I like it here, though. It’s calm, quiet, and homey. It feels like home now.
My parents and two sisters have all visited, and they have all easily fallen in love with the town's charm. My mother likes to remind me that Cupid City will be a beautiful place to settle down with a family. To that, I roll my eyes and ignore her.
I find it unlikely that I’ll find a woman who can put up with me and my lifestyle.
The sign flickers as we head inside—and everyone’s there, waiting to yell surprise.
Of course, when I say everyone, I mean a few of my buddies from Heartline Security, my neighbours, my college roommate, and a couple of others from around town.
I find myself roped into a round of handshakes and back-slapping hugs. Trevor pushes a beer into my hand. "You look like you saw a ghost," he grins.
"Just didn’t expect to see all of you in one room without someone getting married or arrested," I shoot back, trying to sound casual.
Maya, Lee’s wife, asks, "So, Kaden, any wild birthday wishes this year?"
"Honestly? Just a quiet night and a slice of cake sounds good," I say, which gets a few laughs.
I end up next to my neighbours, Lena and Mark. They’re glowing, practically vibrating with excitement. "Happy birthday, K. We can’t stay long; the sitter needs to be home early - she’s technically supposed to be grounded. We wanted to give our wishes in person," Lena says, beaming.
Mark and Lena live next to me and have a four-year-old son, Mack. I’ve babysat a few times, they’ve hosted neighbourhood barbecues, and they keep an eye on my house when I’ve needed it. They’re a lovely, very happy couple. They’re the reason I bought that house, in all honesty.
"Thank you, I appreciate it, but you didn’t have to. We can catch up anytime," I say, genuinely pleased to see them. "How’s the renovation coming along?"
"Almost finished. Honestly, these guys are a dream crew. I highly recommend it if you ever need any work done," Mark says, then nudges me. "So, when’s your real birthday, anyway? Is it today, or did Trevor just pick a random Thursday?"
I smirk. "It was Monday. But the real celebration was not getting another one of those singing cards off my mother."
They laugh. For a moment, I almost forget how out of place I usually feel at parties like this.
They promise to say goodbye before they leave, but I’m not worried; I know where they live, and I’ll see them again soon enough. I’m passed around the group, making small talk with everyone.
Overall, the night is pleasant enough. I only have two beers, but a few of the guys keep insisting on another. Trevor and Link are even doing shots, so I just laugh and wish them luck.
I’m getting ready to leave when I spot my ‘boss’, Cassian Rhodes, sitting alone at the bar. Moody and alone as usual, I’m surprised he’s here at all.
“Happy birthday. Did you get your gift?”
“Yeah, thanks, you shouldn’t have.” I chuckle, but I sober as we crack down to business. “I’ve looked it over; I’ll head to the estate in the morning.”
“I’m on a case, but I don’t like Marcus, and I definitely don't trust him. If you need help or don’t want to take the case, just shout.”
I nod and ponder his words as he gets up and leaves. I didn’t realise that Cass knew Marcus, but it shouldn't surprise me; Cass has been around the block a time or two.
I’m not one for parties or other social gatherings, but I can respect that these people are here for me.
3
Ashleigh
Sunlight slants through the tall windows of my bedroom, painting shifting patterns across the carpet. I sit cross-legged on my velvet chaise, blueprints and ledgers scattered in a chaotic sprawl across my bed. The scent of musty books mingles with the perfume of fresh peonies in a vase on my nightstand. Quite the contrast.
My eyes dart between the sprawling lines of our family’s mansion, the daunting columns of numbers in the estate’s finances, and the ornate sketches of my upcoming wedding venue. My pencil is tucked behind my ear, but I keep chewing my lower lip, completely absorbed in calculations and worries. It’s quiet except for the distant echo of footsteps in the hallway and the occasional chirp of birds outside. Still, the tension in my shoulders never eases.
A sharp knock shatters the quiet and my concentration. My heart leaps into my throat as my eyes dart from the bedroom door back to the mess in front of me. I scramble to gather the papers, shoving blueprints under my pillows, stuffing theledgers into my bedside drawers, and snatching away the wedding sketches just as the door creaks open.
“Miss Ashleigh?” the maid calls softly, though her tone sounds urgent. “Your father wants you downstairs. Right away.”
I force a smile, though my hands tremble as I smooth my skirt and tuck a stray curl behind my ear. “Thank you, Miriam. I’ll be right there.”
