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it.”
    “You couldn’t have chosen a more perfect gift. I’ll always have your love with me.”
    “I wanted to give you something that would make you think of me.”
    “I certainly will.”
    I reached up to kiss him, my lips light and feathery over his, but the light touch didn’t last long. It sparked something in him like never before. His arms wrapped around me and I could sense the urgency of his touch. Not the sexual urgency I’d sensed since our night together, but something different.
    “I never want to let you go, Kama,” he whispered into my hair. His breathing was heavy and loud as his hands traveled down my back, pressing me tightly to him as he did so. “Stay with me tonight. My heart’s desire is to be with you, to hold you and keep you close.”
    “Liam, the last time I stayed here alone with you, we almost went too far. Do you really want to risk that again?”
    “I was able to put my hands and lips on virtually every inch of your body and still I kept control. I think I can do it again. Besides, I want very much to keep the ultimate connection between you and me for our wedding night.”
    “You tempt me so much… too much. I want to be that close to you again, but…”
    “There’s still an hour or two before people start to leave. We’ll take out the birthday cake, you’ll get your gifts and people will dance a bit more. Once they’re gone, I want to have you all to myself for a few hours at least.”
    “Okay,” I whispered. “It’ll be my other birthday gift.” My hand reached for the heart around my neck. “As much as I cherish this, I know that tonight will be engraved in my memory like nothing else.”
    “Good,” he said as his arms pulled me to his chest. “I’m happy you desire me just as much as I desire you. Our love is boundless, you know. Knowing all the love I have in my heart and seeing it reflected in your eyes, it just cements our fate all the more; our future is together.”

 
    Chapter 4
     
    A s excited and thrilled as I was to have my great birthday bash, and as wonderful as my night alone with Liam was, the weeks following my birthday dragged on and on. Everyday I anticipated finding my Life’s Plan in the mailbox. Everyday I awoke full of dreams and aspirations, full of plans for my life with Liam, yet the mailbox was empty time after time.
    The first few days I took in stride. I knew receiving my Life’s Plan the day following my birthday was unrealistic. But after two weeks I grew impatient and after the third I was downright edgy.
    My mind played through a variety of what if scenarios. Had the Committee received confirmation of my 18th birthday? Sarah had assured me they had. Were they having doubts as to the direction my life should take? Sarah and Liam both said it was normal. The Committee had tons of information to pour through in order to come to a decision.
    By the fifth week I was snapping at my mother and had difficulty concentrating at school. I knew it was normal for it to take a while, but this was exceedingly long and I could see the concern reflected in the eyes of those around me. Something was wrong.
    “What if I’m just too stupid, inept and untalented for them to find me a suitable Life’s Plan?” I shouted at my mother as I returned from another foray into the empty mailbox.
    “Don’t be silly. If anything you have too many talents and you're so brilliant they simply can’t decide how to use your abilities in a way that will best suit society.”
    The following day an envelope sat in the mailbox. On seeing it I knew it wasn’t just another letter. It was the letter I’d been waiting for; the letter on lavender paper.
    My fingers trembled as I reached for it. My name was written on the envelope with a flourish and I stared at it, imagining the content.
    “Mom,” I said as I returned to the house. “It’s finally here.”
    She smiled and tapped my cheek. “Good, I was growing weary of seeing you so agitated every day. So,