"I'm getting married next week. I just haven't had the chance to tell everyone yet."

Dead silence.

Alfred's hand froze mid-air. His head snapped toward me.

For the rest of the evening, his body stayed coiled tight, his gaze drifting to me again and again when he thought I wouldn't notice.

I laughed and chatted with other classmates like nothing had happened. When the reunion finally wound down and I stepped outside to call a cab—

A hand shot out and pulled me into the shadows.

I opened my mouth to scream, but then I caught it: that familiar scent of pine.

Alfred.

"Well, well. Our little Maria's learned how to lie."

His gaze swept over me, half-scrutinizing, half-amused.

"What, just because I haven't come to see you for a few days?"

"Is that really worth throwing a tantrum? Making up some story about marrying someone else, right to my face?"

He stepped closer, his voice dropping. "Or is this your way of telling me you want us to get married?"

So he didn't believe a word of it. He thought I was simply bluffing to get his attention.

I didn't bother explaining.

I lowered my head, reached into my bag, and pulled out a small gift box, no bigger than my palm. I held it out to him.

"I've been meaning to give you this."

"Consider it a belated birthday present. For your twenty-seventh."

"Just promise me you won't open it for three days."

Alfred studied the box for a moment, then let out a soft laugh and took it, tucking it into the inside pocket of his suit jacket.

"Alright."

He glanced past me toward the entrance, where a light rain had begun to fall. "Looks like everyone's already left. Want me to drive you home? Doesn't seem like the easiest place to catch a cab."

I tilted my head slightly, looking past his shoulder.

Maud was still standing a short distance away, umbrella in hand, apparently unable to flag down a ride.

I shook my head. "No, it's fine. My apartment isn't far. You should probably give Maud a ride first."

Alfred seemed pleased by my consideration. His expression softened noticeably, and he reached over and ruffled my hair.

"Good girl. I'll make it up to you next time."

Then he turned and walked away. He even opened the car door for Maud.

I watched the car pull out and disappear down the rain-slicked street, its taillights shrinking to nothing.

Only then did I take a deep breath and plunge into the rain.