“What’s this?”

“Your birthday present.”

“It’s my birthday?”

“It’s the ninth, isn’t it?” I said with a mischievous grin. “I wanted to surprise you.”

“Then I guess it is,” he said. He kissed my cheek, and then pulled on the ribbon. “A book?” He thumbed through the pages. “A blank book?”

“A journal. You were down to the pages of yours, and I thought it would be a good time to start a new one.”

Jared’s eyes turned soft, and he took me into his arms. “It is the perfect time.”

Chad rolled his eyes, and Beth sighed. “I remember that,” she said, her thoughts lost in the sweet, mysterious first days of my relationship with Jared.

“Come on, Ryel. You’re making me look bad.”

We walked across campus, taking in the atmosphere. Electricity seemed to be in the air, along with the smells of summer. The chatter was louder than was normal; the young faces of students more animated. They would all embark on vacations, travel home, or spend their summer break on the beach or by the pool. I would most likely fill my summer trying to land punches on brother-in-law, or watching Jared read over the Naissance de Demoniac. The beach sounded much better.

Jared stopped in his tracks.

“Oh, no,” Beth breathed, looking up at the building that was once Blaze.

I glanced at her, and then followed her gaze. “Shanghai? I thought you said you wanted to go to Blaze?”

Clearly disturbed, Jared let go of my hand. “Did you know about this?” Jared asked Chad.

“No,” Chad said, shaking his head. “But I’d never eaten at Blaze, either.”

I looked around, and realized we were standing in front of what used to be Blaze. The location of our first date was gone, replaced by sushi takeout. My jaw dropped.

“Seriously?” I said to no one in particular.

Beth’s mouth pulled to one side. “I was looking forward to their sweet potato fries.”

I felt my eyes bulge. “Jared!”

Chad huffed. “They still have one on the east side. On Hope Street, I think.”

“I can’t believe this. I just can’t believe they….” My voice trailed off, too upset to finish.

Beth rubbed my shoulder. “That has to be upsetting. I’m sorry, honey.”

Chad grabbed Beth’s hand and stomped up the stairs. “This is not a tragedy. It spoils the sentimentality, yes, but it’s still the same building. Make new memories. I’m hungry.”

Jared pulled me to his side. “It’s bothersome, but Chad’s right. We can’t do anything about it. If we are in the mood for sweet potato fries, we can go to the east side.”

I nodded. “They have them at Cuban Revolution downtown, too.” Jared nodded, and then led me up the stairs. I trudged behind him, unwilling to let go of my disappointment.