12. Twelve
TWELVE
Caolan
I pace restlessly behind the couch. David’s getting ready for the special birthday dinner I told him I’d planned.
He doesn’t know about the epic surprise party.
My job is to get him there without making him suspicious.
I can do that. I managed to keep everything a secret during the months of planning—he doesn’t suspect at all.
Footsteps echo down the hall, and I turn to see my beautiful David striding toward me. There’s a tiny smile on his face, and I smile back. Just looking at him makes me happy.
“Ready?” he asks. “I don’t want to be late for our reservation.”
There’s something about the way he says it that makes me frown. Almost like he’s joking. But that can’t be—we don’t have a reservation, of course, but he doesn’t know that.
“I’m ready. I thought we’d take the train.” His favorite restaurant shares the same station as where we’re going, which should keep him oblivious until the very last second.
He pauses on the way to the door, blue eyes thoughtful. “You know, a special dinner isn’t necessary. All I want is to spend the night with you. We can just order takeout and snuggle on the couch.”
Panic shoots through me like a lightning strike. “No! I mean, we do that all the time. Let’s go out.”
David shrugs, then leans over to kiss me. “If that’s what you want.”
I follow him out, and while he’s locking the door, I discreetly text Alistair.
On our way.
I hope you enjoyed this introduction to my Hidden Species world!