Page 4 of Strictly Yours

“Thank you,” I say with a sigh as I stare at it. “Very thoughtful.”

“Do you have birthday plans tonight?”

“Birthday plans?”

“Yeah,” she says with a shrug. “Maybe meeting your family for dinner or hooking up with some friends for drinks?”

My jaw clenches. “Not this year.”

“Oh,” she says when she realizes how pathetic I am.

“I think there’s a box of birthday candles in the break room,” she says, glancing over her shoulder. “I can run over and get them if you want to blow out some candles.”

“That’s not necessary,” I say as I close the box. “Get home safely.”

I turn back to the computer screen and she gets the point.

“You too,” she whispers under her breath as she ducks out.

I hear her heels clip-clopping down the hall and I stare at my screen until the elevator arrives and takes her away.

When I’m finally alone, I lean back in my chair, grab the box and open it.

It’s a nice thought, but I don’t eat sugar.

Fine, maybe one bite since it’s my birthday. I take a small nibble and then with a sigh, I toss the box into the garbage can, turn back to the reports, and get back to work.

Happy birthday to me.

CHAPTER THREE

Amber

“Good luck with the baby,” I say as I get out of my Uber in front of Willow’s office building. “I’m sure it’s gonna go great. Don’t forget to send me those pictures!”

“I will!” Amir says, smiling widely as he pulls my suitcase out of his trunk. “And have fun in New York. Remember, anything can happen in The City That Never Sleeps!”

“You think?” I say, getting shivers from all of the exciting possibilities.

“Iknow,” he says as he hands me my luggage. “Good things are in your future, Amber, I can feel it.”

I know it’s probably uncommon to hug your Uber driver at the end of a trip, but me and Amir have been through a lot in the past hour long car ride. He told me all about his pregnant wife and how excited he was for the baby to come along. How could I not hug the guy?

“Bye, Amir,” I say as I open my arms. “It was nice meeting you.”

“The pleasure was all mine,” he says as he gives me a warm hug. “And don’t forget to leave a review.”

“Five stars,” I promise as he gets back into the car.

We give each other one last wave as he drives away. I watch him merge into traffic and then look around with a deep breath, wondering what this city has in store for me.

Right now, I think as I turn and look up at the towering skyscraper in front of me,what’s in store for me is a long ass elevator ride.

This is probably the tallest building I’ve ever seen up close. I crane my head all the way back and I still can’t see the top.

I look at the paper in my hand and grin.Strickland Innovations Group. 480 Eastmont Center, Floor 47.

It’s time to see where my sister works.

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