Page 251 of Rush

But the door cracks open anyway.

“Too bad diva,” Riley says, poking her head in, cheeks flushed, curls bouncing as she shoves it open wider. “We brought champagne.”

“We?” I spin around.

And there they are.

Broderick. Philippa. Andrew. Luca. Ava, already holding up her phone like she’s filming a documentary.

Even my father, in a navy wool coat and scarf, standing just behind Carole, who already looks way too emotional.

“You came,” I say, stunned.

Carole smiles. “We wouldn’t miss it.”

I look at my dad—who gives me the smallest nod. Not performative. Not rehearsed. Just him.

I swallow.

“Okay,” I whisper.

Philippa claps her hands excitedly. “You ready?”

“I think so,” I say, even though I’m not sure.

“Go be a star, babe,” Riley says, squeezing my hand. “We’ll be front row.”

After some pre-show drinks, I’m ushered by the crew to the stage. I hear the countdown in my ear as the first chords of my song plays. The lights hit and I take in the crowd stretched before me in all directions.

New York, breathing under my feet, buzzing through the soles of my boots.

I hold the mic steady, heartbeat crashing in my ears—then I sing.

As I finish the first song, fireworks shoot up behind me. I laugh into the mic, breath fogging in the air, chest heaving.

“New York…” I say, voice shaky but loud, “you’ve made this the best night of my life.”

The crowd roars.

“I’ve got one more surprise for you. My debut single—Touch—drops at midnight tonight. This one’s for the fans. For sticking with me. For seeing me.”

The backup dancers pour out behind me. The beat drops. Lights flare.

And I lose myself in it—singing, dancing, adrenaline flooding every cell.

Louder than the fireworks. Stronger than the cold.

When I hit the final note, the crowd screams. Fireworks burst behind the skyline. Confetti rains like snow. The other artists join me on stage, arms thrown around each other as we count down the final seconds of the year.

Ava pulls me into a hug. I cling to her.

And then?—

The clock strikes midnight.

“Happy New Year!”

The opening notes of “Auld Lang Syne”echo across the square.