Page 68 of Stuck with Mr. Grump

“Yes, sir.” Karl nods.

I step forward, heading for the door, then pause, looking at Karl.

“All the guests are around?”

“Yes. All the Camerons are in attendance, as well as some of your father’s other friends in town.”

I sigh. “If he really wanted to have a get-together for himself, he should have just said so instead of pretending this party’s for Sean. Dad just loves attention.”

Karl’s expression doesn’t change, but I do notice his lip tilting up fondly. He and my dad are pretty close. They grew up together and have known each other their whole lives. Dad’s probably the reason Karl’s been so devoted to this family all this time.

“Let’s go.”

He follows me out the door and we head to the garden for the party. Time for mind-numbing conversations with boomers that will only comment on how much I’ve grown, how adorable Sean is, and how proud they are of my accomplishments.

I have nothing against my father’s friends. I just don’t find any of it necessary. At least Emilia will be there. And Carson. I should be careful, though. If Carson gets even a little suspicious about my relationship with his sister, the tone of this party will change dramatically.

That asshole is nothing if not dramatic.

We’re about to turn a corner on a hallway when a voice has us drawing to a stop. “Sean, I’ve been looking for you. Why are you hiding here?”

I fall still, as does Karl behind me.

“Hey, Emilia,” I hear my son say.

“Hi, birthday boy,” she says excitedly. “How are you?”

“Fine.”

“Are you having a happy birthday?”

There’s a slight pause before he replies. “All birthdays are meant to be happy.”

He says it like a question, one that makes my heart ache. I lean against the wall, titling my head to the side to nudge Karl away. He gets the message, turning around and leaving quietly.

“That’s not really true,” Emilia says softly. “And you’d be surprised, honey. Lots of birthdays aren’t happy. Sometimes people feel sad on their birthdays, and people get hurt, too. Which is why it’s important to always try to feel happiness. Because it’s your special day.”

I cross my arms around my chest, wondering at that answer.Just how many birthdays have you spent sad or hurt, angel?

“I’m happy,” Sean tells her. “Dad got me a puppy.”

“I know. I picked it out with him. What did you name him?”

“Lion.”

I can hear the smile in her voice as she says, “That’s a really nice name. Reminds me ofThe Wizard of Oz. There’s a lion in it as well. Which also reminds me. Here’s your present.”

She must hand it to him because he makes a short gasp of delight.

“It’s a book.”

“Yes, it is. You’ll love it. It was the first book I ever read. And I’ve loved it since. It has a lot of big words though.”

“That’s okay. I like big words,” Sean informs her excitedly. “Thank you, Emilia.”

“You’re welcome, sweet boy.”

There’s a short lull in their conversation until Sean speaks up again, his voice small.

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