The elevator chimed softly as it reached the top floor of the Rosecliff Hotel. Lena adjusted the birthday cake in her hands, careful not to smudge the intricate chocolate lettering that read Happy Birthday, Ethan. The glow of flickering candles cast a soft light across the surface, their tiny flames dancing with every slight movement she made.
Beside her, James checked his phone one last time and grinned. "He's almost here. Sophie, you're on standby?"
Sophie, already halfway behind the wall next to the private dining room entrance, gave a thumbs-up. "Got it. Operation Surprise Birthday: go time."
Lena smiled nervously. This was James' idea, of course—he'd wanted to plan something memorable for Ethan's birthday. Something warm. Personal. Something that would remind his older brother that no matter how many years he'd spent away from home, this was still where he belonged.
The hotel's private dining room had been transformed into something elegant but intimate. Candles glowed at the center of a round table. A soft jazz melody floated in the background, and champagne chilled in an ice bucket near the window overlooking the city skyline.
Lena held her breath as footsteps echoed down the hall. Then the door opened.
"SURPRISE!"
Ethan blinked as the lights came on and the birthday song broke out, slightly off-key but full of laughter and cheer. Lena stepped forward, cradling the cake, her voice a touch softer than the others—but her smile was radiant.
Ethan stared, stunned for a second—then broke into a grin. "You guys…"
James clapped him on the back. "Happy birthday, big bro."
"You really didn't see this coming?" Sophie asked, elbowing Ethan playfully. "That's gotta be a first."
Lena held out the cake as they finished the song. "Make a wish, Ethan."
He looked at her, and in that moment, the room seemed to blur behind her. Her eyes shimmered in the candlelight—warm, steady, the kind of look that felt like home. Slowly, he closed his eyes.
Let me keep this feeling. Let me stay close to her.
Then he leaned in, blew out the candles—and before Lena could lower the cake, he leaned forward and kissed her.
It wasn't hurried. Wasn't loud. Just a gentle, sure press of his lips to hers. Warm and grateful. A silent thank-you for everything that words couldn't express.
Lena froze in surprise for a heartbeat, her eyes wide—then slowly, she kissed him back, brief but genuine, her cheeks glowing when they finally pulled apart.
"Well…" James raised an eyebrow and took a sip of champagne. "That was not on the party agenda."
Sophie squealed. "Oh my God, I knew it!"
The rest of the evening flowed easily after that, like the air had shifted into something lighter. The four of them laughed, reminisced, and toasted to Ethan's return. Over roasted duck, truffle pasta, and fine wine, they talked about childhood memories, embarrassing teenage moments, and awkward first dates—Sophie oversharing most of all.
"I still remember Ethan threatening that poor boy from my chemistry class just for walking me home," James said with a grin.
Ethan gave a mock shrug. "He had a shifty face."
As dessert arrived, James stood and stretched. "Alright, birthday boy. I did you a favor. Booked a room for the night upstairs. You can thank me later."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "I'm not that drunk."
James smirked, then slid another glass of whiskey toward him. "Wanna bet?"
An hour—and far too many drinks—later, Ethan was slouched in the plush chair, a little pink in the cheeks, a lazy grin on his face.
"You good?" Lena asked, standing and smoothing down her skirt.
Ethan lifted a finger. "Completely sober."
"Right," James laughed, rising to his feet. "I'm handing him over to you, Lena. He listens to you better anyway."
Lena rolled her eyes, helped Ethan up gently, and guided him out into the hallway. The corridor was quiet, the carpeted floor muffling their footsteps. Ethan swayed slightly but walked on his own, refusing help, stubborn as ever.
"Come on," Lena said softly, unlocking the hotel room. "You're staying here tonight. It's late."
As the door closed behind them, Ethan plopped down onto the bed, his tie loosened, his shirt rumpled. "Told you… I'm fine."
Lena folded her arms. "Then go wash up."
He looked at her, amused. "Bossy."
"Shower," she insisted, pointing to the bathroom.
Ethan finally pushed himself up and padded into the bathroom, unbuttoning his shirt along the way. Lena waited until the door closed behind him, then exhaled deeply and reached into her handbag.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she pulled out a small silver box. Inside it was a simple thumb drive—nothing fancy, but deeply personal. It had taken her weeks to sort through the old photos: her first solo trip, the art gallery she worked at briefly, days at the law school, some goofy selfies with Sophie, birthday dinners. All the moments Ethan had missed while he was away.
He once told her he wished he'd been around—said he'd wondered what her life had been like during those years apart. So this was her way of sharing them. Letting him in. Letting him catch up.
She set the box gently on the nightstand beside the bed and sat down for a moment to collect herself.
The bathroom door opened with a soft hiss of steam.
Lena turned—and froze.
Ethan stood there with only a towel wrapped low around his hips, hair damp and tousled. Water clung to his skin, catching the light in beads that traced the lines of muscle across his chest and arms. His body bore stories—small scars across his ribs and shoulder, faded but there. Evidence of his time in the field. Of the things he never spoke about.
Lena's breath caught.
She hadn't expected this. Hadn't expected to see him like this. Ethan ran a towel through his hair, completely unfazed—until he looked up and saw her expression.
"You okay?"he asked, stepping closer.
Lena blinked, suddenly flustered. Her cheeks warmed as she looked away, trying—and failing—not to think about how man he looked at that moment. "You… um, should put on a shirt."
Ethan chuckled, the sound deep and teasing. "Didn't know I'd make you blush."
"I'm not blushing," Lena said quickly, eyes fixed on the opposite wall.
Lena stood and gestured to the small box on the nightstand. "I left your birthday present there."
Ethan looked at it curiously, then opened it. Inside, the thumb drive gleamed under the lamp's warm light.
"What's this?"
"It's… photos," she said nervously. "From after high school. My life over the years. You once said you were curious what you missed. I thought maybe this could fill in some of those blanks."
Ethan stared at the drive in silence, his expression unreadable. Then slowly, his lips curved into something soft and genuine.
"This is… the best gift I've ever gotten," he said, voice low.
Lena let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"I mean it," he added. "Thank you. For sharing this with me."
She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're welcome."
Ethan stepped closer, his hand brushing lightly against hers. "And for the kiss earlier?"
Lena's heart skipped.
"Consider that my thank-you for making today feel like more than just a day," he said. "But… I'd like another one."
Her breath hitched. She met his gaze—steady, warm, laced with something deeper.
This time, it was Lena who leaned in first.