“My birthday is in November,” I say, amused. “Last November you didn’t even know that I survived the explosion, so there’s no way you could’ve gotten anything for me. And the year before, well…” I smile, remembering how much she resented me her first few months on the island.

“Right.” Nora’s gaze is unblinking. “The year before, I had other things on my mind.”

I laugh. “I’m sure. In any case, don’t worry about it. I don’t celebrate my birthday.”

“Why not?” Her eyebrows pull together in a puzzled frown. “You don’t like birthdays?”

“Not my own, no.” My parents routinely forgot it when I was a child, and I’d learned to forget it as well. “In any case, that has nothing to do with this gift. If you don’t like it, I can get you something else.”

“No.” Nora clutches the necklace possessively. “I love it.”

“Then it’s yours.” Stepping toward her, I tilt her chin up with my fingers and press a brief kiss to her lips before stepping back. “Now you should get ready. Your parents are waiting to have lunch with you.”

She blinks, staring at me. “What are we doing tonight? You told them we already have plans.”

“We do. I’m taking you to a restaurant in the city.” I pause, looking at her. “Unless you want to do something else? It’s your choice.”

“Really?” Her face lights up with excitement. “In that case, can we do something crazy?”

“Such as?”

“Can we go to a nightclub after dinner?”

My first inclination is to say no, but I bite back the words. “Why?” I ask instead.

She shrugs, looking slightly embarrassed. “I don’t know. I just think it would be fun. I haven’t been to a club since—” She falls silent, biting her lip.

“Since you met me.”

She nods, and I recall the conversation we had after lunch with her friends. There had been a certain wistfulness in Nora’s voice when she spoke of going out and having fun, a longing for things she thought she’d never experience.

“Which club do you want to go to?” I ask, unable to believe I’m even entertaining the idea.

Nora’s eyes brighten. “Any club,” she says quickly. “Whichever one you think is safest. I don’t care where we go, just as long as there’s music and dancing.”

“How about the one where we met?” I suggest reluctantly. “My men are familiar with it from before, so it’ll be easier—”

“Yes, perfect,” she interrupts, beaming at me. “Can we take Rosa with us? I know she would love it too.” My expression must reflect my thoughts because she swiftly clarifies, “Just to the club, not dinner. I also want the dinner to be just the two of us.”

I sigh. “Sure. I’ll have one of the guards drive her, so she can meet us at the club after dinner.”

Nora squeals and throws her arms around my neck. “Thank you! Oh, I can’t wait. This is going to be so great.”