The door is already swinging open before you can decide that running back down the hallway, back to your silent apartment, is a better idea than being here.
10
His eyebrows shoot up towards the sparkly hat perched on his head. He utters your name - half surprised, half questioning - and a grin graces his lips that perfectly echoes his brother's smile.
9
Without another word, he waves you into his home. You had half expected him to slam the door in your face and you wonder is his gesture is due to the fact that he secretly he knows why you are here or because of the beer in his hand.
8
The beats from the stereo make your ears throb and the simmer of sequin dresses and silver cufflinks make your eyes water. This is not the setting you really want - somewhere quiet and secluded would have been better - but it is all you have and it will have to do, as this cannot wait any longer.
7
You can feel the heat radiating from every single body in the room. It makes you sweat. Over the past week you have been all alone, either walking the windy streets or hiding in your apartment. But now you want the cold that has settled inside you to be melted. And you know who can melt you with a single look.
6
But what if he's mad? What if he hates you? What if just the idea of being near you makes him want to run? What if he doesn't want to hear what you have to say? The last 'what if' is the worst of all.
5
You wish happy people didn't surround you. Because you feel anything but happy. This suddenly seems like a huge mistake. The glass of champagne sitting in the table is calling out to you, whispering a promise that it can make your pain pass.
4
Alcohol is not a solution. You know that. You know that all to well. Besides, you resolved that this year your resolution was to be honest with yourself and others. And this is one resolution would you prefer not to break.
3
The noise in the room swells and so does your heart. Because you are suddenly face to face with him. You choke as emotion rises in your chest and trips up your throat. A whimper escapes your lips as you stare at his.
2
Shock spreads across his face, widening his eyes and slackening his lips. Swallowing hard you close the achingly small gap between you, quickly memorising the glimmer of lights and confusion in his eyes before you close your own.
1
You press your mouth against his in a brief but simmering kiss. Softly you brush your lips along his cheek and repeat the three words he said to you at Christmas. The three words you had feared to return.
The three words that declare your love.