Page 10 of Yours and Mine (Friends with Benefits)

“But Carter was right there, and when we were hiking, you were with Daisy.” I rolled my eyes. He hated when I did that, but at this moment, I didn’t care. “You’re being weird about Carter.”

“Well, you’re being weird about Daisy.”

“So we’re both being weird?”

“I guess.” He paused for a moment, staring at the ground. “I’m sorry if it bothered you. Next time I’ll ask her to move.”

“Thank you. You know it’s because you’re my best friend, and our birthdays are special.”

“I know.”

By the time we finished our conversation, our friends had reached the bakery and were waiting for us on the front steps.

“Ready?” Molly asked, stepping from one foot to the other. Having our cakes revealed was always the best part of our birthday, and I wondered about the theme Marge had chosen to decorate the cakes with this year.

When we entered the bakery, my dad was there, smiling, and everyone started singing “Happy Birthday.” I took Nick’s hand without a thought and held it for the entire song. As they finished and I looked on the table: there was only one cake, and it must have been Nick’s because it was in the shape of a yellow Camaro.

Bumblebee,I thought.

Nick let go of my hand, saying, “Wait here.” A moment later he rolled out a cart with a box on top and a big red bow.

“I thought you said no gifts. We’re saving money for the high school camping trip.”

“This only cost me my time, and I really wanted to do this for you.”

I sighed, pulling out the square box from my backpack before he got a chance to call me a hypocrite. “Happy birthday, Nick. I hope you like it.”

“What is this?”

“Open it.”

He tore the wrapping paper wrap and gasped when he saw the rock in his hand. I had carved in the letter “N” on its flat surface.

“Joelle, where did you find this?”

He didn’t call me by my full name unless he wanted my attention.

“Pebble Beach. Do you like it?”

“You know you’ll never win against this, don’t you?”

“I know. But I’d rather see you skip it and beat your own record.”

He threw his arms around me and said, “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Now open yours.”

Excited, I pulled on the red bow, lifted the square box cover off, and there it was: an absolutely beautiful cake. I pulled in a sniffle and covered my mouth with one hand while pointing with the other.

“It’s us.” I finally lowered my hand. “Skipping stones on the lake. Nick, this is beautiful. You did this?”

He nodded.

“Thank you. It’s the best gift ever!” I hugged him tightly.

We cut the cakes and shared them with our parents, friends, and a few of Mrs. Tuscan’s customers who happened to stop by. And everything between me and Nick was well again. He had surprised me with a birthday gift that was as thoughtful as it was lovely, and that was how I knew that our friendship was forever.

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