Page 114 of Finders Keepers

“But it was s’posed to be a surprise.” Her lower lip trembles.

“And it still will be,” Gavin jumps in smoothly. “Because even though your mom knows something’s happening, she doesn’t know what we’re planning. Right?”

Sophie thinks about this logic. “Right!” Then she freezes. “Can I be s‘cused to go potty?”

“Of course, baby. Do you remember where it is?”

“Yes ma’am.” She slides off her chair and scampers away, her footsteps echoing through the house.

The moment she’s gone, my mind kicks into overdrive. Birthday plans. People. Attention. Exposure. My throat tightens as the possibilities spiral through my head. What if Matt shows up? He’s already ruined too many of my birthdays, what if—

“Hey.” Gavin’s voice cuts through my rising panic. He reaches for me, his hand hovering near mine but not quite touching. “Where’d you go just now?”

I force myself to take a deep breath. “I just… parties mean people. People mean risk. Risk means—”

“Bailey.” He cuts me off, gentle but firm. “Look at me.”

I lift my eyes to meet his. The warmth in his gaze helps to settle the pit in my stomach.

“It’s not a party. Just something with you, Sophie, me and Ms. Lucy. People who already know you, who care about you.”

My fingers twist in my napkin. “But what if—”

“What if we have a beautiful day celebrating you?” He finishes for me. “What if Sophie gets to see her mom smile and laugh? What if you get to feel, even for just a few hours, like you don’t have to look over your shoulder?”

Tears prick at my eyes. “I want that. God, I want that so much. But Matt—”

“Matt doesn’t get to steal this from you too.” There’s an edge to his voice now. “You’re safe here. Sophie’s safe here. I won’t let anything happen to either of you.”

The conviction in his voice makes my chest tight. I want to believe him. Part of me already does. But the part that remembers Matt’s promises, his rage, his fists…

“Sophie’s coming back.,” Gavin says softly, withdrawing his hand. “Just think about it, okay? You deserve to be celebrated.”

Sophie bounds back into the room, climbing into her chair. “Can I have more magic peas, please?”

“Of course you can.” Gavin serves her another helping, and I watch as she digs in.

“So,” I say, forcing a lightness into my voice I don’t quite feel, “about this birthday surprise…”

“Mama, no hints!” She points her fork at me.

“Not even a tiny one?”

“Nope!” She pops the ‘p’ sound, something she’s recently learned to do.

“What about you?” I turn to Gavin, trying to ignore how my pulse quickens when he smiles. “Any hints?”

He pretends to zip his lips. “My lips are sealed. But I will say this. We think you’re going to love it.”

The certainty in his voice makes me wonder what he sees when he looks at me. Does he see the broken pieces I’m trying to hold together? Or does he see something else, something I’ve forgotten how to see in myself?

Sophie finishes her second helping of pasta, her fork scraping the bottom of the bowl. “Can we watch a movie?”

“Actually,” Gavin stands, gathering plates, “I thought we might do something else tonight. If it’s okay with your mom?”

I raise an eyebrow, curious.

“I got some new board games. Including one called Candy Land that I hear is pretty awesome.”

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