He seems so surprised that I kissed him, and to be honest, I didn't even really think about it until after I did it. Back at Samwell, I wouldn't have done it. I would have wanted to keep things private for the sake of my career, but here I won't have a career. Not having to hide from what I am might be the only good think about not having hockey.

Really, I'm not entirely sure how Bittle will react to the picnic, but I'm not really expecting such a display of emotion. He rattles off more complimentary adjectives about me than I can count while pulling me in, and I laugh a little into the kiss. "Oh, mon chou. I'm glad you like it."

I kiss his cheek and then reach into the basket. "One more thing," I say, pulling out a small cake with a single candle in it. I set it down on the blanket and then smile at him while gesturing at our surroundings. "Get it?"