Sabrina
Remember my New Year’s Resolution for this year?
Nick
Yeah. No regrets, right?
Sabrina
Yeah. Because we’re so young, you know?
Sabrina
And last year, things between us were happening so fast.
Sabrina
I just…I needed to chase my dreams.
Nick
Come on, Sabrina. I don’t need you to rehash our breakup.
Nick
Especially not today.
Nick
I’m happy for you, but don’t text me, okay?
Nick sets his phone on the bar.
He wishes the sight of Sabrina’s name didn’t make his whole body heat and sizzle.
It’s New Year’s Eve, and he just wants to have a good time.
Sabrina
I just need to say a few things. Please?
Nick
Fine. Say what you need to say.
Sabrina
I’m wearing that necklace you gave me, the one with the sun pendant.
Sabrina
It’s so pretty. You always knew just what I’d like.
It’s not like Sabrina to get sentimental like this.
She’s always moving forward.
Always chasing the next big thing in her life.
It’s one of the reasons he fell in love with her.
It’s also the reason he lost her.
Sabrina
I’ve had a martini…or two.
Sabrina
We’re supposed to be a little drunk tonight, right?
He tips back his glass, draining the rest of his beer.
The bar around him is crowded.
There’s a mix of happy couples and eager singles looking for someone to kiss at midnight.
Nick came here for the same reason, after all.
Not to sit alone and text with his ex.
Sabrina
This was supposed to be my year of no regrets.
Sabrina
And I messed that up, big time.
Sabrina
But I’m trying to fix things before the clock strikes midnight.
Sabrina
Because my biggest regret is breaking up with you.
Nick
Sabrina…I don’t know what to say to that.
Sabrina
Just hear me out.
Sabrina
I thought I needed to check off all these things on my life list.
Sabrina
I moved to the city.
Sabrina
I got the job of my dreams.
Sabrina
And it really is great, by the way. I love it.
Sabrina
No, that’s not what I mean.
Sabrina
When I come home at night…I miss you, Nick.
Nick
What do you want from me, Sabrina?
Nick
Of course I miss you too.
Nick
But you said it yourself. You’re happy with your new life.
Nick
And you have to do what makes you happy.
Nick
It’s okay if that means living with a few regrets.
Sabrina
But I said no regrets, remember?
Nick
I know. It’s why you broke up with me. That’s not exactly something I’d forget.
Sabrina
Speaking of unforgettable, this Midnight Martini is really good.
Sabrina
You should try one.
Nick
I’ll stick with beer.
His gaze drifts to the menu on the bar with tonight’s drink specials.
The Midnight Martini is at the top.
It’s probably a common name for a New Year’s Eve special drink, right?
He scans the bar anyway, just to be sure…
And immediately feels ridiculous for thinking he’d see Sabrina.
Sabrina
If I came back…would you give me another chance?
Nick
That’s kind of beside the point, isn’t it?
Nick
You have your life in the city now, and I’m here.
Nick
New Year’s resolutions are meaningless, anyway. Everyone breaks them.
Sabrina
I take them very seriously.
Sabrina
And I’m not in the city. Not tonight.
Nick’s heart starts beating double-time.
The chaos of the bar melts away.
And the only thing he can focus on is that single blue text bubble on his phone.
Nick
Where are you, exactly?
He spins on the bar stool.
Sabrina stands behind him in a form-fitting blue top and black jeans.
Her eyes are locked on his, and he can’t breathe.
Nick
What are you doing here?
Sabrina
I hoped you might come here tonight.
Sabrina
This was where we always spent New Year’s Eve together.
Nick
I guess you were on my mind tonight.
Nick
Are you in town for long?
She slides onto the empty bar stool beside him.
His gaze drops to her necklace. The sun pendant is dangling between her breasts.
It catches the light from the bar, seeming to gleam there on her chest.
Sabrina
Give me a reason to stay.
Nick sits up straighter on his bar stool.
Nick
That’s the problem, though, isn’t it?
Nick
I can’t be the only reason you stay.
Nick
You’ll end up regretting it.
Sabrina
That’s what I thought when I left.
Sabrina
I thought I needed to see what the world had to offer.
Sabrina
Even more than I need those other things.
Sabrina
I’m so sorry I couldn’t see it before.
Nick
I always wondered why you didn’t ask me to go with you.
Nick
To the city…or to see the world.
Nick
I probably would have gone anywhere you wanted to go.
Sabrina
I know. And that’s why I couldn’t ask it of you.
Sabrina
Besides, I thought I needed to go out there on my own.
Sabrina
And honestly, I think I did need that time alone.
Sabrina
I had a lot of growing up to do.
Nick
I guess I’ve done some growing up this year too.
The bar around them erupts in cheers as the final countdown to midnight begins.
Sabrina
Do you have a New Year’s resolution this year?
Nick
I know I’d just break them.
Nick
I think “second chances” seems like a good theme for the new year, don’t you?
She smiles, and her lips shimmer.
Sabrina
It sounds perfect to me.
Nick leans closer. He catches a whiff of her floral perfume.
And it brings to mind a whirlwind of happy memories.
Sabrina reaches out to touch his cheek.
Sabrina
Not just this. I missed us.
The air is full of happy cheers and laughter.
Nick’s lips meet Sabrina’s for a kiss.
Fireworks go off in his chest, matching the atmosphere of the bar around them.
Sabrina
So does this mean you’re willing to give me a second chance?
And as “Auld Lang Syne” rings out around them…
He pulls Sabrina in for another kiss.
