Page 40 of The Mistake

Hanging up the call, I dialed Ivan’s phone again. This time, it didn’t go to voicemail.

“Ive, I had to wonder when you’d call me.”

“Where are you?” I asked. “I just got a call from Rage. We need to talk, and not over the phone. This is important.”

“So, you are on your way back home to see your lovely wife?”

This made me frown. Why the fuck was Charlotte being brought into this?

“And you got her a birthday present as well. See, my dear, no one forgot your birthday.”

Ivan hung up the phone and I gritted my teeth. Shit. Fuck.

Dialing Rage’s number, he answered within two rings.

“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me it was Charlotte’s birthday?” I asked.

“Oh, fuck,” he said. “That explains why Cassie was so desperate to come and see her.”

Yeah, we had all messed up.

****

Lottie

I watched as Ivan talked to my husband, and I knew he was lying.

I’d seen Ive this morning before he leftfor work, and he’d not wished me a happy birthday. He did make me some hash browns and eggs, which I enjoyed, but he’d not said the words. He didn’t know.

It was rare for anyone to wish me a happy birthday.

Cassie never forgot my birthday, but Ihadn’t seen her since the wedding, nor had I heard from her. I wished I hadn’t given that phone to Ivan. It would have been nice to have someone wish me a happy birthday. Ivan had arrived at Ive’s penthouse apartment two hours ago, and he was the only person to remember. He handed me a present, and then kissed my cheek.

I watched him hang up, and he turned to smile at me. “He forgot.”

“Did you happen to remind him it was your birthday?” Ivan asked.

“I didn’t realize I wassupposed to do that for my husband.”

Ivan tutted. “Don’t you know men are useless with dates? Do you know Ive’s birthday?”

“September second,” I said. “I asked when he was born.”

“Ah, all those pesky little questions. Did he ask you?”

“No.”

“Men are pigs.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.I covered my mouth, and I don’t know what happened, but it set off even more laughter. Ivan joined in, laughing along with me. Tears fell from my eyes, but not from sadness. Ivan had made me laugh.

“I should insult myown sex more often.”

“Please do, it’s funny.” I put my hand to my chest and touched the necklace he’d given me. It was a love heart with a diamond in the center. I’d never been given jewelry before. It was such a beautiful and delicate piece. “This is beautiful. Thank you.”

“And it looks stunning on you. I knew the moment I saw it, you’d look beautiful in it.”

This made me smile and I felt my cheeks heating.

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