Page 95 of Our Secret Moments

“As you should,” Nora agrees and I nod. Elle deserves nothing short of perfect. Nora turns back to me, squinting her eyes. “So, what’s the plan for the rest of the day? Are we going to hunt down this secret admirer?”

I laugh and shake my head. “No, I’m not really interested in finding out who it is. I’ll wait it out and see if they send anything else. As for the rest of the day, I really don't mind what we do. We can just watch movies all day and pick up a cake from the store.”

Nora frowns. “Are you sure? I’m sure we could put together a party if you wanted.”

“I’m sure,” I say. “A night in with you guys is what I need before we start back at school again. I’m already anticipating another semester of torture.”

“Sounds good,” she replies, turning back to Elle. “You’ve not got training today, do you?”

Elle looks up at us, eyes wide as if she hasn’t been listening. “Guys, don’t think I’m crazy, but I completely zoned out during half of that conversation.”

Nora squints her eyes. “What are you thinking about?”

She sighs wistfully, shaking her head. “Fictional men.”

When we all burst out laughing, I know there is no one else I’d want to spend my birthday with. I might not have got a text from my dad at all today, but I know my mom is looking down at me and I know she’s proud of me.

The call from JoJo at 12 AM solidified the fact that the people that care about me will show up and make an effort, no matter how small the occasion. They are the kind of people who I will dedicate my life to be surrounded by.

My real family.

THIRTY-FIVE

CAT/CONNOR

FIRST DATE

CAT

I should have knownsomething was up when Connor texted me last night and told me to go to sleep early. I should have known when I heard the click of the dorm door opening at midnight and the soft footsteps walking back towards Elle’s room. I should have known when I heard my bedroom door open five hours later, but I had convinced myself that it was one of the girls. But it’s hard to misshissmell.

I turn over in bed, trying not to open my eyes. It’s way too early for this.

“Baby, wake up,” he urges, his voice soft and quiet. I just want to curl up into him. I open one of my eyes, peeking to see him kneeling at the side of my bed, smiling at me.

“What are you doing?” I ask sleepily.

“It’s our date today.”

I glance over at the clock on my bedside table, and as expected, it’s a ridiculous time in the morning. “It’s five in the morning, Connor. Let me go back to sleep,” I groan, snuggling my face into my pillow. He just continues smiling at me and thenthe thought occurs to me. “Did Elle leave the door open for you to sneak in?”

He shakes his head, but the grin on his face is answer enough. “Never mind that. I have an idea for today, so you’ve got to get your cute ass up.” He presses a kiss to my forehead before he brings up a mug to my bedside table, smiling wide. “I made you some hot cocoa.”

I match the grin on his face. “That’s not going to help wake me up, Connie.”

“I know, but you don’t drink coffee, so this is the next best thing.”

He’s right. Coffee makes me too shaky and it gives me a stomach ache whenever I have it, but the fact that he remembers that about me makes me lean down and kiss him slowly, sweetly. I pull back when I realise that I’ve only just woken up.

I press my fingers to my lips. “Oh my god. I’m sorry. I probably have really bad morning breath.”

“Don’t care.” He shakes his head, pulling my fingers from my face and wraps his hand around my neck, pressing our lips together again. “Kiss me whenever you want, baby.”

I wish Connor had given me more of an indicator as to what today is going to be like because now I have no clue what I’m doing. Once I’ve gotten dressed into a thick burgundy sweater, black jeans and some Uggs, Connor just stares at me quietly as we stand in my bedroom.

I place my hands on my hips. “What’s the plan?”

“I’m glad you asked,” he says, clasping his hands together. “We can spend the first half of the day outside or at my house because my parents are working all day. Archer and Wes are sickand I don’t want to be around them in the dorm. So, the first half of the day is up to you.”

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