Page 118 of Promise Me Nothing
Happy Birthday,
Lucas
It shocks me how quickly he already seems to know me. But it also warms something in my chest. Something that had frozen over a long time ago.
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, still struggling to understand how he managed to figure out such a special birthday gift. Something I can really use. Something that has the potential to change my life.
Deciding to accept Lucas’ amazing gift without complaint, I slowly open the box, pulling out the Nikon D850.
It fits perfectly in my hands, not too heavy but not so light that I don’t realize how expensive this must be.
A camera like this will be a game changer. I might even be able to build up an actual, legitimate photography business now.
Eventually, I force myself to walk away from my gift, heading downstairs to find my brother.
When I find him in the kitchen, chatting with Otto, I bump everyone out of the way and wrap my arms around him. “Thank you so much,” I say. Then I pull back and see the pleased smile on his face. “Seriously. And yes, I do think it is too much. But it’s also amazing and could possibly completely change everything. So I’m not going to tell you I won’t take it.”
“I’m glad,” he says, his smile matching mine. “Now, let’s celebrate.”
I look over my shoulder, my eyes widening when I see Paige pulling a cake out of the fridge.
“Sorry, I was supposed to get this ready once I saw you come home and I lost track of time,” she says, digging candles out of a box. “Gimme thirty seconds.”
The last time I had a birthday cake with candles was my ninth birthday. It was Cinderella themed, though the idea of becoming an orphan and dealing with wicked family drama wasn’t even on my radar at the time.
So when Paige gets all of the candles lit, someone turns off the music, and everyone in the area starts singing happy birthday to me?
The rush of emotion is almost too high.
Too much.
I close my eyes before I blow out my candles, not wanting to waste my wish even though I know it’s bullshit. Then I lean forward and blow out the candles as everyone claps for me.
“How did you know?” I ask Lucas, stepping to the side as Paige whisks away the cake to pluck the candles and start slicing for our little group. “I didn’t tell anyone it was my birthday today.”
He shrugs. “I saw it on your MatchLink profile when we first started talking.”
“And you remembered?”
He blushes.
Like taking the time to file away information about me is something he should be embarrassed about, or like I might judge him for remembering something like this.
But I embrace him, wrapping my arms around him tight.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
He nods, gives the top of my hair a kiss and steps back. “You’re welcome.”
My phone beeps in my pocket and I step away, pulling it out, hoping it’s Wyatt. I smile when I see it’s him.
Wyatt: Can you meet me outside?
Me: Sure. Gimme a second.
I glance around, making sure no one needs me, then head out to the courtyard where I find Wyatt sitting on the steps.
“Hey, why didn’t you come inside? You just missed it.”
