Page 46 of The Secrets We Keep

“Landon who is your friend?!” Jessy half shouts and she pulls Sarah behind. Sarah’s face is flushed. I have to shake my head, I know just what she’s up to. Jessy is trying to play matchmaker.

“Jessy, Sarah, this is Zander. Zander, Jessy and Sarah.”

Landon gives Jessy a look but she pays him no mind. She continues to chat with him and I notice Sarah slowly starts to relax and engage in the conversation.

It’s not long before our dinner arrives and then is being cleared as they bring out a two tier cake covered in gold and black fondant. It shimmers with each step the server takes. It’s marvelous. I’ve never seen a cake so elegantly decorated. Everyone starts to sing Happy Birthday to me and I can’t help but tear up. How lucky am I to have such sweet people in my life. I decide to give a little thank you speech as Sarah begins to cut the cake.

“Hey everyone?” All eyes turn to me.

“I just want to take a moment to thank you all for coming out tonight to celebrate with me. It means so much. I never thought I would have this life again.” I take a deep breath then exhale before continuing, “I ran away from my past life and found a new one. It’s where I found Landon who slowly took over my heart and then I met Jessy. She has gotten me through some of my toughest days. I’m so grateful for them.”

I smile as Jessy gets up and pulls me into a tight hug. She whispers love you before sitting back down.

“Then my past caught up with me and my sister was determined to not lose me again. Sarah, thank you so, so much for hiring a private investigator to find me.”

Like Jessy did moments prior, Sarah stands and hugs me.

“All right, enough with the soft stuff. Let’s eat cake.” Jessy tells everyone, causing our group to erupt into laughter.

Landon pulls me into him and grips my hip before leaning into my ear. “I love you.”

“I love you back.”

Once everyone has finished with desert we decide to head out. Us girls pile back in the BMW. Landon drove my car tonight so the girls would be comfortable in the back seat. I assumed we were heading out to a club but it doesn’t take long to realize we are heading in the direction of home, our home. I turn down Anberlin which was blaring through the speakers.

“Hey, where are we going? The club isn’t this way?”

“Who said we were going to a club?” Landon glances over to me before looking back at the road. I can see the smirk on his face as his eyes dance with mischief.

“What?”

I look back at Sarah and Jessy who just shrug their shoulders. Both have smiles as well. No one says a thing and the silence is too much. I turn around and turn the music back up just as New Found Glory starts. I stare out of the window and get lost in the lyrics to Make Your Move.

“Landon what is going on?” I question as we pull into our driveway. “Why are we here?”

He says nothing just smiles. What the hell is up? The car comes to a stop and he puts it in park.

“Wait here babe.” Is all Landon says before getting out and rounding the car. I turn back to look at the girls. They have shit eating grins on their faces and I notice they are holding hands like they are each other’s life line. I squint at them but, before I can question them my door is being opened and Landon’s hand is outstretched awaiting mine. I take a deep breath and place my hand in his. Once I’m out of the car He kisses my forehead and asks me to wait with Sarah and Jessy. I nod and he walks off towards the house. Once I’m certain he’s out of hearing I turn and look sternly at my two best friends.

“Talk. What is going on? We are supposed to be at the club, dancing the night away.”

Sarah says nothing and the look on her face tells me she is staying silent. That almost pisses me off. Jessy on the other hand is practically dancing in place.

“Well…” I demand and Jessy starts laughing before speaking,

“Relax girl. The party is about to start.”

I sigh. It’s no use with these two.

Landon appears a few minutes later and guides us to the side of the house through the fence. My eyes go wide. The back yard is completely finished and the string lights are lit. There’s music softly playing in the background and tiki torches have been lit. It’s magical. Turning to look at Landon, his emerald eyes light up.

“Surprise baby.”

“Oh Landon, this is lovely! Really!”

I turn and both girls are holding each other as if they are admiring our moment.

“You both knew!” I point to them.

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