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Chapter 35

The first morning in my new apartment was great. At least until I realized there was no coffee maker, which checked my mood somewhat.

Kaden had gone back home last night. It seemed right to both of us. On one hand, I wanted him to stay forever. But his recent behavior still hurt. That and our current living situation had definitely drawn a clear line in our relationship. I knew we’d make it, but we both needed time.

The doorbell rang while I was just putting on my makeup. I ran to the door but couldn’t see anyone through the peephole, so I opened it up a crack—and squealed.

On the doormat was a coffee maker. And not just any machine. It was Kaden’s.

Next to it was a blue box. I opened it and couldn’t suppress a joyful cry when I saw all the little bottles of coffee creamer in the most varied flavors, from mint to vanilla to coconut.

I gathered the coffee maker and box in my arms and practically embraced them. Once in the kitchen, I set up the machine and was soon stirring two different creamers into the freshly brewed coffee in one of my brand-new cups. I took a selfie, closing my eyes in pleasure, and sent it with a smiley face to Kaden.

His answer came in less than a minute:

Which flavor?

I smiled and sipped my coffee while typing the answer with one hand.

Coconut and caramel.

Could you be any more disgusting?

The broad grin on my face would probably be stuck there all day.

The second surprise was waiting at my car. Temperatures had dipped below freezing in the last few days, which meant I’d have to scrape frost off the windshield. But no: Someone had done it for me! I pulled my scarf off my face and stared at the car, confused. It took a moment for me to realize it must have been Kaden. And then I saw a square package, wrapped in a crimson bow, sitting on the trunk.

Sitting inside the car, I untied the lopsided ribbon and tore the paper off. The box was full of CDs. Loads of them. I recognized them all from Kaden’s car. He told me that he would never lend them to anyone! I held each disc up: some were bands that Kaden had introduced to me and that I now loved; and others were bands we’d both already been fans of for ages.

I swallowed hard. Each CD had a song or two that connected Kaden and me. When I got to the end of the stack, I found a piece of paper where these specific songs were listed. But he’d added a few more titles to the end of the list—so I decided to play them as I drove to class.

It turned out not to be such a good idea. By the time I pulled into the parking lot, I was ready to cry.

The lyrics were so beautiful and moving that I wanted to turn right around and drive to Kaden. Or should I write him? After all, we were… Well, we hadn’t talked about what we were. I should have felt upset and insecure about being in limbo like this, but weirdly enough I’d never felt so calm and confident. Kaden made me feel complete. And the songs he’d added to his list made me believe that he felt the same about me.

Dawn and Scott joined me for lunch, and I told them about Kaden’s visit the night before without divulging the details of his story. I also told them about his intention to make up for how he’d treated me.

“Hm,” Scott mused, when I was done.

“It seems incredibly romantic and somehow not like Kaden,” mused Dawn. She seemed to have problems reconciling the Kaden I was describing with the Kaden she knew.

“He gave me his coffee maker. I found it at my doorstep this morning. And he scraped all the ice off my windshield. And left his CDs on the trunk. Gift wrapped. With a bow,” the words bubbled out of me.

Dawn rested her chin in her hand. “So beautiful,” she sighed. “Just like in a movie.”

“I don’t think you should soften up just yet, Allie,” Scott warned, waving his fork in front of my nose. “If Micah had pulled that kind of shit, he’d have to deliver much more than music and coffee.”

Well, that put a damper on my euphoria. If you put it that way, Kaden’s gestures weren’t really that special any more.

A tickling sensation feathered along my back, just as Dawn said: “Don’t turn around, Allie.”

Two hands lay on my shoulders, and I froze. Leaning back, I looked up—at Kaden’s amused expression.

“I hear you’re blabbering again,” he said with a smile.

“What are you doing here? Don’t you have communication sciences now?” I asked, and realized I must sound like a stalker. Or a controlling girlfriend. Or ex-girlfriend. Or however he saw me now.

Kaden rubbed his neck. “I had an appointment with my tattoo artist.”