When Thorne had asked me to meet him at the small clearing near the border, I had expected it to be a meeting of some sort. I never expected to find him standing in the clearing with a romantic picnic set up. I gasped in surprise as I took it all in. Lanterns had been scattered randomly to create a soft glow that made it look magical. A large blanket had been laid out with some pillows. A basket sat in the center, and smooth jazz music played from the radio. And there he was, Thorne. Standing awkwardly in the middle of it all.
“Hey,” he said, and I ran to him. Thorne opened his arms and accepted my embrace. I kissed him deeply before I stepped back.
“You did all this?” I asked in awe.
“I had some help,” he admitted softly, and that pulled a laugh from me, sharp and uncontained. He win
