Page 35 of A Little Bit Extra

Except, I didn’t want to go to my party to celebrate myself. Truthfully, I don’t like celebrating my birthday, but the guys insisted I have a party. I think they wanted a reason to stay out late on a Friday night, which is not something we typically do. I would rather stay in, watch a movie, eat some pizza, you know, our usual Friday night routine. Even growing up, I wasn’t a fan of birthdays.

My parents always took me out to a fancy restaurant with a menu full of unfamiliar dishes, just the three of us. I should be grateful for my parents taking me out to dinner on my birthday, but I can't help complaining. Growing up, I never had the opportunity to enjoy birthday parties that were meant for children. I've never hosted a party at a roller rink or park, and I've never had friends to invite, even if I did. I thought it wasn’t a big deal until Lane asked me what I was doing for my birthday this year.

When I told him nothing, he thought I was kidding. I didn't realize how significant turning 30 would be until Tyler and Max stepped in to help Lane with everything. Without it, I wouldn’t have another excuse to hang out with Cassie in public.

We haven't had a moment alone in over a week, and all I can think about is grinding with her like two horny teenagers at their first prom.

Ridiculous, I know, but it’s the truth. I thought about it every time I saw her today and I could not get the image out of my head. I had to turn away from her before she saw my cheeks flush. Embarrassing.

Asking Cassie to take me to my party may have been selfish on my part. I could have asked a driver, but I wanted another excuse to have alone time with Cassie.

I asked her to come up to my apartment when she arrives. For no specific reason except to see her. A few knocks come from the front door as I’m finishing getting ready.

I give myself a final once-over in the mirror. For tonight, I’ve worn one of my favorite outfit combinations: a pair of jeans, a white shirt, and a navy corduroy button down. I thought going with the outfit I’m most comfortable in tonight will help my confidence around Cassie.

I open the door, and Cassie greets me a small smile and a hello. Her hair is pinned half back, allowing loose curls to cascade from the lower sections. From head to toe, she's clad in black—a black corset, black straight jeans, and black strappy sandals. She is breathtaking.

Cassie looks at the floor, rocks back on her heels, and glances back at me. “I, um, hope I’m dressed okay. I wasn’t quite sure what to wear. It’s been a while since I’ve gone out.” She moves her right hand and rubs her left arm up and down.

“You look great, Cass,” I say. “Beautiful. I’m sure you’ll be the best-looking person in the club.”

She rolls her eyes and the first thought that comes to my mind is “there’s my girl.” Nope. Not tonight. I am shoving all “my girl” thoughts to the very back corner of my brain and shutting that door with a padlock. Friends. We are friends.

“You good?” Cassie’s words take me out of my thoughts.

“I am now that you’re here. Let’s go.”

It only takes us 10 minutes to drive from my apartment to the Moonlight Club. When we arrive, I spot a group of photographers waiting outside the venue to get the perfect shots for their articles.

We kept the guest list small to avoid the press, but I’m not surprised to see a few cameras. This club hosts a lot of private events, so they might not even know about my birthday party. If I dodge photographers and prevent an article from being run with a misleading story, I would avoid any scrutiny from my dad.

I ask Cassie to drive around back so we can go through the back door and avoid the cameras. I slump down in the seat and put my arm over my head, trying to hide my face from people peering into the car windows to see who’s pulling up. Cassie doesn’t ask, but she glances my way when I shrink to hide myself.

Unlike my dad, I stay away from places where people are eager to capture every moment on camera. I despise the forced smiles and obligatory small talk, especially with those who twist my words if I slip up or have a slightly off tone. Tyler, Lane, and Max understand that. It’s how I know they are genuine friends.

In the past, I’ve had so many “friends” want to go out, even when I tried to get us to stay in. They’d always promise we’d go somewhere secluded, but it always ended up in a story the next morning with some quote that was not approved by me. All they wanted was the association to a Davis. They wanted everyone to know we were hanging out. They thought it helped their career to be friends with a family that is known in the industry. As if I’d ever give a recommendation to someone like that—only using me for their own gain.

If anyone but Cassie were driving, they would’ve pushed back at my request to go to the back. They would have given the car to valet and walked right through the middle of the crowd.

I got so used to shielding myself from new relationships that I forgot what it feels like for someone to value me as a person rather than an asset. Fuck. I don’t know what’s worse, family or friends that try to use you for their own personal gain. That’s another reason why I’m so grateful for the people I have in my inner circle.

Marcy and the guys helped heal the trauma induced by my loving father and abandoned friendships. The small group I had around me made me content. I felt like I had enough. What more did I need if I already had people to talk and laugh with?

I was missing Cassie.

I found something new in her smile, laugh, and ability to see through my bullshit. I hardly know her, but I’d like to know every inch of her. Do you know how incredible it feels to find someone that you can be your complete self around?

I was so against developing new relationships that I could have missed having Cassie in my life. At least, in my life for the time being. Nothing is permanent, but I sure hope she’s in my life for a while.

“Okay. What now?” Cassie turns to me. She places both hands on her lap, glances toward the club, and then looks back at me. “Do we need to wear sweatshirts with hoods up or something to enter?”

I tilt my head to the left and bite my cheeks to hold back a laugh.

Cassie looks back at the club. “Or I can go first to distract anyone and you can sneak in?”

My teeth struggle to contain my cheeks as I burst into a wide grin. Trying to stifle a laugh, I bring my hand to my mouth and muffle the sound.

“What?” Cassie glares. She lifts her hands from her lap and crosses her arms.

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