Page 52 of 300 New Year's Eves

Sergio gives a little twist, wincing at the stiffness. “It’s been better.”

“Sorry about that.”

“Think nothing of it,” he says with a light laugh that he feels in the bruised muscles of his back. He puts his arm around Jeremy’s shoulders. “It was absolutely Henry’s fault.”

“I’ll agree with that,” Jeremy says, leaning into his embrace while Holden starts the countdown from the stage with a “Ten!”

Jeremy brings his lips to Sergio’s ear. “And I’ll also say it was quite rude of him to interrupt that kiss.”

“Nine!”

“Is that so?” Sergio turns to face him, bringing their lips mere inches apart.

“Eight!”

“Definitely.”

“Seven!”

“Can I interest you in another one?”

“Six!”

“I think I can be persuaded.”

“Five!”

Sergio brings his hand to the nape of Jeremy’s neck, pulling him closer. “Promise you won’t forget about me tomorrow.”

“Four!”

“I couldn’t forget about you if I wanted to.”

Three!”

“Let’s hope that’s the case.”

“Two!”

“Now kiss me, damn it.”

“One! Happy …”

“Uncle Sergio! Wake up!”

“Oof … morning, buddy.”

“Hiss…”

“Dad said to come get you. Breakfast is almost ready.”

“Mmm … breakfast. Can’t wait,” Sergio says, even though what he really can’t wait for is seeing Jeremy Owens through the trees when he looks out his bedroom window towards the barn. He sits up and ruffles Henry’s hair. “Do you think you can ask your dad to fix me eggs Benedict?”

Henry looks at him with his head tilted to the side. His lips move as he silently tries the words eggs Benedict out in his mouth for the first time. He tips his head to his shoulder. “What’s eggs bend-a-dick?”

What you do to me every morning. “Never mind,” he says lightly. “How about you ask him to make me an omelet?”

Henry tilts his head back the other way. “What’s an omelet?”