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

slipped back and forth over her shoulders as she started on her make-up.  Not one for extravagance, Haylee went with simple blush, eyeliner, glittery silver eye-shadow and mascara.  Dabbing a few drops of Clinique’s Happy perfume on her wrists and behind her ears, she returned to the bedroom mirror.  Giving herself a once-over, she grinned.  “You look HAWT, girl!”
     
    Haylee left in her diamond stud earrings, slipped on a silver choker chain with a dangling heart and a few simple silver bangles.  She couldn’t afford to waste anymore time as she noticed it was almost five.  Grabbing an overnight bag from the closet, Haylee threw in jeans, a shirt, a sweater, her Keds, make-up bag and a red bra and panty set.  Just in case she wasn’t coming home until tomorrow, she wanted to be prepared.  Nothing like making the walk of shame in the previous night’s clothing.   Giggling to herself, Haylee tucked her phone, ID and some money in a black and silver clutch and headed out the door. Tucking the spare key under the potted plant on her porch, she was all set to have the night of her life.

     
    “Girl, you look fabulous!”  Krista shrieked as she grabbed Haylee in a bear hug.  “Yum.  Is that fruity smell Happy ?”
     
    “You know it is, you goof.  You gave it to me for my birthday.”  Haylee laughed and extracted herself from Krista’s death grip.
     
    “Hey, sexy!”  Niall kissed Haylee on the cheek.  Niall, an English transplant, was the flirt of their little group.  Shyly, Mack and Logan also gave her pecks on the cheek.  Haylee took in her four close friends and smiled.  “You all look amazing.  Wow.  There are going to be some hearts broken in New York tonight.”
     
    Haylee looked over the guys one at a time as she spoke.  All three could pass for brothers or cousins at least.  They each were six foot tall, or more, muscled, with goatees, tattoos, button down shirts and tight jeans.  Maybe more like members of a biker gang. Haylee chuckled to herself as she realized all three had black leather jackets with them.  They were a hot bunch of guys and she’d crushed on each one at some point since Freshman year of high school.  Now, they, along with Krista, were her best friends and more like family to her.   Something she’d lacked growing up, but now was precious to her.  She’d never jeopardize that for a fling with one of the guys.  In fact, it had become one of her strict rules. “Never date a friend.”
     
    “The train doesn’t come for a half-hour, Lee,” Krista tugged on her arm.  “Let’s go over to the bar and grab a drink.”
     
    “Stop calling me that, Kris.”  Haylee shot back.  They’d always found ways to tease each other over their names since high school.  Most common were the male names of Kris and Lee.
     
    Niall laughed and squeezed between the girls, throwing his tree trunk arms over their shoulders.  Mack and Logan flanked the girls on the outside.  One thing about the guys, they were extremely protective over Krista and Haylee.  The girls loved it and Krista often played it up to grab the attention of other men.  Because, after all, males love competition and seeing two girls and three guys always seemed to catch the eyes of others.   Haylee giggled as the guys joked around about some football star’s latest scandal.  They’d think she was laughing with them, but in reality, she was thinking of what strangers must think of their close group.  A ménage plus two?  She laughed out loud as they entered the bar and everyone turned to look at them.
     
    A few shots of Jager later, the group headed back across the street to the station.  The trains were delayed due to snow somewhere along the line, so they huddled together to keep warm as they waited.
     
    Krista’s phone rang and she broke from the group to answer it.  “That was Beth.  She, Cara, Melissa, Jake and Kyle will meet us at the next station. Apparently the storm is