FORTY-THREE

Somehow, I'd forgotten my own birthday which wasn't all that surprising because I always did. Celeste was the only person who always remembered but this year, she had too much burdening her.

"Oh – I didn't know you knew," I laughed, touching the chain around my neck. "Thank you." Turning to him, I rose to my tiptoes. Supported by my hands on his shoulders, I placed a kiss on his chin.

"We have a dinner reservation for seven." He offered me his open palm and I stared at it in confusion.

"So – uh why am I here so early then? You said to come with an appetite." He dropped his hand, sticking them into his pockets.

"Let's go." He grabbed his key and proceeded to walk out the door.

"Oh okay." It was only when we got to the elevator that it occurred to me that he may have wanted me to take his hand when he stretched it out to me.

Ah.

We rode the elevator down in silence. When we walked out, people automatically stepped out of our way. I wanted to take his hand then but I didn't know how to b