“Well, if you’re sure, then we need to crack open the bubbly, ’cause there’s only a few minutes ’til midnight.”
“Oh, crap!” Jules jolted with surprise. “Guys! Will, Lucy!” she shouted. “It’s nearly time!”
“Geez, Jules, chill,” whined Chloe from the couch.
“I’ve got the fizz!” called out Lucy. She entered the living room with the bottle held high, followed by Will who carried six flutes—three in each hand. “Here, Matt, you’re the expert,” said Lucy, handing over the bottle.
Matt got to work on the foil, while Lucy took the glasses from Will and placed them on the coffee table. Matt removed the cage from the cork, then cracked the bottle with a whisper, just as the DJ on the radio announced in his silky voice that there was one minute to go.
“Oh, my god!” Jules was practically dancing with excitement and, as Matt poured each glass, she handed them out.
“I just wanna say something before the countdown,” Jules said hurriedly. “Archer, Chlo, come on, you two, stand up.” Archer leapt up and held out a hand to Chloe, who tutted good-naturedly as she peeled herself off the couch.
“I’ll make it quick, I promise,” said Jules. “I just want to say that I love you girls like sisters, my fellow May Ladies, and I’m so happy that we’re all here together.” Lucy gave her a broad smile and an “aw” and Chloe pursed her lips to blow a kiss across the room. “Archer, thank you so much for making this happen. Will, Lucy, you were amazing getting the place ready for us.
“And Matt …” Jules turned to look up at him, feeling his hand tighten on her waist. “Thank you. Thank you for coming all this way with me—for me.” She grinned, surprised by the tears in her eyes, and Matt dipped his head to land a quick kiss.
“Ten, nine, eight …” Jules shared an excited look with Lucy, then Chloe, as they all joined in on the countdown. “Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!”
The six voices rang out, “Hap-py New Year!” as their flutes came together to toast the New Year and all the promise it held.
THE END
If you enjoyed The Christmas Swap then you’ll LOVE the Holiday Romance Series which is also by Sandy Barker, an uplifting romance series with gorgeous destinations.
You can get the first book, One Summer in Santorini here!
Be sure to follow Sandy Barker on Twitter @sandybarker, on Facebook @sandybarkerauthor, and check out their website at www.sandybarker.com for all the updates on their latest work.
Acknowledgements
It’s hard to believe I am writing the acknowledgements for my fourth book, but here I am. I have dedicated this book to my parents—my mum, Lee, my dad, Ray, and my step-mum, Gail. I am extremely fortunate to have parents who not only love me, but champion me and inspire me. They have also instilled in me the importance of family—including the family members we choose—as well as having a sense of adventure and following your dreams.
Family is a prominent theme in this book and as I write these acknowledgements amid the second round of COVID-19 lockdowns here in Melbourne, ‘family’ has become more important to me now than ever. And for me, a person who has lived on three continents, that word encompasses all the people I love, all the people who inspire me, lift me up, confide in me, and ease my path. Thank you, family—wherever you are. Stay safe and we will meet again someday soon.
As always, I am grateful to my two partners-in-writing, my editor, Hannah Todd, and my agent, Lina Langlee. It is wonderful having you in my corner and you are both gifted collaborators. Hannah, thank you for being my champion at One More Chapter and HarperCollins, and for your excellent feedback, which always elevates my writing. I continue to grow as an author under your guidance. Lina, I greatly appreciate your advocacy, your astute guidance, and your ongoing support of my writing career. Ever onwards and upwards—together.
Thank you to my fellow authors for supporting, championing, and inspiring me, particularly my fellow Renegades, Nina, Andie, and Fiona. Our daily catchups sustain me; they are chocolate for my soul. Thank you to Lucy Coleman (Linn B. Halton) whose quote appears on the cover of this book. I hope that one day I will be as prolific and as accomplished as you. Your books are the stuff of dreams. Thank you to all my fellow romance authors who forge and shape this genre, and to the book lovers, bloggers, and reviewers whose passion for romantic fiction lifts us all, especially my friends at UKRomChat, The Reading Corner Book Lounge, and Chick Lit and Prosecco. Thank you to the volunteers at the Romance Novelists Association and Romance Writers of Australia for your tireless efforts to sustain and elevate romantic fiction. And thank you to my fellow Aussie authors at the Australian Writer’s Centre and #AusWrites.
Lastly, dear reader, thank you. Thank you for traveling across three continents with me and enjoying some Christmassy goodness. Christmas is my favourite holiday, and over my lifetime, I’ve spent it in the US, the UK, and Australia—each Christmas special for its distinct traditions and the loved ones I’ve shared it with.
Happy Christmas and stay safe.
~ Sandy Barker
About the Author
Author bio.
@sandybarker
@sandybarkerauthor
@sandybarkerauthor
www.sandybarker.com
Also by Sandy Barker
One Summer in Santorini
That Night in Paris
A Sunset in Sydney
About the Publisher
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