Page 11 of The Stranger

By the time Maura comes back to Earth, she slumps on the handlebars and gives me a soft smile, her eyes still at half-mast. “Quick question. How are you in a suit?”

The question throws me off-guard. “I’m okay. I can pull one off. Why?”

“You’re my date for my twenty-ninth birthday party this Saturday.”

5

MAURA

Tyler said he was okay in a suit, that he could pull it off.

Understatement of the century. An outright lie.

I have to pick my jaw off the floor when I see him slouched against a vintage white Ford Bronco. It’s not my choice of ride, but what the hell, I’ll go on a carriage if it means showing up with him at my party.

He’s wearing a black suit jacket and dress pants, with a crisp white shirt underneath and black shoes. It doesn’t quite hide the tattoos on his hands, but the overall effect, especially with his trademark man bun, is devastating to my femininity.

Something’s off about the whole look, though, and when I get closer, I realize why.

“Where are your piercings?”

Tyler’s eyes shine with amusement. “I thought I needed to clean up for your party, and I wanted to look presentable. I didn’t want to stand out.”

I scoff. “You will stand out regardless.”

The moment I say it, I realize he’s gonna throw every other guy in the shade once he enters a room—any room—and of course, there’s the matter of girls who’ll most likely hit on him. Elena and Kat received invites, and they liked to flirt with any man who came near me, including Martin. Martin entertained them, of course, which didn’t bother me. But a heavy weight settles on my stomach when I think of them flirting with Tyler.

“You okay?” he asks, his fingers grazing my arm.

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

“Not yet.” He smiles and takes out a small box from his pocket, opening it to reveal a gold necklace with at least a dozen round stones alternating with small diamonds. The design reminds me of fish bones, and I love it.

My hands go to the lock on my serpent diamond necklace. Without a second thought, I unclasp it and drop it into my purse.

“Happy birthday, little fairy,” he murmurs, stepping behind me to clasp the necklace around my neck, his fingers brushing my collarbones and the sides of my neck. It shouldn’t feel as good as it does.

“Thank you.” I turn to face him, my hand touching the necklace almost reverently.

I don’t know how it’s possible, but Tyler has a sheepish look on him. “I know you’re probably used to expensive diamonds the size of my fist, but Erika’s girlfriend is a jeweler. She made this for you. The red and pink stones are spinel, which is one of your birthstones.”

A lump of emotion lodges in my throat. No one has ever given that much thought to my gifts before. Yes, I get expensive items. But all of them pale in comparison to this. It’s beautiful and worth more than all my jewelry collection combined.

“Thank you, Tyler. This is beautiful. I love it. Truly.”

Tyler nods. “It’s not much?—”

“I said I love it.”

He probably sees the truth in my eyes because he smiles. “It belongs in a set, but Lanie can’t rush them all. This is the only one she finished.”

“I should’ve known.”

“Know what?”

“That you like jewelry as much as I do. With your piercings and all.” I give him the stink eye. “Don’t take them off next time. I like those little blings.”

“Little bl—” He bursts out laughing and wraps his hands around my waist, pulling me to him. “I don’t want to mess up your makeup, so this will have to do for now.” Tyler kisses my forehead, and butterflies flutter in my belly. Why do I find that so intimate? More intimate than the soul-sucking kiss we shared the other day at the park.

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