“Why didn't you say something earlier?”
“Because watching you not recognize me was hilarious.” He takes a sip of his drink. “You looking for someone?”
“No,” I lie.
“Right. She here yet?”
“Nope.”
I move through the crowd, hyperaware of every woman in the room. There is a woman with blond hair visible beneath an elaborate mask. My heart jumps. I move closer, navigating around a medieval knight who nearly collides with me.
“Sorry, man,” the knight says, his voice muffled by his helmet.
“No problem.” I sidestep him and continue toward the woman.
But when I get close enough to see her eyes, my stomach sinks. It’s not Avery. Not even close.
I retreat awkwardly, pretending I was heading toward the balcony door all along.
This is torture.
I've been here maybe twenty minutes and I'm already going insane. Where is she? Did she change her mind? Did she decide this was too risky?
A woman laughs somewhere to my left and my head snaps toward the sound. For a second, I think it's Avery's laugh. I push through the crowd, past a hippie in a long wig and sunglasses.
But when I reach her, it's not Avery. Just another stranger in a costume, laughing at something a friend said.
Disappointment crashes through me.
I pull out my phone, checking for messages. Nothing. The timestamp shows 6:47 PM. She said she'd be here.
Maybe I should text her. Just a quick “Where are you?” or “Are you coming?”
But that seems desperate. Everything I'm trying not to be after last night.
I shove my phone back in my pocket and position myself near the entrance where I have a clear view of the door. A woman in what looks like a Renaissance gown catches my eye, except she’s not my woman.
I'm losing my mind.
The music dims suddenly, and a woman in an elaborate Catwoman costume steps to the center of the room. It takes me a second to realize it's Harper. Her voice carries across the space above the chatter of conversation.
“Hi everyone. Thank you so much for being here tonight.” She beams before continuing. “Cole will be arriving in about tenminutes, so here's the plan. When I give the signal, everyone needs to stay quiet. We'll dim the lights. When he walks in, we all yell ‘Happy birthday.’ Got it?”
Enthusiastic agreement ripples through the crowd.
“After the big reveal, feel free to unmask if you want. But until then, keep the mystery alive.”
People laugh and start repositioning themselves.
Ten minutes until Cole arrives. Ten minutes and Avery still isn't here.
My chest tightens with anxiety. I check my phone again. 6:52 PM. Still nothing.
Someone mentions they hope Cole is actually surprised, that Harper's managed to keep this secret for weeks.
I don't care about any of it.
Every time the apartment door opens, my heart jumps. But it's just another guest arriving late. A couple dressed as Romeo and Juliet. Someone in a full astronaut suit who takes forever to get through the doorway.
