It seemed unreal to have him here, in my house, in my living room. I could sense him looking at me from behind, his deep stare raising goose bumps all over my body. Was my back on fire? My breath turned shaky.

"You had a festive dinner," he said, surely noticing the birthday banner and the balloons.

I turned and looked at him. "Kind of," I said embarrassed, my cheeks flushing into the brightest pink.

"I wonder why you didn't tell anyone."

"I don't know. I just ...