55

I gazed at my friend, my heart full. I squeezed Tavi’s hand, trying to convey how much I appreciated her changing the subject to safer territory. She squeezed back and bumped me lightly with her shoulder.

“Oh, yeah!” Preston said. His head was shaved but for a Mohawk of black hair. “Was there anything you wanted us to bring you back for your birthday?”

“I’d love a new scarf,” she said. “Maybe something red this time?”

“Sure. What about you, Bryn?”

I jumped as the attention of the table returned to me. “M-me?” I stammered. “Oh, I couldn’t ask you to bring me anything. I don’t have a way to pay you back, and—”

Preston shook his head. “Don’t worry about that. Think of it like a gift.”

“Okay…” I blushed, racking my brain for something I would like. “A book.”

“Yeah? What kind?”

“I’d love a romance, or maybe a fantasy. Anything new and with an exciting cover.”

“Sure.” Preston grinned at me. “We’ll add it to the list.”

The conversation resumed, and I breathed out the tension that collected b