Another Day in Nashville

New Years Eve in Nashville was always a blast. There was so much going on downtown. Live music, fireworks...all of the bars were packed. I was getting ready to go out with the girls when my phone rang "Hello?"

"Hey." James replied

"Hey, James! What's up?"

"Not much, just called to see what you're doing tonight?"

"Going out with some of the girls. You?"

"Oh...I'm probably just staying in."

"Staying in?? Nonsense. It's New Years Eve in Nashville! Go out and have some fun."

"Eh. I prefer to stay in. I'll probably turn on a movie and have some popcorn or something..."

"I am not letting you do that. Go out! Call up Josi and Eks. See if they'll go out on the town with you!"

James laughed "You're really gunna push this, aren't you?"

"Yes." I laughed

"Alright alright. I'll go out. Maybe I'll see you?"

"Yeah maybe." I smiled "Bye, James."

"Bye, Emilee."

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"Emilee! We're so happy you could come out tonight." Joelle said

"Yeah! We miss you." Rachel said

"Oh I've just been busy." I replied

"Yeah. With James Neal. What's even going on with that?" Jo asked

"We're friends..."

"How can you be just friends with him?"

"I don't know, Rachel...we're working on things."

"If I was you, I'd have that boy in my bedroom every day. He's hot." Miranda said

I glared at her. Miranda was new to the salon and ever since she got there, she always talked about James and the others like that "James and I are taking things slow."

"EMILEE!!!" a male voice called to me. The slight accent instantly recocnizable

"Roman!" I smiled as Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm and Calle Jarkrok walked up to me

"Hi guys!" I smiled giving each of them a hug

"Hey." James said walking up with Richie

"Hey." I laughed hugging each of them. The girls stood there staring at the group of hockey players that now surrounded us "Oh! Guys, these are the girls from the salon. This is Rachel, Jo, Brandi and Miranda."

"Hi." the guys said

"Well we're gunna hit up the bar." Mattias said

"Yeah. You should come." Roman added

I laughed "Sorry, guys."

"Aw. Alright. Let's go." Roman said as they headed off

"I'm gunna stay here." James said smiling over at me

I smiled back "Okay."

"Fine, Nealer." Richie said "Call if you two need a ride." he said following the Swedes.

"Are you having a good time?" I asked

James nodded, "Yeah. There's a lot going on."

"Yeah usually." I laughed. James reached down and grabbed my hand. I looked up and smiled at him

"Walk with me?" he asked

"Yeah. Girls. I'm gunna go with James." I said heading off with James. "Thanks for coming out."

"Thanks for convincing me." James smiled. His fingers were laced with mine. His hands were soft and warm. I couldn't help but to smile up at him. Those piercing blue eyes looking back at me behind his glasses, he half smiled back and squeezed my hand "Emilee..."

"Yeah, James?"

James cleared his throat turning me so I was facing him, "Well...I've been thinking about you a lot. I can't get you off my mind...and I know you feel the same way. I know I'm not perfect and that we have a long way to go, but...I guess what I'm trying to say is...will you be my girlfriend?"

"James." I smiled grabbing his hands in mine "Yes." I was so distracted by looking at James, I didn't notice the count down had begun and the crowd around us calling out the number.

"Ten...nine...eight...seven...six...five...four...three...two...one!!! Happy New Year!!!"

Without a word, James Neal pulled me close and gently pressed his lips to mine. I wrapped my arms around his waist, kissing him back. "Happy New Year." he said, his arms still wrapped around me

"Happy New Year." I said back kissing him again

Notes