Get those party hats and noisemakers ready because we’re poppin’ bottles—on Ana’s tab—at the Gansevoort rooftop park! Make resolutions! Break resolutions! Kiss your favorite coworker at midnight! Get ready to say goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020!

On a more serious note, please take advantage of the rideshare gift cards that were emailed to you this morning. We want you to get home safely.

Yours truly,

O. Langley

Social Media Specialist

WLS International

98 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

[email protected]

* * *

Asher

Alba from human resources has shown me every feature on her new fitness tracker. It’s all very thrilling. I might buy one myself. Hell, I might buy the whole company and give it to her. I’d do just about anything to get out of here.

I’m at the Gansevoort rooftop park and I’ve lost the feeling in my toes. New Year’s Eve is meant to be enjoyed inside where it’s warm and quiet and away from people. My apartment, for example, is a great place to ring in the new year.

And yet here I am.

On a roof.

In the cold.

And where is Olivia?

Not here.

“I swear to God,” I hiss into my phone when her voicemail picks up. “You better be getting murdered.”

I tuck my phone into the pocket of my jacket, and white-knuckle my glass of Stella. My girlfriend has a terrible sense of humor. When we go away next month, I hope she gets attacked by a shark.

“Asher!” Ana is glowing as she waddles over to me. “You made it! Where’s your better half?”

“I’ve been asking myself that question for the past hour.”

Ana laughs. “This isn’t the kind of event I’d imagine she would want to miss.”

“Considering she threatened my life if I didn’t come, I’m just as surprised as you are.”

“I’m sure she has a good reason for not being at a party she planned.”

“Oh, of course.”

She got distracted by a dog. Or she fell asleep. Or the government got a hold of her conspiracy theory blog and they’ve taken her to Area 51 where she belongs.

“We’ll have to make plans for dinner when I get back from Auckland,” Ana says. “I want to hear how your interviews go.”

“Definitely,” I tell her. “We’ll bring dessert.”

“I like the double chocolate cookies from Levain.”

“I know you do.”

Ana excuses herself to mingle. I’m finishing off my beer when my phone buzzes with a new message.

Olivia

Hello

Asher

Have you been abducted by aliens?

Olivia

Yes, they’ve taken me back to their planet. I’m their queen now.

Asher

Dreams really do come true.

On a more serious, less intergalactic note, where the hell are you?

Olivia

Your place

Asher

Why?

Olivia

Come here and find out

Asher

Can’t.

Sorry.