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“It was perfect,” I reply softly. “I have to say that today has been the most perfect birthday in the history of the world.”
“And now you’re eighteen,” he says. “An adult. Abeautifuladult woman.”
“Yep,” I reply, smiling from ear to ear. “I guess I am. An adult, wow. No longer a child.”
“And you’re nearly finished high school,” August remarks. “What do you think you’ll do afterward? What are your plans?”
I flutter open my eyes and look at my boyfriend. As always, he looks so goddamn handsome with the candles lighting his natural sharp features. That strong jawline. Those blue eyes. Those razor, high cheekbones. He’s staring at me in that intense way of his under his glasses, waiting for my answer.
I blush under his gaze and glance away up at the bright stars above us. They look so peaceful and bright.
I am so, so lucky.
“I actually made a wish about that very thing earlier today,” I say, “when Mom made me blow out the candles on the cake she made me.”
August raises an eyebrow. “Well, what was your wish? What do you want to happen?”
“I can’t say. Then it won’t come true, you know the rules around birthday wishes.”
“I’m sure nothing will go wrong if you tell me,” my boyfriend says slyly.
“You really want to know my deepest and most guarded wish?”
“Yes,” August replies. “I want to knoweverythingabout you, Emma.”
I take in a deep breath.
I know I can tell him anything. I know I can trust him.
“I want to perform the ballet Swan Lake,” I reply quietly. “Professionally. On stage in front of an audience. That will make me more happy and more fulfilled than anything else can. It might not sound much, but I’ve kept that wish only to myself. You’re the first person I’ve ever told.”
August reaches out with his hand, beckoning me to hold him. I do. He slowly, and tenderly, strokes the side of my finger with his thumb. It’s a careful and deliberate movement, and it sends me wild in ways I can’t control.
His blue eyes penetrate mine as he touches me.
I could just... melt.
“I believe you will do exactly that,” he whispers. “I can picture you doing that so clearly, Emma. I can see you performing Swan Lake.”
“You think so?”
I’m so hesitant and vulnerable and unconfident.
“Iknowso,” August replies.
His composed, steady, deep voice does something to me. He makes me, for the first time, trulybelievethat I can achieve my dreams. Before, it was just a fantasy, but now I can see that I can actually freaking do this.
And all because of my boyfriend sitting opposite me.
I stare at him for a very long time, not saying a word. We exist in a comfortable space – silent and at peace. I have never felt this way around anyone else. Ever. August Penmayne makes me feel safe, and respected, and listened to. It’s been rare that anyone else has ever treated me like that before. I’m the daughter of a maid and exist at the bottom of the ladder, but here’s this handsome prince who seems like he’s fallen in love with that girl.
August Penmayne actually loves me. If all this today isn’t proof enough of it all, then what would be?
I take in another deep breath and look at him straight in his beautiful eyes.
“I want you to take me to the bedroom,” I whisper across the table.
My words linger in the air between us, resonating with an unspoken weight. It’s an invitation. We both know what that offer means, and how important it is to me.
