Chapter 39

"It's your birthday, Jessica. It's a celebration. And you're not spending it in your room doing homework."

I remember my promise to Nate. "Okay. I suppose I can go for pancakes. But I'm paying for myself. Nate gave me birthday money."

"Al gives you a free meal on your birthday. You just need to show your driver's license."

"Really? That's awesome! You should have said that from the beginning. I would have said yes right away."

He laughs. "I know another place that offers birthday freebies. We'll go there later tonight."

"What place?"

"It's a surprise. You ready to go?"

"Give me a few minutes to change and do something with my hair."

"Okay. I'll be down in 10."

I walk him to the door. "You said you just came down to say hi, not go out all night. Don't you have stuff you need to do?"

"This is ……