Page 161 of Puck Me Back to Life

Ash's eyebrows lift. “Okay.”

“But…” I hesitate just long enough to make him curious. “Would you come over tonight?”

His expression changes immediately. “You want me at your place?”

“Yeah.”

“When?”

“Seven.”

His mouth slowly curls into a smile. “What's at seven?”

I shrug. “It's a surprise.”

“Oh?”

“Don't make that face.”

“What face?”

“The one where you're already making it dirty.”

His grin widens. “I wasn't.”

“You absolutely were.”

“I have no idea what you're talking about.”

“Pervert.”

He looks genuinely pleased by the accusation. “You still haven't told me what the surprise is.”

“If I tell you, it won't be a surprise.”

He pretends to consider that. “Fair.”

“So?”

“So?”

“Will you come?”

His answer comes without hesitation. “I'll be there.”

“Seven.”

“I'll be early.”

“I figured.”

He squeezes my hand one last time before pulling me into a quick kiss. “I'll see you tonight, Hayes.”

“See you tonight.”

The Uber ride home is quiet. I spend most of it staring out the window while the city drifts by in shades of gray. The driver asks if my day has been alright. I tell him yes.

That makes three lies.