Page 38 of Pretty Little Disaster

“Come on.” Dragging her up from her chair I lead her back toward the door, holding it open for her and nodding at the valet to get my car.

“Nic, what are you doing?” she whisper-yells, blushing red while we wait.

“You think this place sucks.” I take off my jacket and drape it over her shoulders. I told her she’d need hers, but she never listens.

“That’s not what I think, at all. I liked it. It’s just not what I’m used to. Come on, let's go back inside. It’s your birthday, we should eat where you want.”

“You think I like it here?” I laugh, sometimes it’s unbelievable how clueless she can be.

“If you don’t like it here, why did you bring me here?” She looks at me as if I’m the crazy one.

“Maybe…I wanted to impress you.” I shrug, dusting the sleeve of my jacket and feeling a little embarrassed. The smile she pulls back at me makes the humiliation worth it.

“I think we’re past the impressing me stage,” she laughs as my car pulls up in front of us and the valet jumps out. I open the door for her, then tip him before getting into the driver's seat.

“So, what do we do now?” she asks.

“Leave it to me. I have an idea.” I leave her guessing as I head back toward home, making a stop off on the way.

“How did you know this is exactly what I wanted?” she asks while dunking a French fry into her strawberry milkshake.

“I saw your face light up when we passed the billboard on the way to the restaurant, earlier.” I lie back against the arm of the couch and listen to the satisfied noises she makes as she finishes off her burger. She looks at me guiltily when she spills burger sauce down the front of the tee she borrowed from me.

“Great way to spend your birthday, huh?” She picks up a napkin and attempts to wipe it clean as she bites her bottom lip.

“The perfect way.” I take the napkin off her and drag her on top of me. I’ve got the game on the TV, we’ve stuffed ourselves with junk food and now, I get to feel her nestle into me and fall asleep.

“What would you usually be doing, right now?” She rests her head on my shoulders and draws circles on my chest with her finger.

“I’d be wasted, by now,” I tell her, realizing that I don’t miss a damn thing about being out with the guys. Truth is, it’s always been tough to know who my friends really are. I used to think the more you had, the better life would be, but I’ve learned who I matter to since my family lost its district. Doing what I do ensures that I’ll never be short of money and, thanks to some good investments from my father, our family still has plenty of assets but it’s surprising how many people stop calling when you haven’t got the power to go with the fortune.

“Shit, I can’t believe I almost forgot.” She jumps up far too fast and races down the hall, coming back to me a few minutes later and proudly hands me an envelope.

“Thanks.” I take it off her and start to open it.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t get you a gift, but you are the one who made me quit my job,” she reminds me, sitting back down and watching as I pull the card from the envelope. Reading what it says on the front of the card puts a lump in my throat.

“Daddy?” I look back at her and see how excited she looks.

“Read it, then,” she urges me to open it.

“To my daddy,” I read out loud what she’s written inside. “Have a great birthday, next year we’ll spend it together.”

I place the card down on the coffee table and grab hold of her waist, pulling her back on top of me and kissing her so hard it takes her breath away.

“That’s the best thing anyone’s ever given me,” I tell her.

“Bullshit. Madalina and Dario got you courtside season tickets for the Giants,” she laughs.

“That doesn’t even come close.” I look at the card again and can’t stop smiling.

“It’s crazy to think that this time next year we’re going to be parents.” I shake my head in disbelief. Six months ago, the idea would have terrified me, now it’s all I can think about.

“You’re going to be a great dad,” she assures me, snuggling herself back into my body and as I rest my chin on the top of her head, it's me that draws circles on her back. Her body gets heavier as she drifts off to sleep, the Rangers score, and I wonder if life can get any better.

LORNA

SIX WEEKS LATER

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