Page 20 of California Love Songs
Erin looked at him with that serious expression on her face, a slight crease between her brows. “I think if I were a party planner for my job, I wouldn’t want to plan my own birthday. And wouldn’t it be nice, just once, to walk in and not have to do anything? Instead of being behind the scenes, making sure there’s enough ice, or that the tray of canapés is properly filled and people’s dietary considerations are being looked after, she could just enjoy herself. It’s time she was the center of attention for once.”
Erin had a point, but he still wasn’t sure. “Have you ever planned a big party?”
She shook her head, and he saw the doubt creep in. The last thing Damien wanted to do was make Erin doubt herself. But he also didn’t want Crystal to have to rescue her own party.
Erin took her lower lip between her teeth and started gnawing on it. “Do you think it’s a terrible idea?”
Suddenly the memory of Crystal enjoying herself on the dance floor at that fancy party where she’d convinced him to perform rose in his mind. For those brief minutes she’d allowed herself a break, she’d been as bright as the sunshine. Crystal knew how to have fun. Erin was right. Crystal was always behind the scenes, making sure everybody else was having a good time. It wasn’t often she could let her hair down and just enjoy a party.
He began to feel slightly more enthusiastic. “No, I think it’s a good idea. I think you should do it.”
Erin looked around the table. “And you’ll all help me, right?”
Mila looked slightly nonplussed. “I love Crystal, but I have a wedding to plan,” she said, sounding a little put out. Mila very much liked to be the center of attention, and he didn’t think she appreciated that even temporarily, the attention had shifted away from her and her wedding.
Erin looked quite stern, which she could do as well as their mother when she wanted to. “Crystal is already planning your wedding, and you know she’ll do a great job. This is just one party, one night, for one of my best friends.”
Mila did a pretend huff. “Fine. I can hire a great caterer. I know a few from some of the parties I’ve been to. I’ll make sure none of them tell Crystal.”
Erin went to her bag and pulled out a notebook and pen—she never went anywhere without both. She opened to a blank a page and wrote Crystal’s thirtieth surprise party across the top, and underlined the words. Then, below that: Catering—Mila.
Cake—
To his surprise, his mom spoke up. “I’d like to make Crystal’s birthday cake.” She looked a little worried. “If you think I could do a good enough job. I mean, if you’d rather get the caterer or a bakery to do one, that’s fine.”
As one, they all cried out, “No!”
Erin said, “Crystal would absolutely love it if you made her cake. I think it would mean a lot to her.”
Cake—Mom.
Betsy looked a little embarrassed. “It would mean a lot to me to make it for her. She’s almost like another daughter.” They all agreed this was true, although something about this made Damien fearful. They were all so protective of Crystal. What would the Davenport women say if they knew the kind of thoughts he’d been having about her?
Tessa said she would like to create the party invitation. It wasn’t every day that a soon-to-be world-renowned painter took the time to design a party invitation. It was already sounding like an amazing event.
Invitations—Tessa.
He shrugged, getting into the swing of things. “I’ll sing ‘Happy Birthday.’ I sing it to her every year. It’s kind of a tradition.”
Erin grilled him with her gaze. “Yes, but will you be here in person? I know you phone her from all over the world every year and sing to her. But it would mean the world to her if you were actually here for it.”
He felt a flicker of irritation. “Didn’t I tell you guys I’m going to hang around for a while? I’m not rushing off on tour anytime soon. Yes, I’ll be here.”
Erin was still staring right at him. “And you’ll sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in person. On a stage if necessary, depending on how many people we have.”
The irritation grew. It was like they didn’t believe it was possible for him to stay in one place. “Yes, I will. I promise.”
She nodded. “Good.”
Damien—Sing Happy Birthday in person at the party.
Crystal’s birthday was October 4. They didn’t have long.
“Where are we going to have this party?” Betsy asked. That made them all stop and think.
“I guess it depends on how many people are coming,” Erin said. She told them that there were some school friends that Crystal was still in contact with. “We can invite them, and Crystal’s family. Plus her staff.”
Betsy added, “And all of our family, of course.”
