I’m emotionally spent by the time David and I arrive back at our apartment. I toss my purse on the table and start for my room, but not before running straight into a strange woman. “Oh!” I say as she exits my bedroom.

“Monica?” David says. “What are you doing here?”

“Surprise!” She rushes past me to hug David. “Did you think I wouldn’t come visit for your birthday?”

“It’s your birthday?” I ask David. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“No, it’s tomorrow,” he says.

Tomorrow? But he asked me to work on the column with him tomorrow night. Why would he do that instead of going out to celebrate his birthday? I’d think he’d call Lonnie or Dominic instead.

“I thought you’d be happy to see me,” Monica says, smacking his arm. “At least that’s what I told the building supervisor when I convinced him to let me in.” She turns to me. “And who is this?”

I extend my hand. “Hi. I’m Emily. David and I work together at the paper.” The words come rushing out, my token explanation for my relationship with David.

“Oh. Emily.” She gives David a knowing look. “And whose stuff is in my old room?” She jerks a thumb over her shoulder.

“That would be mine,” I say. “Long story short, my previous roommate is getting married and I needed a new apartment. David was looking for a roommate, so he offered the room to me. I hope that’s okay,” I say, seeing the look of confusion on her face. “You weren’t planning to move back here, were you?” God, I hope I don’t have to find a new place again.

“No. It’s just that David never mentioned you moved into my old room.” She smacks his arm again. “I’m starting to think there’s a lot my brother hasn’t told me.”

Sensing I’m intruding on family time, I motion to my room. “I’m going to let you two catch up. I need to take a shower anyway.”

“It was nice meeting you,” Monica says.

“You, too.” I walk inside my room and close the door, but instead of getting my things for the shower, I lean against the door and listen to what they’re saying.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were living with her?” Monica asks in a hushed tone. “Are you two dating again?

“It’s not like that,” David says. “We just came home together because we were out on assignment for the paper.”

“Together?” she asks.

“Yes. I’m writing an article on this couple, and Emily is using the topic for an opinion piece. You wouldn’t be interested in the details. Now tell me why you came all this way for my birthday. You didn’t even tell me you wanted to visit.”

“That’s the whole point of a surprise. I know you. You won’t go out to celebrate. I mean, look. You didn’t even tell Emily your birthday is tomorrow. Do you have any plans at all?”

“Emily and I have to write our column tomorrow.”

I stop listening, feeling guilty for prying into their private conversation. Instead, I start thinking about how I can make tomorrow special for David. It’s too late to get him a gift. But there are a few things I can do. I grab my phone and call Tony’s. Since he runs the sub shop practically by himself and lives in a small apartment above it, I know he’ll answer despite the late hour.

“This is Tony.”

“Tony, hi. This is Emily Richards. I work with Aria,” I say, knowing Aria is Tony’s favorite customer. “I was hoping you’d be able to cater a lunch for me tomorrow at For the Record. I know it’s very short notice, so I’m willing to pay extra.”

“For a friend of Aria’s I can manage. What are you looking for?” he asks.

“Two of those giant subs. It’s David’s birthday. He loves roast beef and turkey, so one of each would be great.”

“You got it. Do you need them delivered?” he asks.

“Could you do that?” He has very little help at the sub shop.

“I have my nephew working deliveries now.”

“Perfect. Does noon work for you?”

“Noon will be fine. Do you want me to throw in some side salads?”

“Yes. I trust your judgment.” I give him my credit card information, thank him, and hang up. Then I text Nate.

Emily: Did you know tomorrow is David’s birthday? Think it would be okay to crash Last Call after work to celebrate? I’m having lunch catered at the paper, but I wanted to do something after work, too.

We could always write our column at work so we have the night off.

I pace my bedroom, waiting for Nate’s reply. A few minutes later, it comes through.

Nate: Caleb says the back room is available. Do you want to book it?

Emily: Yes! Thank you!

Nate: I’ll make sure he gives you the friends and family discount. I’ll take up a contribution at work too to help pay for it since there’s no time to get gifts.

Emily: You’re the best, Nate!

With everything set, I grab my things for the shower. Monica and David are in the living room, and they stop talking when I step out of my room.

“We weren’t talking about you,” Monica says. “I’m sure that made it look like we were though, huh? The immediate silence?”

“No worries. I’ll be in the shower.” I point as if they don’t know where the bathroom is located. I roll my eyes at myself as I close the door behind me. Why am I so nervous around David’s sister?

* * *

Work the next day is crazy. David and I write our column in the morning. I use the excuse of having a date with Sebastian, which he immediately accepts. I have no idea if Lonnie is bartending tonight. I should probably invite her since it’s David’s birthday, but I can’t bring myself to do it. The two of us in the same place would be too awkward. We’ve already tried that, and it didn’t end well. I had no other options for tonight, though. I’m not even sure I would have been able to book Last Call if not for Nate’s connection to Caleb.

When lunch arrives, David is shocked. Tony’s nephew, Tyler, is fifteen, but he’s extremely professional bringing in the subs and setting everything up in the break room. I tip him well when he’s finished. Especially since I forgot to order drinks, but Tony’s provided a variety anyway.

“I can’t believe you did all this,” David says after we finish singing “Happy Birthday” to him. “I feel like I’m in school and the class just sang to me.” He smiles.

“Sorry it’s all so last minute, but someone neglected to tell me he was turning a year older today.” I bump my hip into his.

“It sort of snuck up on me this year, maybe because I’m getting dangerously close to turning thirty,” he says.

“You’ve got a few years left,” I say.

“Still, I couldn’t have asked for a better lunch spread if I had planned something.”

“Good. I’m glad you’re happy. And this evening, you aren’t allowed to ask any questions. You have to do what I tell you, okay?”

His eyebrow quirks, and I realize how that sounded.

I laugh. “I have something else planned. Oh!” I raise my hand to my mouth. “I forgot to tell your sister.”

Monica slept in David’s room last night, and he took the couch. She’s only here until Sunday morning, and since she came to be with her brother on his birthday, I can’t believe I forgot to include her in my plans.

“She’s going to hate me. I can’t believe I didn’t tell her. What if she has other plans for you?”

David takes me by the arms. “Emily, relax. It’s so sweet of you to do this for me. I’m sure Monica will be fine with whatever you’ve come up with. I’ll text her and let her know.”

I nod, but I still feel awful. “Please apologize for me.”

“There’s no need. I’m sure she was planning to tag along with whatever I had planned.”

“Okay. What about Lonnie? Do you want to invite her?”

He pauses and runs a hand through his hair. “We weren’t planning on hanging out tonight. I’m pretty sure she’s working.”

“Oh. Okay.” I’m relieved to hear Lonnie will be too busy working to attend the party with David. I want to have him to myself tonight.

“You have to tell me how you managed to do so much in so little time.”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I guess when you put your mind to something, it isn’t that difficult. Besides, I want to make sure you have a great birthday.”

He pulls me out of the break room. The newsroom is empty since everyone is busy eating. He looks around for a moment and then presses his lips to mine. I grip his arm, almost holding him in place so he doesn’t pull away too quickly.

When he finally does break the kiss, he says, “Sorry. That was my birthday wish, though.”

“You haven’t even had cake or blown out a candle,” I joke. “And why would you waste a birthday wish on something so small as kissing me?”

He runs his thumb down my cheek. “Kissing you isn’t something small at all, but it’s only part of my birthday wish.”

I’m dying to know if the rest of the wish involves spending the night with me, because looking into his eyes right now, that’s all I want.