“I’m pleased to see you too,” he said, still catching his breath, kissing the top of my head.
“You’re here for my birthday,” I murmured into his coat. “I can’t believe it.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
When I finally let go, he handed me the flowers, and we walked to my apartment arm in arm, like this was the most natural thing in the world.
“I can’t believe you flew all the way from New York,” I said, fumbling for my keys. “Was it a long flight?”
He tightened his arm around me and pulled me closer. “An eternity.”
I tilted my head up and smiled at him. “But totally worth it, right?”
“Your modesty is one of the things I love about you.”
One of the things?“Oh?”
“Do you know what else I love about you?”
I slid the key into the lock and looked up at him.
Caleb leaned in, his gaze so intense it could have drilled a hole in me. “Everything.”
His hands framed my face. His thumb brushed my cheekbone, and my breath caught—not from anticipation alone, but from the way my pulse suddenly thundered. The light in his blue-green eyes danced, dangerous and soft all at once.
“The more I see you,” he murmured, his forehead nearly touching mine, “the better I know you, the deeper?—”
His breath skimmed my lips.
I leaned into him without another thought.
“Mama!” Lucas yelled from inside the apartment.
I closed my eyes.Perfect timing. Always.
I unlocked the door quickly, my face burning as we stepped inside.
“Surprise!”
The room exploded with voices and laughter. Elle and Donna, their families, Caleb’s siblings with their spouses and kids, Patty—everyone was there. Balloons and candles filled the apartment. A marble cheesecake sat proudly on the table, gifts stacked neatly in the corner.
Elle hugged me and whispered, “Caleb planned the whole thing, by the way.”
I looked at him across the room as he greeted everyone.How did he plan this after he was so mad at me? Or was that his intention?It seemed too real to be instigated in that manner.
The room suddenly tilted.
I felt light-headed. Remembering I hadn’t taken my medication, I excused myself and headed for the bathroom. A cough seized me halfway there, violent enough to make me brace myself against the sink. I covered my mouth.
When I lowered my hands, there was blood.Oh no. Not now. Not tonight.
I’d postponed the surgery again because of work. Dr. Sloan hadn’t been happy. He’d warned me to take my medication every day, on time.
I grabbed my medication, but my vision blurred as I tried to read the label. The letters swam. Panic creptin fast.
I stumbled out of the bathroom, trying to catch someone’s attention.
The floor rushed up to meet me.
