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When Rhea first heard the thud thud thud thud, she thought the New Year's fireworks were starting early. She had checked her watch before ducking out of the yacht's ballroom and she thought she had plenty of time to get some air before the countdown to midnight began.
Then she heard something that couldn't be mistaken for fireworks at all. "Rhea! What are you doing out here all alone?" Liv's voice seemed to catch the waves lapping at the yacht.
There wasn't much light out there—all the better to see the stars and the fireworks, Rhea guessed—but she still tried not to roll her eyes just in case Liv was able to see. Why do you think someone might duck out of a party? she thought as Liv approached. "Just getting some air," Rhea answered. There was no point in mentioning she had wanted to be alone. Liv was the life of the party, but she was also the girl who went around and checked on everyone. "Too many of the bosses bathed in cologne this afternoon, I think."
Liv made a face. "Ugh! Tell me about it." She leaned against the railing and gazed out at the water. Even with her massive platform heels, she barely matched Rhea's height. "Not that some of the women are much better," she added, "but there aren't as many of them in suits." Then she laughed. "You and I are two of the only ones who didn't really dress up."
Rhea glanced down at herself and shrugged. It was technically dressy, she would argue. It was a dress, after all, and there weren't any studs, spikes, or chains on it. It just happened to be black, so she didn't really appear to be dressed much differently than normal. "It's not a contract year," she replied with a shrug. "I'm not trying to impress anyone."
"As if you need to," Liv scoffed. "Everyone loves you. Hunter's going to be throwing millions of dollars at you before you even enter your last year." Then Liv stood straighter and smiled. "Which they should, because you're fucking amazing."
"Thanks." Rhea felt herself blushing a bit, to her surprise. The women's locker room wasn't as catty as it had once been, but it was still a struggle to get equal time for everyone and Rhea knew she got more time and attention than most. No one complained to her face, but she knew there were some sore feelings brewing in the back. Getting a compliment rather than a subtle eyeroll or stifled sigh was like a little treat. "I'm just glad they're letting me be me, you know?"
"Same." Liv gestured at her dress and did a twirl. It was shorter than Rhea's and somehow managed to make street style look sophisticated. "The crazy-girl type doesn't always fare well," she added with a grimace, "but so far Creative's had some really neat things for m—oh shit." She turned towards the front of the yacht. "Is it almost midnight already?"
Rhea glanced down at her watch. It didn't really go with her outfit, but she didn't care. "Shit. Yeah, it is. You better head back."
Liv tilted her head in confusion. "Why?"
"You know. The countdown," Rhea replied. Wasn't that the whole point of New Year's Eve parties? "Midnight. Everyone toasting and cheering and kissing and that."
"Ew, no." Liv's nose scrunched up. "I don't want to kiss any of the guys in there. Besides, it's New Year's Eve, not New Year's Steve."
The noise coming from the ballroom was growing steadily louder, so Rhea wasn't sure she had heard Liv correctly at first. "What do you mean?"
Liv grinned as she hopped closer, the stomp almost in time with a premature firework let loose back on shore. "I mean I'd rather kiss you, silly." Even with her boots, she still had to go on tiptoe.
Rhea expected her lips to taste like bubble-gum lip balm, but all she could taste was a hint of chocolate. When Liv teetered a bit, Rhea caught her easily, pulling her closer when the fireworks started to burst and bloom in earnest. Even with her eyes shut, she could see ribbons of light snaking through the darkness, but it was nothing compared to the buzz building in her chest.
The noise and the lights faded away before the two women stopped to take a breath. Liv was beaming and Rhea was sure she was too, and she ducked them both into a doorway when she heard drunken voices trying to sing 'Auld Lang Syne', except it sounded more like 'Old Lane Signs'. "Happy New Year to you too," she murmured, lips still tingling.
Liv pressed close, resting her head on Rhea's shoulder and wiping her thumb across Rhea's chin. "Happy New Year." She lifted Rhea's hand so she could see her watch. "Just about an hour until there's fireworks somewhere else," she said with a grin, bringing Rhea's hand to the low neckline of her dress and leaving it there. "I wonder what we could do for an hour."
Rhea used her free hand to reach for her purse. Calling it a purse was probably being generous, since it barely held her lipstick, but she knew it could hold something far more important at the moment: her room key. She unzipped it so quickly she nearly cut herself and tapped her nails against the key for confirmation. Her other hand tugged at Liv's neckline. "I have a few ideas...."