Page 134 of The Hearts We Fumble
I sigh, tilting my head to give him better access. “If you keep that up, I will be.”
His low chuckle rumbles against my skin, sending a shiver through me.
“That’s not what I meant,” he murmurs, lips ghosting over my jaw, “but if you’d rather skip lunch, I wouldn’t mind having you instead.”
A sharp inhale escapes me, and Zane smirks, stealing a kiss before pulling away and grabbing my hand.
We’d planned to have lunch at Rosey’s—a place that used to be my regular spot with Tatum, though it’s been a while since I last went. So much has changed in the past six months that some days, I barely recognize the girl staring back at me in the mirror.
That’s a good thing, too.
After lunch, I’m caught up in my thoughts, barely registering the drive—until I recognize the familiar street. My brows knit together as Zane pulls into our neighborhood, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.
I glance over at him, but he says nothing, his expression unreadable as he parks and steps out, circling to my side.
When he reaches for my hand, I almost expect him to lead me inside the guesthouse, maybe to finish what I tried to start before lunch. But instead, he guides me past it, toward the backyard.
“What are we doing?” I ask, watching him with suspicion. “I thought you had a date planned?”
Zane only winks, pulling open the wooden gate and motioning for me to step inside first.
I don’t even have time to process what’s happening before a loud chorus of voices shouts, “SURPRISE!”
I startle so hard I nearly jump into Zane’s arms. He chuckles, looping his arm around my waist, steadying me as my wide eyes take in the backyard.
A crowd of familiar faces beams back at me, the energy electric. Streamers sway in the breeze, a long table is set with food, and a “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” banner hangs over the patio.
My hand flies to my mouth. Zane squeezes my waist, his lips brushing my temple.
“Happy birthday, firecracker.”
Leaning my head back against Zane’s chest, I peer up at him.
I turn to Zane, my voice caught somewhere between disbelief and gratitude. “Did you do this?”
His lips curl into a knowing smirk. “I mean… I might’ve had a little help.”
From the crowd, Tatum chimes in, “It was Everly and me, too.”
I finally take a proper look around, my gaze sweeping over the familiar faces gathered in the backyard. It’s not just our close group of friends—I spot both of our moms standing near the patio, deep in conversation, Myla beside them. Colter and Ava linger nearby, and off to the side, almost like he’s debating whether he should be here, stands Zane’s older brother, Miles.
That alone surprises me. With the NBA playoffs in full swing, I have no idea how he managed to slip away from Miami to be here today.
Laughter and conversation buzz around me as we move through the group, exchanging hugs and teasing remarks. Everyone is dressed in swimsuits, the scent of sunscreen and chlorine mixing with the warm breeze. Music drifts from the speakers on the patio, and the pool glistens under the afternoon sun, a few of the guys already lounging in the water with drinks in hand.
Tatum steps in front of me, holding out a bag. “Here. Zane made sure you had a swimsuit.”
Lifting a brow, I glance over my shoulder at him. “Oh, did he now?” I smirk, turning back to the bag. “Let me guess—did he go for something in that same cotton-candy color?”
Zane’s eyes darken slightly, and I know exactly where his mind has gone. Months ago, he told me about the first time he saw me in a two-piece—how it nearly wrecked him.
Leaning in, he presses a slow, deliberate kiss against my temple. “Careful, firecracker. Keep running that mouth, and I’ll take you inside and swap that suit for one of my T-shirts and a pair of gym shorts instead.”
I shake my head, a warmth spreading through my chest. He really thought of everything. The effort, the planning, the way he went out of his way to make today special—it’s more than I ever expected. More than I ever let myself hope for.
Turning back to Zane, I meet his gaze, my heart squeezing at the quiet pride in his expression. He shrugs like it’s nothing, like this wasn’t the most thoughtful thing anyone’s done for me in a long time. But it is. And he knows it too.
Especially since my birthday hasn’t felt like much of a celebration in years.
