“He owns the place,”I sign, holding back a chuckle.
Tyler gasps so dramatically, I swear he might collapse.
“Even better. Damn, Lucas.”
I shake my head with a sigh. Wait till you see the balcony.
Just as we make it to the living area and towards the balcony, Lola steps out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a cloth.
“All set, Mr. Lucas,” she says warmly, ignoring once again my request to drop the ‘Mr.’ “Dinner’s served. Everything’s arranged on the table. I hope you both enjoy your evening.” Then she looks at Tyler and smiles. “You must be the birthday boy. Happy birthday.”
“That’s me,” Tyler says with a grin, clearly charmed.
Lola nods with a smile and walks off, heels clicking lightly on the floor.
I squeeze Tyler’s hand gently and lead him through the balcony doors.
The evening breeze greets us, soft and cool. The lights I strung up glow faintly in the fading light. The table is set. The skyline sprawls out ahead like something out of a dream.
Tyler stops short.
He doesn’t say anything right away, just stands there, staring out.
Then, quietly—
“No way…”
I watch him, trying not to let my own chest cave in.
Just this. Just Tyler. Just tonight.
He turns to me, eyes wide, voice softer now.
“You really did all this?”
I nod. My throat’s too tight to try anything more.
He smiles at me, not the teasing one, not the loud one. The real one. The kind that tells me he sees me.
I swallow hard. Something about that smile breaks something loose inside my chest. I draw in a shaky breath and step closer, heart thudding in my ears.
“Happy birthday, Ty,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
Tyler turns his head fully to me. And when our eyes meet, there’s no surprise in his gaze. Just warmth. Because he knows.
He knows those are the only words I manage to say to him every year.
“Nice to hear your voice again,” he says, his voice catching just slightly on the last word.
I look away for a moment, then back at him.
“There are a lot of gifts for you today.”I sign with shaky hands.
For just a heartbeat, I catch it—something in his expression falters. A flicker of disappointment, small but unmistakable. He was hoping I’d say more. Hoping I’d break the silence a little further.
But Tyler, being Tyler, swallows it. Smooths it over with that same soft grin like it’s nothing. Like he didn’t even hope for more.
“Oh really?” he says, perking up. “Can’t wait to open them.”
