Page 26 of Silent Partner (Pine Falls 3)

Before I knew it, Dani and Grandma came out, each carrying a cake. Dani was holding the unicorn one with four long candles burning. Grandma carried a large chocolate cake that looked like it was on fire with thirty candles blazing. I was so embarrassed. Not to be thirty, but that I felt like such a loser at my own party. I’d had a vision of what this night was going to look like. I should have been in Tristan’s arms right now. And he should have been whispering in my ear how he couldn’t wait to leave and have me all to himself. Then he was supposed to sing in his beautiful voice, “Happy Birthday.” After that, he would have kissed me before I made a fool of myself and tried to blow out all the candles.

Instead of the dream version of my birthday, I barely heard people singing, although it was deafening. I was doing my best not to run away and embarrass myself further. Then the voice I’d been hearing for weeks, that always managed to rescue me from my nightmares, whispered in my ear, “Happy birthday, Kinsley.” For a sliver of a moment, the humiliation washed away, and once again I felt saved.

I turned and came face-to face-with the voice I hadn’t been willing to admit had been saving me for weeks. I didn’t know Brant had come up here. And though there was a flaming cake in front of my face, all I could focus on was the way the candlelight lit up Brant’s eyes. And how easily I could get lost in them. Thankfully, I had a moment of clarity. No more men. Ever. Unfortunately, my mouth had a mind of its own. “I have a cat,” I blurted.

“You mentioned that.” He smiled.

“Make a wish,” Grandma sang.

My head whipped toward Grandma, who wore a Cheshire grin. I knew what she was thinking. It was never happening. Not only was Brant sick, but I had practically begged him to choose me when I’d kissed him two years ago. And like everyone else, he had decided to take a pass. So now it was just Oscar and me. Yep, happy birthday to me.

I blew out the candles and refused to make a wish. Why bother? They never come true.

Chapter Six

I dreaded getting out of my car. There was a bite in the cold autumn morning air, and having to face Giselle and Carter this early on a Monday after the birthday weekend I’d had didn’t sound all that appealing. I was still trying to get over Tristan and the humiliation of it all. Not to mention that all my time around Brant hadn’t done me any favors. I couldn’t help but worry about him now. Even if he did get me a Target gift card for my birthday. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Target and was grateful for the gift, but it was embarrassing. Not only that but gift cards usually said, “I don’t know you well,” or, “You’re not worth the time to buy a real gift.” Which was why I’d received a lot of gift cards this year. It was humiliating. On the upside, though, Target and I were going to get well acquainted again. No more Walmart for at least a couple of months.

Regardless of Brant’s gift, I had been obsessing about what was wrong with him. I wanted to talk to Dani about it, but after the party, she’d looked about done for. She was definitely pregnant. I didn’t want to add any more stress for her right now by discussing Brant’s illness with her. I had almost asked Brant himself when he’d insisted on walking me to my car once the festivities were over, but I’d chickened out. Besides, it was none of my business.

With a deep breath in and out, I got out of my car. There were only a few cars in the lot, including Carter’s. I was sure he and Giselle had driven in together. In fact, I think they were living together now. Not sure why they tried to keep that from me. Like I would care. They were welcome to each other.

I hustled across the lot; my breath visible in the cold air. I braced myself for the criticism that was sure to come my way. Maybe one day I would grow a backbone and tell them if it weren’t for me, most of our employees would have quit by now, and I was more talented than either of them, so they could take their combined majority ownership and stick it where the sun didn’t shine. But I wouldn’t, because I would go bankrupt without them. And they knew it.

I walked in to hear the hustle and bustle of the day’s food prep. I wished I could head straight to the kitchen, but the throes of hell called, so I headed for the office. I would get my chance in the kitchen later, as I was working the late shift again. The door was open, and I found Carter and Giselle standing near the desk, smiling nervously when I walked in. I also noticed that Carter’s eyes kept darting all over the place, but they especially kept landing on a manila envelope on the desk.

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