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“I’m not the best artist. I know. I have other things planned today also, so if you don’t like—”
“I love it,” I said, taking the paper gently from him. “Though I feel as if I look much prettier in this drawing than I did that day in real life...with all my...yelling.”
“What are you talking about? I don’t even think I caught half of how beautiful you looked,” he whispered, and when I looked into his eyes, I couldn’t find any words to say. I felt all bubbly and weird.
“Thanks,” I muttered quickly and also reached for his cupcake. “Thanks for this, too.”
“Wait for it,” he said, pulling out a lighter from his pocket and setting fire to the top of it. “Now, make a wish.”
I giggled and blew out the candle, but it lit back up again. I glared at him, and he just grinned. “A trick candle?”
“I like to think of it as a many-wish candle.” He laughed.
I blew again, and it came back, so I blew once more, and each time he laughed. It felt more like a gift for him than me, but I didn’t stop trying—I liked his laugh. Finally, after what felt like the hundredth time, the candle finally went out and stayed out.
“Bravo.”
“You’re ridiculous.” I meant it, but I couldn’t help but smile.
“Oh, this is just the beginning.” He kissed the side of my cheek. “Get ready. We are going out.”
“Out? Out where? Iskandar is letting us out again?”
He laughed and nodded. “It’s a special occasion, and I should at least do one princely thing today of all days.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’ll wait for you downstairs,” he said instead, getting up to leave, but I got up too, holding on to my cupcake.
“But...but how do I get ready?”
“How?”
“I mean, what am I supposed to wear? Where are we going?” I couldn’t help but get excited as I followed him into the hall.
“Oh, just wear something comfortable and warm.”
That was not helpful. I looked downstairs to see if Iskandar or Wolfgang would give me any hint, but they weren’t there, which meant he’d sent them somewhere.
“Go on,” he said, waving me to my room with a smile on his face. “You aren’t going to figure it out.”
“Give me a hint.”
“Odette.”
“Fine.” I walked across the hall and to my room, shooting him a glance again, and he just kept watching me. Shaking my head, I entered only to rest against the door. It was the first thing in the morning. There was no reason for my heart to be racing as it was.
“Get yourself together, Odette,” I muttered, pushing myself off the wall and toward my closet only for my cell phone to vibrate beside my bed. I wasn’t sure how it had gotten there, but there it was charging, and on the screen was a text message from my mother, which read, Happy birthday, my dearest and most special stubborn princess. Love you, Mom.
I love you, too.
Good. So, try to have fun today and send me pictures!
So Gale had told her what was happening? Exactly how close were those two? I texted for her to give me a hint, but she just stopped replying.
I did not like surprises!
That was why it took me three outfit changes, two hairstyle changes, and a broken toenail to finally put myself together—all so I could wear jeans, a fluffy sweater, and my hair in a ponytail. And even then, I wasn’t really sure, but I also didn’t want to keep him waiting any longer. When I stepped out of the room, Gale was waiting by the stairs, thankfully, dressed in jeans and a sweater, too.
