I raised an eyebrow.
“Why would I?”
He studied my face.
For one terrifying second, I thought he’d figured me out.
Then he smiled.
“I don’t know. You look suspicious.”
“I’m offended.”
“You should be.”
He kissed me again.
“Love you.”
“Love you too.”
He walked out.
I waited until the front door closed.
Then I smiled.
My plan was simple.
I would show up at the station during a quiet part of the day.
I’d surprise him.
His crew would laugh.
Someone would probably make a terrible joke.
Tyler would complain.
And then we’d eat cake.
That was it.
Nothing complicated.
Nothing dangerous.
Nothing that could possibly change my life.
At least, that’s what I believed when I left the house.
The bakery employee handed me the cake box carefully.
“Birthday?”
“My husband’s.”
“Big plans?”
I glanced at the balloons filling half my back seat.
“Hopefully.”
She laughed.
“Happy birthday to him.”
I thanked her and drove away.
The balloons kept floating into my rearview mirror.
At one point, a silver one drifted forward and brushed my cheek.
I pushed it away.
“You’re going to ruin the surprise before I even get there.”
I laughed to myself.
Everything felt normal.
