By the time they left Jordan's bar, the sun was already setting—that early winter darkness that arrived too soon, turning the city streets golden then purple then blue.
They said their goodbyes at the door—hugs all around, promises to meet up again soon, Bella making Luca promise to invite her to more things, Jordan telling Noel he better come back to the bar more often.
"Thank you," Noel said to all of them. "Seriously. This was perfect."
"Anytime, man," Jordan said. "Happy birthday."
They stepped out into the cold, the temperature having dropped noticeably since afternoon.
Luca pulled his scarf tighter, breath visible in the air.
"That was really nice," Noel said as they started walking. "I wasn't expecting it."
"That was the point."
"You're good at surprises."
"I try."
