Page 77 of Restricted List

“Why the hell is my apartment so dark?” I ask as the girls follow me through the door. “I always leave the foyer light on.”

“Suwise!” I hear a little voice shout through the darkness, followed by a groan.

“Well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag now,” Lane laughs as I flip on the lights, finding a small surprise party set up for me.

Sage runs over to me as Cole, Lane, Knox, and my dad come out from their hiding spots.

“Thank you, guys,” I say, heart swelling at the sweet gesture. Tears prick the corners of my eyes thanks to the goddamn hormones, but I blink them away. “This is so nice.”

My dad walks over and wraps his arms around me. “Couldn’t resist doing something for my baby girl. The guys here helped me set up while you were out with the girls.”

“That’s what I get for giving you a spare key,” I laugh. I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “Thank you, Dad.” I turn to face everyone else now, the girls having joined the guys in the living room. “And thank you. This means a lot.”

“You gotta have a party for your birthday, Rory,” Cole says, smiling softly.

This is actually the first time Cole and I have seen each other sincethatnight. We’ve texted but haven’t seen each other in person until just now. And now that he’s in front of me, I kinda wish no one else was here so I could just have him to myself.

I’ve missed him.

“Still,” I say, biting down a smile, “this is very nice. Thank you, everyone.”

“Enough with the thank you’s,” Ella exclaims. “Let’s fucking party!”

“Duck!”

The room laughs as Lane just groans, resigning himself to the fate of having a daughter with a spicy vocabulary.

“Happy birthday, babe!” Harlow wraps her arms around me, squeezing me tight. She’s a bit tipsy from all the wine tonight.

“Thanks, Lo. Love you.”

“Love you more,” she smiles before moving over to hug her brother.

While she does, Knox steps closer and drapes an arm around my shoulders. “Happy birthday, Rory.”

“Damn, I even get birthday wishes from Fort Knox.” I laugh as he sighs, irritated that he’ll never shake that nickname.

“So, who all knows?” he asks, whispering as he leans closer to me.

He doesn’t need to specify. I know exactly what he’s talking about.

“Everyone but Harlow. I know Cole won’t have told her, and I certainly haven’t.”

“Got it. I’ll keep my mouth shut.” He gives me a soft, reassuring smile. “For what it’s worth, I think your dad is wrong. Cole’s a good guy.”

“I know he is.”

“It might just be worth the risk.”

I look at him dumbfounded. “Harlow wasn’t kidding; you really have turned into a sap.”

“I embrace it now,” he grins before removing his arm from around me and stepping closer to his girlfriend. “You ready to head home, Freckles?”

“Lead the way, Slick.”

After they say their goodbyes, they’re out the door, leaving just Cole and me behind.

I close the door behind them and turn around to find Cole lookingdelicious.

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