I kept them safe as we headed back out for our final hour. We’d decided to not use a map, but my feet somehow found the huge Brooklyn Bridge, and we walked along the river. I felt like I was walking through my dream New York scene, and it made me sort of teary. Again. Luckily it was so cold, I was kind of eye-leaking anyway, so Nick didn’t realize I was having another solo deep and meaningful moment.

We walked in happy silence, both of us staring over the water, the lights glistening away. To think that none of this had been on my list! Was I sort of glad I’d lost it? As we turned off to catch the subway back, Nick spotted a hotel he recognized and asked if I’d follow him into the coffee bit.

But when we got to the lift—elevator!—Nick didn’t press the button for the café—he pressed the one for the top floor.

“This is great in the summer,” he said as we went up. “But in the winter…”

With a ping, the doors opened. Nick put his finger on his lips, and I snuck out after him. He walked past the “No Entry” sign and pushed open a huge glass door that led out onto a massive roof terrace full of piled-up chairs and tables. Putting his hand out for mine, he led the way, and we weaved through them, around the corner, him helping steady me so I didn’t slip on the fresh snow.

And when I looked up, there it was.

We were right above the edge of the river, Manhattan twinkling away in front of us. The two of us in our own secret spot as the snow fell.

I’d spent ages planning the perfect Christmas day in New York.

But doing it Nick’s way had made it even better.

Chapter Eighteen

Elle

I should be looking around the amazing hotel room I’d been #gifted, or more importantly, taking photos while it still looked perfect, but I couldn’t be bothered to even pick up my phone. I felt awful about leaving Fred—he’d been so sweet about it too, which made it even worse. Damn him and his all-around awesomeness.

After standing in line for an hour, I’d gotten the photo at Platform 9¾ but ended up running in time to miss the last train, just as Fred messaged to say he wasn’t alone on the way back home—he’d run into his ex, Eve.

Great. Job. Me.

Oh well, if they got back together, at least he’d remember me for helping out.