Page 53 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

Chapter Fifteen

Friday and Saturday passed in a blur. Both days were spent in delight and seeing my girls so happy made me happier than I’d been in a long time.

Sunday came around with beautiful weather. Shortly after lunchtime, I was driving us with the windows down to Betty’s neighborhood just a few miles from ours. She was having her fortieth birthday party.

We arrived there a few minutes before two in the afternoon, and I could tell her party was already in full swing. I got the kids out of the car, and as we walked through the open garden door to the back of the house, I was greeted by Kristoff.

“Hello, Gemma.” His greeting was as if it was completely normal he was there and we always ran into each other at Betty’s gatherings.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Hi, Kristoff,” Saoirse chippered at him. “So nice to see you.”

“Now that is a greeting!” Kristoff said smiling. “It is so nice to see you too, Saoirse!”

“I glad see you too,” Sierra said shyly in her baby talk.

Kristoff kneeled down to her eye level, unconcerned that his expensive suit was on the blacktop, and with a smile replied, “I’m so happy you said that. I was hoping to see you all here.”

“I’m glad to see you too. I guess that only leaves Mom not being glad to see you,” Sienna said. Kristoff rose from his kneeling position, and I noticed he had a bag in his hand. His eyes were on me, a small smile on his lips. When he looked at me like that, I’d say or do anything he wanted. I should never show him that, because it was really scaring me.

“It is not true that I am not glad to see him!” I retorted to Sienna’s comment. “I was just surprised to see him at Betty’s birthday party,” I defensively corrected and looked at Kristoff. “I thought you were traveling on business. When did you get here?”

“Actually just now. I happened to notice you getting the kids out of the car so I came over. We can go in together.”

I did not like that. It made the impression like we were a couple and we came together. But what to say?You wait here and come in after us,that would be rude!

We all walked in and I could have sworn that the noise of the party got a few notches lower, and many eyes turned our way. I hated the attention. I preferred to walk in unnoticed, and I like it even better when I left unnoticed.

Betty walked over to us smiling wide.

“Hello you guys,” she was babbling all happy. “Hi girls!” she said to my daughters. “I am so glad you made it. I was worried, Gemma, you were going to send me an excuse last minute that you can’t make it. And you Kristoff, thank you for accepting the last minute invitation.”

“I promised I was going to come,” I said, giving her a pointed look that I was hoping she could interpret. Of course, she didn’t. Why didn’t she tell me she invited Kristoff? She wouldn’t have forgotten that little fact!

“Ah, here is your birthday gift,” I said and then leaned to her, and hugged her. “Happy birthday! Open it when you are alone!” I gave her a smile.

“I don’t know how you always manage to surprise me,” she said. “Your gifts are the best and most original, and it never ceases to amaze me that my rational cool friend comes up with those.”

I smiled. Kristoff handed her his gift, which looked like a check, which surprised me since he still had a bag in his hand. He didn’t make a big elaboration of his gift.

“Ah, Kristoff, you shouldn’t have,” she said but her expression was telling me that she was glad he did.

“Ok, you guys go mingle. I’m going to put these in a safe place.”

She walked away, and I looked at the girls. “You want to go play with your friends?”

“I wish it was my birthday,” Saoirse mumbled.

“Ah, baby, it will be here before you know it,” I said hugging her. “We’ll get you one of those special cakes you like on my pinterest page.”

“Oh, yes Mommy! That would be a perfect cake,” she said, beaming.

Kristoff added, “Actually I have a little present for you girls too.” He was smiling and I looked at him suspiciously.

He went into his bag and handed an identical looking jewelry box to each of the girls.

“Kristoff,” I said in warning. “I sure hope toys are in there!”

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