Chapter 36. The Gift

Camila’s phone buzzed insistently against the mahogany coffee table, the vibrations echoing through the quiet of her apartment. Her pulse quickened as she snatched it up, fingers deftly unlocking the device. A message from him blinked onto the screen, simple but charged with promise.

“Hey, Camila,” the text began, “I’ve got something special for you. Can’t wait for you to have it.”

Her thumbs flew over the keyboard, a mix of anticipation and playful sass guiding her fingers. “A surprise, huh? Color me intrigued. Where do I sign up?”

“Unfortunately, I can’t make it in person. But trust me, it’ll be worth your while.” The text seemed almost apologetic, hesitant, as if he were aware that her expectations were high.

A small frown tugged at the corners of her mouth. Her excitement wavered at the thought of him being absent, her min