Page 39 of Savannah Sweethearts

She blinked several times. “I’m sorry, do you want me to carry the camera? I wouldn’t think you would trust me with it. You treat it like a baby.”

It was ridiculously expensive equipment, of course I treated it with care. I gingerly placed it back inside its case before I turned back to her. “That camera would be like twenty-thousand to replace, and I don’t happen to have that sitting around if I break it, so yes, I treat it with respect.”

“That’s more than you do for me.”

Her words felt like a slap in the face. I did everything I could to treat her with respect, especially given our past. I shook my head and stared at her slack-jawed. I had no words that wouldn’t be incredibly offensive, and my abuela would skin me alive from her grave if I uttered them. So instead I turned and got into the driver’s seat, cranking the car and revving the engine.

Piper got into the passenger side and slammed her door. As she buckled up she sighed, her head down. “I’m sorry.”

Well, that was just as shocking as the last thing she had said. “What?”

“I’m sorry, Alonso. Tomorrow is my birthday and Henry had the nerve to text me today and tell me happy birthday.” Her voice was shaky. “I don’t know if I’m more pissed that he got the day wrong or that he texted me at all.” A weak attempt at a laugh escaped her lips, but I didn’t miss the quick swipe she made under her eyes.

I handed her a napkin. “I’m sorry. That sucks.” I didn’t know what else to say. I didn’t have much experience with crying females. My mother was a wreck of wild emotions, my abuela was always stoic, and my sister was perpetually happy around me. So honest to goodness tears were foreign to me.

“Thanks. I just, I thought I’d be getting married in a few months. And now I’m not and I can’t believe he texted me on the wrong day of all things.” She wiped the napkin under her eyes and looked at me. “I hope you know the right birthdays for all the women in your life.”

Only my sister was left. “I do.” My voice was hoarse as I thought about Maggie. She was all the family I had in the world. I looked to Piper and nodded. “I’m sorry. He’s a jerk and you’re better off. Savannah is lucky to have you back.”

Dark eyes studied me a moment. “I don’t have any fight in me today, Alonso, so I’ll take it.” She sat back and closed her eyes. “You better be right about that angle.”

Heat crept up on my neck. “You won’t be disappointed. It’s a good angle.” I turned my head to the road and put the car in drive.

Back at the studio I loaded up footage into my computer and went to hide in the bathroom. I found a flower delivery app and perused the arrangements that could be delivered within twenty-four hours. I found one that was all pinks and yellows, with a birthday balloon and a box of candies. It was pricey, but I was determined.

I just needed something for the card to say. From everyone at Action News? No. I selfishly wanted the credit. From your cameraman? No. Why was it so hard? Then the perfect thing came to my mind. I typed it out quickly, pleased with myself. She would know it was from me without it saying so. That would avoid anyone thinking we were a couple as well. I clicked order before I could chicken out.

Action News liked any reason to celebrate, so the next day as I strolled in, a giant tray of cupcakes sat in the break room and a paper birthday crown sat on Piper’s desk. She was standing beside it, talking and laughing with Tyrell and Maria Warthen, one of the other field reporters.

Pink must be her favorite color because she wore a hot pink dress that looked like it belonged in a 1950s advertisement. Over it was a light pink cardigan that matched the belt on the dress. I stopped in my tracks about ten feet from her, my khakis wrinkled and my Action News polo several years old and sporting a stain that was tucked into my pants.

Her gaze traveled up to meet mine, and she tilted her head a little and nodded. I waved, feeling more awkward than I had in fifteen years. “Happy birthday, Piper.”

“Thanks, Alonso.” Her voice was soft and she half smiled. Maria kept talking and Piper turned her attention back to her friend.

As I turned to walk away, someone came in carrying a huge bouquet of pink and yellow flowers. I busied myself out of sight and watched from the corner of my eye. The bouquet was huge, a pink mylar balloon hovering over it.

The delivery person handed it over to Piper. “Oh my gosh. This is for me? That’s unbelievable. They are gorgeous.” She placed the flowers on her desk and they took up a good third of the whole thing.

Then the delivery person reached into his bag and pulled out the box of candies. It also was much larger than I had anticipated.

“More? Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.” Piper clutched the chocolates and the delivery person left. She looked to Maria. “Do you see a card? I would guess they’re from my parents, but I don’t know.”

The pair searched through the flowers and Maria came up the winner, card in hand. “It says, ‘Happy birthday. On the right day.’” She knit her eyebrows together. “What does that mean?”

I held my breath as Piper’s eyes immediately shot up and looked around the newsroom. They landed on me, half hidden in the hallway. Within seconds, her cheeks were as pink as her dress. I watched her blink several times and her lips draw together. Was she happy or upset?

Without a second thought, I disappeared down the hallway to get to my edit bay. The darkened room hid my flushed face as I sat down and put my head in my hands. Was that a foolish move? Why had I gotten the largest arrangement possible? Questions ran through my head as I took deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart.

Before it could get back to normal, however, I heard a voice. Behind me.

I knew it was her.

“Alonso?”

Piper

My mind raced with possibilities. Maybe the flowers and candies weren’t from Alonso. But nobody else would have put “on the right day” on a card. I hadn’t told my mother about the text from Henry, nor had I told my best friends. It was too humiliating. It could only be Alonso.

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