Page 132 of June

Caroline laughed and leaned in.

“I didn’t know I needed this. Thank you.”

“I wanted you to celebrate,” Enid said. “Your birth is absolutely worth a celebration.”

“Want to know what else I’m celebrating now?” Caroline asked as Enid’s arm wrapped around her shoulders.

“What?”

“Jodie and I got the apartment we really wanted. Jodie got the email a few minutes ago that our application was accepted.”

“Yeah? That’s great, babe. When do you move in?”

“Technically, next month. They can only hold it for a certain number of days before we have to start paying rent, but my parents said it was okay. My dad can cancel the meal plan part ofthe room and board, at least, and it will give us time to move out of the dorm slowly and buy some furniture and stuff.”

“So, you’ll have your own room?” Enid asked with a lifted eyebrow.

“I will.” Caroline nodded.

“Well, that’s great news.”

“Not really, because I don’t have my own room tonight, but yours will have to do. Will your parents leave us alone? I just want you for the rest of the night. I promise, I’ll be quiet.” Caroline rested her head on Enid’s shoulder.

Enid smiled and kissed the top of her head.

“Are you ready now? We can go whenever. Jodie and Viv just left, didn’t they?”

“They pretended like they were going to study. I mean, who would actually believe that? The only problem is that I told them they could have the dorm for the night. I also said that I needed to pick up some stuff because I didn’t pack a bag for your place, so if we go back there, I need to knock and cover my eyes just in case.”

Enid laughed and asked, “Ready? I have another surprise for you.”

“Another?” Caroline lifted her head to look at her.

“I haven’t given you your gift yet.”

“The party is my gift, Enid.”

“No, the party is your party.” Enid kissed her on the top of the head and stood up. “Come on. I told everyone we’d be heading out early.”

Caroline stood up and asked, “What did you do?”

Enid laughed and took Caroline’s hand. Then, they said their goodbyes quickly because Enid was rushing them a bit, looking and sounding excited as they got back in her car.

“Can we stop by the dorm first? I want to get my bag while they’re in between rounds.”

“You won’t need it,” she replied.

“I won’t need an overnight bag? Babe, I want to brush my teeth tomorrow morning, and I don’t think we’re at the borrow-your-toothbrush stage.”

Enid laughed and pulled them into the parking garage. She took the ticket and found an empty spot on the second floor.

“Why are we here?” Caroline asked her, looking out the windows, trying to figure out where they were.

“It’s not too fancy, I know, but I could afford it.”

“What’s not fancy?”

“I got the discount on the room from Jill, who works with them.”

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