Page 149 of Before Dawn

He smirked. “I’ve been planning something.”

My pulse jumped. “What is it?”

Mikkel leaned in, his scent—a mix of spice and warmth—sending a shiver down my spine. “I’ve hidden clues around here. Each one leads to a surprise.”

Intrigued, I grinned. “Like a scavenger hunt?”

“Something like that.” He tapped my nose. “And knowing you, I bet you’re dying to solve it.”

He wasn’t wrong.

I followed his lead, my heart racing with each clue, anticipation growing with every discovery. He used Lana Del Rey song titles—mostly from my favorite album,Born to Die—to reveal the first letter of each word. It was perfect, and I was overwhelmed in the best way.

Without You

If You Lie Down With Me

Lolita

Lucky Ones

Yayo

Off to the Races

Ultimate

Born to Die

Elements of Life

Million Dollar Man

Young and Beautiful

Gods & Monsters

Interlude

Radio

Love

Freak

Ride

In My Feelings

Endless Summer

National Anthem

Dark Paradise

By the time I pieced it together, I went still. The letters formed something I wasn’t expecting.

Will you be my girlfriend?

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