Ava lowered her gaze and tried to step around him, but Dylan grasped her arm, halting her. "Are you still mad at me?"
'Yes, I'm furious with you. So much that I want to scream it out!' she thought bitterly. But instead, she suppressed the storm inside her and spoke in an even, clipped tone, "No. I'm in a good mood today, and I don't want to spoil it. Now, can you let go? I need to leave."
"Where are you going? It's Saturday. Stay with me," he urged. "I promise, I'll make today unforgettable." His gaze was pleading, which caused ripples in Ava's chest. But she masked her reaction.
Freeing her arm from his grasp, she replied, "I'm going to see my father. I've planned to spend the day with him."
Dylan's heart sank. 'What about the surprise I wanted to give her?' A wave of helplessness crashed over him. He wished he could stop her from going out of the house, but it was her birthday. He couldn't upset her.
