Soulmates

Chapter twenty - New Year

Jordan's POV:

Christmas has passed. Melanie and I continued working in the new coffee shop. We should open it soon. The plan is to do that after New Year. We'll put flyers in the other shops. That way, our customers can come and visit us. It's not like we'll offer different drinks. Let's say that the location might be new. I think this should be the last one. I can't handle another shop. This will be too much for me. After all, we need to rest. Our friends keep reminding us to take a break. We can do this, but no one knows when. From time to time, we can take a day off. The thing that we wanted to work in the shop. Melanie doesn't want us to hire anyone else. I understand her. The plan was for both of us to be together. Of course, we can ask our friends for help if we need it. That's why I don't want this to be too often. I should focus on the New Year. This one has almost ended. I can't believe how many things happened. I feel like this has been my most successful one. I don't mean only financially. So many things happened to me this year. It's like I grew up a lot. I should say that this is thanks to Melanie. She has been next to me all the time. I would've never achieved this without her. This girl is ready to do everything for me. I hope that the New Year will be as good as this one.

It's the end of the year. Maybe I should say one great year. At least it was for me. All my wishes came true. I don't think I need anything else. Melanie is mine, and no one can take her from me. I love her more than anything. The only thing I want is for us to keep being together the way we do it now. We had some struggles, but we managed to deal with them. We are happy to be so successful. What matters to me the most is that we did this alone. We didn't let anyone to help us.

Currently, Melanie and I are having breakfast. Chelsea and Natalie invited us for dinner at their house. All of us will be there. I mean, it's the biggest. After all, four people live there. They have enough space for everyone. Melanie wanted us to bring something. Technically, we'll make it. I love it when we cook together. Everything tastes different. Well, she is a better cook than me. Most of the time, I only help. I'm not good at this. At least I can make a perfect cup of coffee. With time, you learn to do everything.

- What is the plan for today? - I asked

- We can rest until the afternoon. Then, we'll start cooking. I want to make something and bring it for tonight's dinner.

- Alright. Do you have a meal in your mind?

- Not yet. I don't know what we should cook.

- Our desserts are good. We can make a cake.

- Only that.

- What else? Don't forget that everyone will cook. That includes Jason and Katy.

- I know, but I want something more.

- We can always serve angel wing shots for everyone.

- I like this. This should be at midnight.

- We have a plan. Now, let's go outside. I don't want to be inside all day.

- Where do you want us to go?

- The shop won't be open by itself.

- Jordan, we don't work there anymore.

- Right. I keep forgetting about this.

- Don't worry. Soon, we'll open the other one. I think this should be the last one.

- For sure. I can't handle another one. It will be too much for me.

- Three coffee shops are more than enough for us.

- Agreed. Why don't we go for hot chocolate? Later, we can walk around. I know a cozy place for lunch.

- Deal. Let me get ready. I'll be quick.

- Take your time. We don't have to rush.

Melanie and I walked out. I want to open the third shop soon, but part of me wants to take a week off and spend it with her. We work so hard all the time. I won't deny having a rest. It's not like I didn't have many opportunities. Let's say that having my own business was my dream. Now I want to live in it. This doesn't mean that I have to work all the time.

We went to get hot chocolate in one of our shops. It feels weird to go as a client. Melanie wanted us to visit Dylan and Josh. Our friend still works with us. Since it makes him feel good, I will leave him.

- Hey, boys. - Melanie said

- Hello. How are you two? - Dylan asked

- Good. You know that after lunch, the shop will be closed. Right?

- We can stay a bit longer.

- Man, we have dinner tonight. - I said

- So?

- Are you trying to avoid her?

- No. The only thing I will say is that I want to work. It makes me feel better.

- Do you want something? - Josh asked

- Yes. Make us two hot chocolates.

- They are coming.

- Here you go.

- Are you kidding? You own the shop. Why would you pay? - Dylan asked

- Because now I am a customer. Take my money if you don't want to be jobless.

- Yes, sir.

- Good.

- What are your New Year's resolutions? - Josh asked, giving us the drinks

- I want to keep working the same way as now. - Melanie said

- Don't you want a break?

- That is the easiest thing I can do.

- I'm not surprised by the answer.

- How will you spend the night? - I asked

- At home.

- Alone?

- Kind of.

- What happened?

- I offered my neighbor to come for dinner.

- No offense, but why don't you ask her out already? - Melanie asked, chuckling

- Because I don't want it to look like I'm doing everything only to impress her. Also, I planned to be alone. When she told me she wouldn't go anywhere, I felt horrible and told her to come. Now, I regret this.

- Why? I'm sure you two understand each other well.

- Yes, but I didn't want company. Now I have to cook something.

- If you want, you can come with us. We'll be at my house. - Dylan said

- Thanks, but no. I prefer fewer people.

- If you say so.

- The shop will be closed after lunch. Melanie and I will go for a walk and then to eat. I'll come to check. If it's not closed, I will kick both of you out.

- Yes, sir. - Josh said

Dylan started feeling well. Hopefully, he won't go back to that state. Melanie and I walked for a while. We went to the place I chose to have lunch. It wasn't that far away, but the walk was enough. Later, we went to the grocery store. We spent the whole afternoon cooking. She played some music to light up the mood. When we finished cooking, we walked to our friend's house. Chelsea opened the door. I wonder why she got dressed.

- Hey, come in.

- Thanks. Is Dylan here? - I asked

- No, he went out. I think he will come soon.

- I hope so.

- We brought some things. Where should I put them? - Melanie asked

- Let's go to the kitchen.

- Sure.

- Look who is here. It took you some time. - Jason said

- At least I don't have a baby on the way.

- Be careful with the words.

- I'm happy to see you.

- I wish I could say the same. - he said, chuckling

- Did Dylan appear? - Noah asked

- No. I saw him in the morning at the shop.

- He walked out but didn't say where he was going.

- I'm sure he will come soon.

- I'll go and help the girls. - Noah said and left

- I'll come for company. - Jason said

- Hey. - Dylan said

- You came.

- Yes.

- Are you ok?

- I'm fine. I only needed some time for myself. That's it.

- If you want, we can talk.

- No, thanks. I feel better.

- You are back. - Chelsea said and hugged him

- You can let me go now.

- I'm sorry. Can you come and help me with something?

- What is it?

- You have to come.

- Go. You two need to talk. Again. - I said, whispering

- It's not like I have a choice.

- Thank you. Let's go.

After an hour, all of us were around the table. We were talking and eating. Everyone shared their best moment of the year. Even Dylan did it. I know it's not easy for him to ask for help, but it's not mission impossible. The good thing is that all of us are together. This should matter the most. Melanie asked Katy about baby names. She didn't say anything. I guess they will tell us when she is born. Probably, it will be related to her grandparents. It's something like a tradition.

Five minutes before midnight, Melanie and I went to prepare angel wing shots for everyone. We'll be in the backyard to watch all the fireworks. Two minutes left us, but we were ready. I took the tray, and we walked out.

- Where did you go? - Katy asked

- To make this. Take one.

- I know what this is. I won't deny a cup or two. - Dylan said

- It's only one.

- Your shots are good. You have to tell us the recipe. - Jason said

- That, my friend, will never happen. It's a secret.

- Why? It's only a drink.

- Our most valuable one.

- Ten seconds. - Katy said

- Wish for something. - I said, looking at Melanie

- I want.

- Three, two, one. - Chelsea said

- Happy New Year! - Natalie said

- Are you ok? You don't talk much. - I said

- I'm perfect. - Melanie said

- You don't look happy. Did I do something?

- Do you want to know what my wish was?

- Yes. If you tell me, it won't come true.

- Does it matter?

- I think it does.

- I want people to stop making us do things we don't like. Just because we have different lives, it doesn't mean we are the bad ones.

- Maybe I know why you want this.

- I hope you do.

- Don't worry. No one can tell us what to do. Everything will be the way we want it.

- Thanks.

- Can I tell you my wish?

- You don't even need to ask. Let me hear it.

- I want you not to leave me and for us to don't have problems.

- Don't you want too much?

- What?

- I'm kidding. I won't go anywhere. You won't get rid of me that easily.

- No one said that I wanted to do it.

- I'm saying it in case you change your mind.

- That will never happen, my angel.

- Thank you, my angel.

The New Year has come. Let's see what it will bring us. I want it to be positive and successful like the last one. So many good things happened to us. This good luck should continue. Melanie is a big part of this. After all, I couldn't do everything alone. I'm glad that she is always by my side. I will never leave her. Neither, I will let her go. She is stuck with me. If she goes away, I have no reason to do whatever it is. All my effort is because of her. I want to know that she has everything she needs. This became my priority since we started dating. I hope that we'll always have what we have now.