Page 71

She glances at her screen. “I’ve just text him.”

Lennie is already reaching for his phone. “Think Enzo can throw together a surprise party at ridiculously short notice?”

Saint laughs. “I think that man could cater the apocalypse if you gave him half an hour.”

Five minutes later, Enzo has promised a party like no other, whilst the rest of us split up to salvage what we can from the convention floor. A handful of traders still packing away happily sell us last-minute gifts once they hear what we’re up to.

Someone donates handmade candles, another wraps up a beautiful art print, and Saint somehow manages to persuade one stallholder to part with a leather-bound journal they’d already boxed away.

Jax arrives not long after Ember’s message, slightly out of breath from crossing the halls. “I’ve got something,” he says, handing over a neatly wrapped bag before glancing towards the entrance. “Can you hide it with the others?”

Ember nods, taking it from him.

“I’ll keep Bri distracted,” he says. “We’ll head back after you’ve all gone. Text me when you’re ready for her.”

Saint claps his hands together. “Excellent. Operation Birthday Bri is officially underway.”

Chapter 50

Saint

There are few things in life more terrifying than organising a surprise party in under an hour. Fortunately, Enzo appears to possess actual magic. “I save these,” he says proudly, emerging from a cupboard I’d swear wasn’t there five minutes ago, arms laden with boxes. “For celebrations.”

“Enzo…” I breathe, staring at the treasure trove. “You’re the kind of man romance films get written about.”

He beams. “I know.”

Within twenty minutes, the lodge is transformed. Warm white fairy lights wind around every wooden beam in the lounge, casting a soft glow over the old stone walls. Whilst delicate paper lanterns adorn the ceiling, and fragrant garlands of eucalyptus and lavender appear along the mantelpiece as though they’ve always belonged there.

Outside, the courtyard has transformed into something else entirely. The fairy lights overhead are joined by dozens more, criss-crossing between the stone walls making the whole space twinkle beneath the twilight blue sky. Glass lanterns filled with flickering candles line the pathways, their light dancing across the cobbles, while little pots of lavender and rosemary are tucked between them, filling the cool evening air with the scent of summer. It feels... Magical. Like the sort of place people fall a little more in love with life. Or each other.

“Saint!” Ember’s voice snaps me out of my admiration.

“Sorry!” I dart across the courtyard carrying the little gifts we’d gathered from the convention. The leather journal goes onto the present table first, alongside the handmade candles and art print. Next is a tiny dragon carved from reclaimed wood and a packet of little artisan hot chocolate ghosts—made from the finest Belgian chocolate—because Ember couldn’t possibly leave them behind.

Every gift is small but chosen because somebody saw it and thought… That’s Bri.

I smile to myself. Funny how quickly she found a place in all our hearts.

Inside the kitchen, Luna is helping Enzo with military precision. “Those need another five minutes.”

“Sì, I know.” He tuts. The smell drifting through the lodge is enough to make my stomach growl. Fresh pizza, garlic butter, roasted tomatoes and something involving chocolate that I’m almost certain borders on illegal.

Lennie appears beside me carrying a ridiculous number of wine bottles. “I found the good stuff.”

“Excellent.”

Within minutes he’s arranging them across the long table in the courtyard. There’s enough to hydrate a small village.

“Right!” I clap my hands together. “Everyone back to your rooms.”

Blank faces.

“To get changed.”

Understanding dawns.

“Oh!” Ember laughs. “Right.”