Chapter 60 CHAPTER SIXTY

Chapter 60 CHAPTER SIXTY
 EVA’S POV
 “Oh my God, you look absolutely stunning in that dress.”
 I smiled as Lily took another picture of me, Ryan agreeing and helping with all the angles that could make the pictures come out better right by her side.
The dress really did look better than I'd imagined.
It was a soft yellow gown Mum had bought for me during one of her work trips almost a year ago. She'd insisted the colour reminded her of me and despite how much I'd loved it then, I'd never found an occasion special enough to wear it.
Until now.
The thin straps rested comfortably on my shoulders while the fabric flowed all the way to my ankles, swaying gently every time I shifted my weight. Lily had pinned my hair into a neat bun and somehow managed to convince me to wear a little more makeup than I usually would.
 “These pictures look amazing,” she went on. “I can barely take my eyes off you.”
 “Honestly,” Ryan added. “Where’s Aaron? I bet he won’t be able to think straight tonight.”
 “Okay you both can tone it down now,” I blushed at their words, glancing at my phone. “He said he’ll be there in five minutes.”
 “Great cause I’m starving already,” Lily groaned softly. “Can you smell the food? This place is going to be amazing, I’m sure.”
 We'd chosen a restaurant inside one of the nicest hotels in town, only about fifteen minutes away from home. The restaurant occupied the third floor, its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the evening lights stretching across the city.
Soft piano music drifted through the room while warm golden lights reflected off polished marble floors. Every table was dressed in crisp white linen, small candles flickering gently between carefully arranged flowers.
 Five minutes were yet to go by when the door to the restaurant swung open. I raised my head immediately spotting Aaron as he walked in.
"He's here."
Aaron smiled the moment our eyes met.
He walked towards us with the same easy confidence he always seemed to carry, somehow making even the simple cream-coloured shirt and black trousers he wore look effortlessly nice.
Then my eyes drifted back to my own dress.
Yellow. Cream.
Not exactly matching but close enough to make my cheeks warm.
 “Hey,” he took my hand and gently placed a kiss on it before taking the seat next to mine. “You look beautiful. Hope I’m on time?”
 “Thank you,” I smiled softly, Lily and Ryan exchanging knowingly. “Yeah, you’re just on time.”
 “Hi, guys,” he greeted Lily and Ryan as he took his seat, the two of them full of smiles. “Nice to see you again.”
 “Same here.”
 “Yeah, it’s really nice.”
 With everyone present, the waiter finally arrived and took our orders. Everything on the menu looked mouthwatering and after numerous failed attempts to pronounce a couple of French dishes, we settled for the Italian ones.
 The food came faster than we expected and one bite each was all it took for us all to marvel at the dishes. The signature dishes were just as the reviews said and
 Desert was next and the moment we placed our orders, Lily and Ryan pulled out the colored bags from earlier.
 “Time to give you your gift,” Lily announced. “Properly this time. Ryan you go first.”
 He didn’t object, handing over the bag to me. with fake drumrolls, I opened it, laughing as I pulled out a white fluffy scarf.
 “I genuinely didn’t know what to get you,” he raised his hands. “But hey, you’ve got to love it. It’ll keep you warm during winter.”
 “It will,” I actually loved it. “Thank you.”
 “My turn.”
 I opened Lily’s bag and inside was a small box. Excitedly, I opened it to take out a necklace with a cute rose pendant.
 “Oh my God, this is so pretty,” I gushed. “Thank you, Lily.”
 “Yeah, you’re welcome.”
 “I almost didn’t get you a gift,” Aaron spoke up next. “So if you don’t like it, please don’t tell me. It was really last minute.”
  We laughed as he pulled out a box, the features looking just as similar to Lily’s.
 “Don’t tell me you got her the same present as I did.”
 “Thankfully, no,” he shook his head, flipping it open to take out a silver bracelet. “But they could pass as a pair.”
 We all gushed at the present as I stretched my arms for him to wrap it around my wrist. The bracelet was really pretty with glistening crystals wrapped around it.
 Aaron gently lifted my wrist before carefully fastening the bracelet around it.
His fingers barely brushed against my skin, yet somehow I still found myself watching the way the tiny silver clasp clicked into place.
"There."
I turned my wrist slowly beneath the lights. Tiny crystals caught the glow from the chandelier overhead, scattering little flashes of light every time I moved.
"It looks perfect on you," Lily smiled.
"It really does," Ryan agreed.
I couldn't stop smiling. "You really didn't have to."
“I’m glad you like it,” he took my hands and kissed it again. “Though I’m not sure you’re only pretending to like it to be polite.”
 “Trust me, I’m not. I—”
 “Save the romance for later, desert is here!”
All four of us turned together as the waiter approached, carefully balancing a trolley filled with desserts that somehow looked even prettier than the main course.
Lily actually clapped and Ryan looked just as close to doing the same.
While everyone admired the cakes, I reached for my phone almost absentmindedly. 11:45 PM.
The screen remained exactly the same. No missed calls. No new messages.
Peter still hadn't called like he'd promised, though I couldn't really blame him. Hockey camp was probably exhausting enough without remembering to check the time every few hours.
 It was 11:45pm already. Peter was yet to call as he promised. And Josh was yet to wish me a happy birthday.
 I pressed my lips together, trying to ignore the thoughts. It was my first birthday since I could remember whereby he didn’t wish me. He always did it in person and even when he wasn’t around me, always sent a message.
 I couldn’t allow myself feel sad about it though. My parents had wished me, Peter had sent a message despite his tight schedule and I was now surrounded by friends who not only loved me but also showered me presents.
 If anything, it was to serve as a proof. That things that indeed changed and it was finally time for me to close that chapter and leave it in the past.