Chapter 5 - Same Time Next New Year's

Our boss lets us out early for New Year’s Eve. I try to act as excited as everyone else, but this just means I’ll have more time sitting in an apartment by myself.

In further proof that I must be losing my mind, while I was between clients I actually looked up trains into New York City. But even if I would actually entertain that idea, it would take too long to get there—especially on a holiday—and I’m not riding a train into a city I’ve never been to before to meet a man I’ve never met.

“Happy New Year’s, Jo,” Carly, one of my coworkers says as she zips her coat up and walks outside.

“You too.” I smile at her before she leaves. I help our boss lock up, just delaying the inevitable loneliness that’s waiting for me. When I make it to my car, I go into auto-pilot as I make the short drive back to my apartment.

I unlock my door and quickly lock it back up behind me. I never lived on my own before. I left my parents house for college at eighteen and moved in with Greg after we graduated. If my landlord had allowed it, I would buy a dog for companionship and protection. But my building has a strict no animal policy.

Thankfully, I had a good amount in savings from my old job, and I was able to get a place in a good part of the city even though it was more expensive than many other places. But my mom reminded me that if I felt safer spending more money, that was more important than saving on any costs.

She was right. But I still get nervous sometimes when it gets late and dark.

When my phone buzzes, I jump and look down expectantly. I see Liz’s name and I push aside my disappointment. “What?”

“You’re so rude,” she tells me. Wherever she is, it sounds loud and crowded. “Please come out tonight!”

“No thanks, Liz.” I tell her for what has to be the hundredth time. “I’m staying in. I’m going to have a glass of wine, get nice and sleepy, and probably put on a movie that will make me cry.”

“You’re doing nothing to help yourself, you know that, right?” she says in a deadpan voice that makes me smile.

“This is what helping myself looks like right now, okay?” I answer.

There’s a pause before she says, “Do you want me to come over?”

My heart warms. Even though she absolutely drives me crazy, and we could not be more different, she is always ready to put aside everything she has going on for me. She’s also someone that loves being around other people and has spent weeks looking forward to celebrating the New Year with some of our friends. She’s the extrovert to my introvert. Her even offering to come and spend the night with me is huge. Very selfless. “I’m okay, Liz. Thank you.”

“Are you sure?” she urges. “I can be there in like twenty minutes.”

My face softens. “I’m sure. Thank you. I love you.”

She sighs. “I love you, too, Jojo.”

I groan. “Don’t call me that.” She chuckles before we say goodbye and hang up.

I turn my oven on, preparing the frozen pizza I’m going to feast on all by myself. While it’s heating up, I change into pajamas and pour myself that glass of wine. When the beep sounds to tell me it reached the required temperature, I stick the pizza in and go sit on my couch while I wait.

I scroll through dozens of shows and movies before I finally decide on watching Bridgerton from the beginning for probably the sixth time.

I’m more than half-way through my glass of wine when my phone lights up beside me. When I see his name, I move so fast to grab my phone that I almost spill my wine.

Leo: Is it crazy that part of me keeps hoping you’re on your way to meet me?

I suck in a deep breath and let it out, suddenly warm all over.

Joanna: Is it crazy that I actually looked up trains into NYC while I was working today?

Leo: !!!!

Joanna: LOL

Leo: Do you happen to be on one of those trains?

Joanna: I wish. I’m too far away.

Joanna: If only you accidentally texted me yesterday.

Leo: That’s what I get for being a last minute guy.

Leo: Was that really just this morning? Feels like it was much longer than that.

Joanna: Yeah, it’s wild. It does feel like it’s been longer.

I bite on my thumbnail, heart racing as I think of what to say. But he texts again before I can respond.

Leo: So what are your exciting plans for tonight?

Fueled by wine and the determination to not let myself overthink it, I take a picture of my wine glass in my hand in front of me, and my legs stretched out on the couch with my fuzzy sock covered feet. I send the photo.

Joanna: I’m a bit of a party animal.

Leo: I can see that.

Leo: You’re out of control.

Joanna: Cops will probably be called any minute.

Leo: LOL

Knowing I made him laugh gives me a rush of satisfaction.

Leo: Can I call you?