Page 87 of The Odds of Happily Ever After
Her lips parted.
“I know you did it, Luna.” The right side of my mouth pulled up. “Only you would think of getting me a balloon.”
“Did you leave it at the hotel?” Her eyebrow arched in accusation.
“It popped in the elevator as I was leaving.”
She gave a loud gasp. “Not in the elevator!”
“There was a family in there with me. The child cried, and his parents glared at me.”
“I’m sorry.” She grinned. “So is that a no on balloons next time?”
Warmth radiated through my chest at the idea of a next time. “I loved the balloon, Luna. I loved everything.”
“Yay, I’m glad. You deserved to have a birthday surprise.”
That concept was foreign to me and wholly unexpected. Even as a child, my birthdays were predictable. My mother would prepare the same dishes and the parties would be laidback after the big New Year festivities. Once I started living alone, my birthday became just any other day with the exception of a special meal—for one. I never expected that could change.
Then Luna came along.
I wondered if I would get to spend my birthday with her someday. I had stopped wishing things for myself years ago, but I’d wished for that very thing when I blew out the candle on the cake she sent me.
And for the first time in decades, I almost believed my wish could come true.
chapter twenty-seven
luna
Ate
Are you at the apartment already?
I’m assuming you’re with Gabe but can you at least let me know you’re okay?
HELLO?
Luna
I’m home!! Things are great
Ate
Great??? I don’t need to know what that means but this is your reminder to always be safe.
Luna
OMG that’s not what I meant!!!!!
It was almostten when we finished cleaning up. Though I was running on the four hours of sleep I’d gotten on the plane, I felt wide awake. I didn’t want Gabe to leave yet.
More like ever.
No. You are a strong, independent woman. You don’t need a man.
But just because I didn’t need a man didn’t mean I couldn’twantone. This one in particular.
“Thanks again for picking me up,” I said as I wiped my hands on a dishtowel. “And for helping with the food.”
