Free New Year's Kiss (One Night in New York) by Jayn Wilde

 
    “I know.  I know.”  Haylee reached over and slaps her cell phone, temporarily stopping the sound of the alarm she’d set.  “Just five more minutes.”
     
    “Night, Haylee, Happy New Year!”  Mr. Bosner called out as he left the office. 
     
    Haylee mumbled a delayed sentiment as her boss disappeared through the door.  She typed a few more words, hit the spell check and save functions, then emailed off her article.
     
    “I’m leaving work now.”  Haylee left a message for her best friend Krista as she shut her laptop and grabbed her jacket. 
     
    She slapped the phone closed and glanced up at the wall clock.  She had just enough time to get to the bus stop.  She’d have to hurry though because the Saturday schedule was different and if she missed her bus, she’d end up missing the train to NYC later. 
     
    Mumbling as she made her way to the corner where she’d catch the bus, she muttered about having to shower and dress quickly.  The article she'd been working on had taken longer than she anticipated, but now it was done, she was free to enjoy the next couple of days. Haylee stifled a yawn. She loved her job as a journalist but sometimes the hours were too long and the work was daunting.  She'd busted her butt all week just to get off early today and have a few days off.  Taking in a few deep breaths, Haylee let her thoughts focus to tonight...and her goal.  This could be a really nice mini-vacation if she found a decent guy. 
     
     
    Hurrying up the walkway, Haylee let herself in to her small home.  She still smiled every time she turned the key in the lock.  Her own home.  After moving from town to town, and foster home to foster home as a child, it had become a firm goal that she would own her own home by time she was thirty.  She’d exceeded even her own expectations, when she signed the closing papers at the age of twenty-four.  She'd run herself  in to the ground going to school full-time and working three part-time jobs.  Now, she was reaping the benefits.  Sure, she had big debts, but with her job, she was paying them off at an incredible rate. 
     
     
    Haylee wiped away the steam and looked in the mirror as she stepped out of the shower.  Her shower had been short, but that was okay since she had spent last night waxing, shaving, and plucking every inch of her body while she soaked in the bath.  Tonight, she just needed to freshen up.  Plus, her long hair took so long to straighten; she needed all the extra time she could manage tonight. 
     
    She slipped on the silver cocktail dress over her black lace bra and panty set.  The heart shaped bodice curved around her breasts perfectly and her strapless bra held the girls up nicely.  The sleeves were sheer, so even though they covered her shoulders and arms, you could see the lines of her upper body well.  Turning around in front of her bedroom mirror, she was pleased with the way her thong left no panty lines.  She'd even been working out over the past year...the day she made her resolution.  When her schedule allowed, Haylee hit the gym and took either a Zumba or Spin class.  She loved the way her body was now toned and sleek, not bulky or worse, flabby.  She felt sexy and prayed that she could carry some confidence with her tonight.
     
    Slipping on the black velvet bridal heels she bought last week, Haylee admired her slim calves and ankles.  Fumbling with the strap, she finally secured both shoes without ruining her manicure.  Kiki would be proud.  Just last Sunday, Kiki had lectured Haylee about how to maintain the mani/pedi for a week.  Sure enough, her scarlet nails still looked phenomenal, even the little bit that poked through the peep-toe of her heels.  Standing, Haylee wobbled on the short heels.  Grumbling about skyscrapers and insane women, she straightened up and made her way over to the make-up table.
     
    Straightening her hair took awhile, but she loved the final look.  Her red hair