Page 54 of Finding My Forever

Sophia checked her phone. “Almost five-thirty.”

“We've been up here for two hours?”

She smirked. “Time flies…”

“I’m so sorry.”

“No need to apologize. We were enjoying the views, too,” Eli said it with a hint of a smile.

I narrowed my eyes at them but neither of them cracked.

“We have about two hours before our surprise, so let’s get food now.”

“Are you guys craving anything?” Eli looked between me and Sophia.

I shook my head. “Not really.”

“There’s a really good Thai place I went to last time we were here. Does that work?” Sophia asked.

I pulled out my phone to check the menu. “What’s it called?”

“I already checked. You can have their curry or their Pad Thai.”

“Sophia, you are too good to me. Thanks.”

Most of my friends back home would pick someplace where the only option I had was a salad. I’d grown used to it, so it wasn’t that bad, but Sophia was shocking me. She was spoiling me. Until I realized that maybe she wasn’t. Maybe that’s what a good friend would do.

“Let’s go.”

Eli already called in to make reservations, so we headed up to the Upper East Side. I was blown away by how well planned this day was. If this was what dating in college was like, I couldn’t wait to graduate.

We were tucked into a back corner of a dimly lit dining room enjoying our food when Eli cleared his throat.

He held up his glass and waited for our attention to be on him, which of course it already was.

“May every chance encounter lead to beautiful friendships. May we always hold on to the memories made.” He paused dramatically before raising his water glass higher, and I had to bit my lip to keep from giggling. “To new experiences with beautiful people.”

Sophia was beaming when she raised her glass. “Cheers!”

Liam and I followed before I couldn’t hold it in any longer. Once I started laughing the others joined.

“That was beautiful, thank you.” I was still giggling. “I’ve just never been a part of a toast that wasn’t at a wedding.”

Eli shrugged, still smiling. “It felt right.”

“It was perfect.” Sophia nudged him. “What are the odds of us running into each other and hitting it off like we all have?”

“Slim to less than none.” Liam cut in on their conversation.

“We got lucky.”

“All because April couldn’t let you walk away.” Sophia winked at Liam and I instantly filled with dread, waiting for him to ask why.

His eyes met mine, and I smiled shyly. “I’m grateful she didn’t.”

“What was it, April? His eyes, his hair, his bod, or was it his overall essence?” Eli was trying to keep a straight face but failed.

Was there a single thing? Obviously, I was attracted to him from the moment I saw him, but I saw the necklace just a second later. “It was a mixture of things,” I answered honestly and hoped there wouldn’t be more follow-up.