

  Sara: On the other hand, we’ve both been decorating for the holidays in like, October…

  M.E.: Speak for yourself, I put my Christmas tree up in late November.

  Sara: Covid made me do it early.

  M.E.: Do IT? We are still talking about Christmas trees, aren’t we?

  Sara: Unfortunately… yes.