The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 429

She stood under the sycamore tree just as a yellow ginkgo leaf landed on her shoulder. She picked it up, twirling it awkwardly between her fingers with a sheepish laugh.

"I completely forgot."

"I'd never forget."

Josh took the canvas tote from her hands, carrying it naturally as his voice retained its usual gentle cadence. Yet, there was an undisguised certainty in his tone. "When we were kids, I used to go to your house for cake every year. It was what I looked forward to all year long."

"Let's go. I made a reservation. This year, I'm buying you the cake."

Sloane looked at him. He had her faded canvas tote draped over his arm, the casual bag completely clashing with his sharp, formal suit.

But he didn't care in the slightest. He tilted his head toward her, his eyes holding the same clean, devoted light they had held for over a decade.

That look made it impossible for her to refuse.

"...Alright."

Josh took her to an upscale western restaurant hidden deep within the historic district.

Sloane had studied at Riverdale University for three years and never knew such a place existed down this sycamore-lined alley.

Pushing open the heavy oak doors, the lighting inside was soft and dim. Every table, draped in crisp white linen, featured a small candlestick with a flame dancing quietly inside a glass shade.

The walls were adorned with black-and-white European street photography. In the corner, a pianist in a long black dress was playing Chopin's Nocturne in E-flat Major on a grand piano.

The air smelled of butter-seared steak and a subtle, pervasive woody fragrance. The diners kept their voices low, the only prominent sound being the sharp clink of silverware against porcelain.

While cutting her steak, Sloane glanced across the table. Josh had taken off his suit jacket, draping it over his chair, and rolled up his shirt sleeves to his forearms. He was intently focused on cutting the steak on his own plate.

Once finished, he slid his fully cut portion in front of her and seamlessly took her uncut plate. He did the entire swap without saying a word, as naturally as if he had done it a thousand times.

Halfway through the meal, the waiter brought out the birthday cake.

It was a delicate, six-inch cake. The pristine white frosting was bordered with fresh strawberries, and a single, elegant gold candle sat in the center.

The candlelight flickered between them, reflecting brightly in Josh's already tender eyes.

"Happy birthday, Sloane."