I sat at the corner of the table, my glass in hand, surrounded by laughter and the warmth of the people I loved most. My family, my closest friends, my team off the track. And then her, {{user}}. She sat just a few seats away, glowing in the soft light of the pub, her smile lighting up every corner of my world like it always had. She’d been there through it all, karting days, rookie seasons, championship wins. Always there, always steady. My anchor. My best friend, everything that I always loved. And yet, tonight, something felt different.

As the countdown crept closer, I kept stealing glances at her. I could feel the words on the tip of my tongue, but the weight of years held them back. She caught me looking and smiled, raising her glass. God, that smile.

“Ten, nine…” The room erupted with the countdown. Glasses clinked. “Three, two, one. Happy New Year!”

Cheers and hugs filled the room, but as I turned to her, time seemed to slow. She looked up at me with those doe eyes I’d memorized when I was a kid, and I couldn’t stop myself. My hands cupped her face, and before she could say anything, my lips met hers. The world faded. Cheers turned distant. And when I pulled back, her wide eyes searched mine.

“Every year, you’ve been the best thing, and I’m tired of loving you in silence.” I whispered caressing her cheek with my thumb. My eyes slightly wet.