Page 127 of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

“Please,” I scoffed. “You don’t even look thirty.”

Noah glanced at his silver Rolex. “Well, since your birthday is officially over”—he stood up—“you can’t get mad at me for giving you this.” He opened the fridge and pulled out what looked like a blue pastry box.

I gulped down my water and set it on the counter. “What is that?”

Noah opened the box and took out a big chocolate cupcake that had blue icing on it, covered in silver glitter dust (that was edible, I assumed). He opened a drawer and stuck a small white birthday candle in the middle of it.

“It’s not a traditional birthday cake.”

“Then what kind of cakeis this, exactly?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” He flashed a sly little smile. “A cupcake.”

I rolled my eyes. “I knew that.”

“Chocolate coconut swirled. Think of it as …I-love-you-so-I-bought-you-a-cupcakekind of cake.”

Hmm. I like that.I folded my arms on the counter and gazed at the deliciousness in front of me. “What about the candle? That seems pretty birthday traditional to me.”

“I’m trying very hard to break tradition here. You see, this candle that I’m about to light, is not a birthday candle.”

“No?” I giggled.

“Nope.”

“Then what is it?”

“Just a simple candle … wouldn’t hurt if you made a wish, though.”

Right, and we just mysteriously happen to be in a modern day fairy tale reality where magic is real and wishes come true!

“The rules are simple,” said Noah. “Think of me as … your genie.”

He’d be a hot genie.

“Make a wish out loud, blow out the candle, and your wish is my command.”

Oh, I liked this. Ireallyliked this.

“Where’s your magic lamp?”

He lit the candle and blew out the flame on the matchstick. “I don’t have a magic lamp, Aria. I have a magic wallet.”

Of course.I smiled.

“So can I make any wish?”

“Any wish that money can buy.”

Damn it.Well, there goes wishing he wouldsex me.

“Come on, what do you want the most?” said Noah.

Isn’t it obvious? I’m looking right at you!

“I … I don’t know. I don’t want anything.”

“Come on, baby. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of my money.”

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