The rest of the week flew by in a blur. Between dealing with patients and charting, I didn't get a chance to unwind.
I slowly opened my eyes and reached for my phone on the nightstand. The morning rays were filtering through the sheer curtains.
A loud gasp escaped my mouth when I saw the time. It read 12:01 p.m.
"Good morning, birthday girl."
I looked up and saw Harley leaning on my door frame, with his hands in his pocket, smiling.
"How long were you standing there?"
"Long enough to hear you talking in your sleep."
My face burned. I grabbed my pillow and sent it flying in his direction. I cursed under my breath when he dodged it.
"Hurry up and get ready, we have a long day ahead of us," Harley said, walking away.
I rolled my eyes.
By the time I finished getting ready, Harley was already waiting downstairs.
He glanced up the moment I stepped into view, his eyes lingering for just a second longer than usual.
"You took your time," he said.
I grabbed my jacket from the rack. "Some of us don't wake up looking perfect."
Harley smirked. "Debatable."
I rolled my eyes as we stepped outside.
A crisp breeze brushed against my skin, carrying the faint scent of fallen leaves.
Autumn had fully settled in.
Rows of trees lining the driveway were painted in shades of orange, red, and gold, their leaves drifting lazily to the ground.
I paused for a moment, taking it all in.
"It's pretty," I murmured.
Harley opened the car door for me. "You haven't seen anything yet."
The drive was quieter than usual, but not in an awkward way.
Soft music played in the background as the city slowly gave way to open roads lined with trees glowing in warm autumn colours.
When the car finally came to a stop, I looked out the window.
A wide park stretched before us, covered in fallen leaves that crunched underfoot as people walked by.
A small lake reflected the golden trees surrounding it, the surface rippling gently in the breeze.
My eyes lit up.
"Harley…"
He walked around the car and opened my door. "Come on."
We walked side by side along the path, our shoulders brushing every now and then.
Each time it happened, my heart reacted like it was the first.
Children ran past us, kicking up leaves, their laughter echoing through the air. I smiled without realizing it.
"You like it?" Harley asked.
"I love it," I admitted.
A leaf drifted down and caught in my hair. Before I could reach for it, Harley stepped closer.
"Hold still."
His fingers brushed against my hair as he carefully removed the leaf.
My breath hitched. For a moment, neither of us moved. We were standing too close. Close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating off him.
My eyes lifted to meet his. The world around us seemed to fade.
"Harley—"
A loud shout from somewhere nearby snapped me out of it.
I quickly stepped back, clearing my throat.
"Thanks," I said, looking away.
Harley didn't say anything for a moment. Then he exhaled softly. "Yeah."
We continued walking, slower this time. Trying to make small talk. Neither of us mentioned what almost happened.
A little while later, we stopped near the lake.
Harley reached into his coat pocket and pulled something out. "I got you something."
I blinked. "You didn't have to—"
"Just take it," he said.
I hesitated before reaching for it. It was a small box. My heart started beating faster as I opened it.
Inside was a delicate necklace, simple but elegant.
"It reminded me of you," Harley said quietly.
I looked up at him.
"Thank you," I said softly.
He stepped closer and gently took it from my hand. "Turn around."
I did.
My breath caught as his fingers brushed the back of my neck while fastening the clasp.
The touch lingered for a second longer than necessary.
When I turned back around, he was already looking at me.
"Happy birthday, Sophie."
My chest tightened. "Thank you… Harley."
My eyes widened when Harley brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. Warmth spread in my chest when his thumb traced my lips slowly. My heart refused to calm down.
"Mommy, why is that mister touching that lady's lips?"
"They are in love, sweetie."
Harley and I snapped out of our trance and looked in the direction the voice came from and saw a little boy holding his mother's hand, pointing at us.
"Look, Mommy," the little boy said, innocently. "Their faces are red like an apple."
Harley looked away while clearing his throat. "Let's go."
Why did it feel like we almost crossed a line we couldn't come back from?
I followed after him towards the parking lot. We got into the vehicle and drove off in the direction of our home.
The roads were empty, which was strange for a Saturday evening. I looked at Harley. "Where are we going next?"
"Do you trust me?" he asked.
I raised an eyebrow. "Why is everyone acting so strange lately? What are you guys hiding from me?"
"…"
"Really? You are going to ignore me now."
Harley exhaled. "If you can't figure it out, then wait and see."
I rolled my eyes at him. "Why can't you just tell me?"
"We're here," Harley said as he drove into the underground parking.
He turned off the engine and then looked at me. "I need to put a blindfold on you."
"Not until you tell me what's going on."
"Sophie," Harley said in a low voice. "Turn around and let me put the blindfold on."
I groaned softly before turning my back toward him. Everything went dark when he put the blindfold on.
The next thing I felt was Harley's hand finding mine as he opened the passenger door and helped me out of the vehicle.
The crisp air of the underground parking filled my nostrils as I followed Harley's guidance into the mansion.
It's amazing how different it feels when your sight is obscured. I have walked every inch of this mansion and still I can't figure out where he's taking me.
I realized I was back outside when the evening air brushed against my skin. "Can I take the blindfold off now?"
"Yes."
When I removed my blindfold, I saw all of our friends standing together before me, shouting happy birthday excitedly.