New Year’s Kisses by Rhian Cahill Page A

her over to a floor cushion. Positioning himself with his legs apart, Wade pulled Emily down to sit in front of him, her back to his chest. From where they were, the view of the Harbour Bridge was uninterrupted and he could easily reach the bottle of champagne to refill their glasses.
    “Tell me about the tunnel vision. What’s had your undivided attention until now?” Wade asked.
    “Kiddies Inc.”
    “I can imagine how much time and energy the centre would take up. I doubt I’d survive working there longer than a week.”
    “The kids are definitely time and energy sucks, but I wouldn’t swap my job for anything in the world.”
    Wade could hear the smile in her voice. “I know you love it. What made you pick childcare?”
    “I haven’t a clue.” She shrugged. “For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to have my own centre.”
    “It suits you.”
    “What does?”
    “Being surrounded by children. You glow when you’re with them.” An image of Emily, cross-legged on the floor, book in hand, children around her leaning forward hanging on every word she spoke, flashed through his mind. She was a modern-day Pied Piper.
    Emily turned her head to look at him. “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
    “Stick around. I’m sure I can find nicer things to say.” Wade pressed his lips to her forehead. “So how long have you owned Kiddie’s Inc?”
    She faced forward again and sighed. “Only two years, but I worked there while I earned my degrees. When Meagan, the previous owner, wanted to sell, I took my savings and the largest business loan the bank would give me and bought her out.”
    “Big risk for someone so young.”
    “I’m thirty, hardly a spring chicken.” Emily laughed.
    “Thirty? I wouldn’t have pegged you for more than twenty-five.”
    Her laughter grew louder. “Is that one of those nicer things you mentioned?”
    “No.” Wade shook his head even though she wasn’t looking at him. “I honestly wouldn’t have said you were older than that. Remember I asked twice the day I quoted your job to speak to the boss. I couldn’t wrap my head around someone so young owning the place.”
    “Well, thank you.” She sipped her wine. “You know, I have no idea how old you are.”
    “Thirty-five next birthday.”
    “And when’s that?”
    “Would you believe in–” Wade raised his arm so they could both see his watch. “–twenty minutes.”
    She sat up and turned in his arms. “No way?”
    He laughed. “Yes way.”
    “Why didn’t you say something?”
    “Why should I have? That’s tomorrow and this is tonight.”
    “But you should be celebrating your birthday.”
    “I will.” Wade tapped the end of her nose with his finger. “Tomorrow. First we have to see in the New Year.”
    “You should do something special tomorrow.”
    “I am. We’re taking the boat out on the harbour and you’re supplying lunch.”
    “Sandwiches aren’t anything special.”
    “Grass would be special if I got to share it with you.”
    “Damn. There you go saying nice things again.” Emily turned and snuggled back against him once more. “I need to think of something better than sandwiches,” she mumbled.
    Wade smiled. She was getting more comfortable being with him. The way she sank into him was a welcome relief after her previous avoidance. And it didn’t hurt that she was trying to think of something special to feed him tomorrow either. “I’ll be happy no matter what you feed me.”
    “Mmm, we’ll see how happy you are when you work out I can’t cook.”
    He could hear the smile in her voice. No wonder she’d been so shocked to discover he’d prepared part of their dinner. “I can cook well enough for both of us.”
    She laughed. “Keep thinking that. I’m lucky to boil water without burning it, and that’s only because I use an electric kettle to do it. Those things are idiot proof.”
    “You can’t be that bad.” Wade grinned at their easy