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“Shut up and hurry up to my apartment. You’ll get a thirty minute debrief before I really need to get to work.” I giggle as I make my way to my apartment Nikki hot on my heels.

* * *

It’s Friday, and tomorrow is my thirtieth birthday.

For so long I’ve put so much pressure as to where I should be in life at this age, but for some reason, I’m not feeling as stressed out about it.

It may have to do with the fact that I’ve spent the last three nights at Evan’s apartment. We’re both insanely busy, but when we finally turn in for the night, it’s nice to end the day in each other’s arms.

And in true Evan fashion, he surprised me on Wednesday with a whole new wardrobe so that I don’t have to carry an overnight bag to his place. He had Maribel pick the items for me with the measurements she took when I went gown shopping last week.

Now thehersside of his closet is lined with brand name clothes all in my size. I’m talking sweaters, jeans, leggings, work clothes, and even lingerie.

At first, I thought it was Evan’s sneaky way of trying to get me to move in with him, but then I remembered that in his world, money buys convenience, so I tried not to read too much into it.

But not everything is perfect. Although he tries to hide it, Evan has seemed more stressed than usual. It’s hard for me to gauge what his normal stress levels are, since we just started dating, but I can feel that something is keeping him up at night, other than me.

Tonight, Evan is cooking me a pre-birthday dinner, since we still can’t be seen out in public alone. Dress code is cozy attire since I plan on eating dinner on the couch while cuddled up with Evan. I’m hoping we can have some wine, and enjoy this alone time before my family inevitably does something embarrassing for my actual birthday tomorrow.

I walk out of my building and the December chill convinces me that I should probably take a cab to Evan’s place tonight. The days of leisure walks in the city are officially over.

It’s six PM on a Friday night, meaning hailing a cab is going to be a nightmare, so I decide to walk a block towards a less busy avenue to up my chances of catching one before freezing to death. I’m walking with my head down, since the wind has started to pick up, when I get the sinking feeling in my gut that I’m being watched. I immediately take in my surroundings, but don’t see anyone out of the ordinary. I start to pick up speed and turn the corner on the block I intend to hail a cab from.

I stand there with my arm in the air, and chance a glance behind me, and that’s when I see him.

The same familiar man I saw last weekend when I came back from Evan’s. He’s wearing a beanie, sunglasses and a puffy coat. The sun sets at four PM at this point so there is clearly no need for sunglasses in the middle of the evening during winter. I can now tell that he is definitely Caucasian and is trying to not be seen by me by the way he falters in his stride under my gaze.

I’m officially creeped out.

I’m luckily saved by a cab that pulls up to the curb and I immediately jump into it. When we tear away, I look back to get another glimpse of the man, but he’s gone. I slump in my seat and take a deep breath.

Why do I live in a city full of weirdos?

Evan’s apartment door opens before I make it half way up the hallway.

“There’s my birthday girl.” He smiles widely, looking as edible as ever in an emerald green Henley and gray sweatpants.

I barely make it inside before he scoops me into a hug, lifting my feet off the floor.

“How did you know I was already here,” I say as I eagerly accept all of the kisses and affection coming my way.

Evan closes the door behind us, and I hear a beeping noise. “New security system.” He points to a fancy touch screen by his front door. “I can see who’s on the street, lobby and hallway. It also has a new anti-hacking system which can’t be overridden unless it’s done manually with my thumb print.”

“Oh wow. That seems like a bit much, no?” I ask as Evan guides me into the kitchen. A bottle of red already decanted with two wine glasses waiting to be filled.

“I take every precaution possible. Especially now that you’re staying here more often. Which can I say, I’m enjoying very much.” He leans in to kiss me. I smile and watch him pour the wine into our glasses, then he hands me mine. “Happy birthday baby. To your best year yet. Welcome to your thirties.” He clinks his glass with mine and we end our cheers with another kiss.

Evan leads me out of the kitchen and that’s when I notice that the dining table is overflowing with gifts, cake and floral arrangements.

“Evan, you can’t be serious!” My eyes threaten to pop out of my eye sockets.

“Come on, let me show you what I got before you judge me as a rich prick.” He chuckles.

Once I get closer, I can tell that these gifts are more heartfelt than pretentious.

“So, in the center you can see that I had a Dominican cake ordered for you. Please don’t tell Tía Lourdes I didn’t order from her, she’d kill me.” We both laugh because this is very true. “Then I got your favorite fuzzy socks from TJ Maxx. These remind me of the ones you wore when we were at the cabin.”

“You went shopping at TJ Maxx for me?!” I can stupidly feel my heart swell at the sentiment that he took time out of his day to buy the same brand of fuzzy socks for me when he could have easily asked Maribel to send over a fancy brand.