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Harper finished tying the blue ribbon around Spencer's present, smiling at her handiwork. She was waiting nervously for him to arrive at her apartment. She didn't know if she should feel embarrassed about last night, how she had grabbed his wrist, but she didn't. She just wanted to see him again.
She had tied her hair back with the same blue ribbon, and wandered around her apartment, lighting her multiple candles. They always made her feel more relaxed.
A gentle breeze flows through the open window, carrying the faint sound of music playing outside. It's the best place for her to be, she felt so cozy and calm here.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a gentle knock on the door which she opened to reveal Spencer, carrying two coffees.
Harper smiled, beckoning him and taking her long black out of his hands. She already knew he had ordered the right drink.
"Hi birthday boy."
He laughed, looking at his feet. "You didn't have to do anything. I have never really celebrated my birthday."
Harper frowned at his nonchalance, "Wow, that's very 'main character in a novel' of you."
Spencer laughed, also frowning. "I think we read different novels."
She rolled her eyes, grabbing his wrist and leading him in the living room to sit, before running into her bedroom to grab his present.
As they settle on the couch, Harper feigns nonchalance, holding the gift behind her back. "Okay, so I may have gone a little overboard with your birthday present," she says, a playful smile dancing on her lips.
Spencer raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "Overboard? Is it a boat?"
"Not quite," she laughs, pulling out the vintage signed copy of Mother Night. "I thought you'd be happy."
His eyes widen as he takes the book from her, glancing at the signature and the cover. "Wow, Harper... This is amazing! I can't believe you found a signed copy. Where did you even find this?"
"Let's just say it took some serious sleuthing. I may or may not have participated in a bidding war with some very passionate collectors," she replies, unable to suppress her laughter. "I thought I was going to have to sell a kidney or something."
Spencer chuckles, his expression turning serious as he flips through the pages, marvelling at her find.
"This is incredible. Thank you. Really. You didn't have to go through all that trouble for me."
