Chilly hands with sparkly gold rings on every finger cover my eyes. “My senses are tingling. I sure hope everything said about me was pleasant.”
When I turn around, Adri’s pink dress glitters under the pendant lights. Tonight’s dress code is all shades of pink, and everyone is complying. Jo’s bubblegum sweatsuit looks incredibly comfortable. Mallory’s cardigan and Kenneth’s flannel are the same shade. The rose-colored tee I found in my closet is slightly faded but passes for pink.
Jo pushes a beater toward me and hands Adri the icing-covered spatula. “I don’t know anybody who can eat sweets like you two. Yet neither of you have ever had a cavity. It’s unfair.”
Rich chocolate melts on my tongue. Jo makes the treats, but she’s a savory kind of girl.
“Hiya, Cade,” Adri says. “Can’t believe you didn’t come to Jo’s and my parties.”
“You know I was in Boston or I would’ve been there.” Stepping forward, I wrap them both in a quick hug before Jo can scurry away from the physical touch. “Congrats on graduating. You’re CLU alumni.”
Like I could have been, except I left before getting my diploma.
“Stop it. You almost sound like a big brother.”
“I practically am. How many parties did I pick you up from? And what about the bad dates I bailed you out of? Remember that magician who—”
“Okay!” Adri shouts, tossing a kazoo at my face. “No need to air all my dirty laundry.”
“We already know about it,” Jo mumbles, pulling a tray of cookies from the freezer.
Tired of what she calls bullying, Adri stomps out of the kitchen but blows us a kiss before disappearing.
I take a moment to appreciate Jo’s precise and steady hands as she pipes icing onto the cooledS-shaped cookies. That skill will come in handy when she becomes a world-renowned surgeon.
“So,” I start, “is it just us tonight?” Mallory would’ve warned me if a guy were coming, but I didn’t have the courage to ask. And Jo doesn’t care as much about hurting my feelings. I like that about her.
A rare tenderness overtakes Jo’s meticulous features. She knows what I’m asking, but we both know I don’t have a right to.
Finally, she says, “Yup. Shay doesn’t have much time for anything but work these days. Dating is definitely off the table.”
The knot in my gut releases, but a wave of sadness hits me as high beams float in through the large windows and bathe the living room with light.
Bursting into action, Jo piles cookies onto a glass tray. Mallory sprints from the back with Adri close behind, their arms filled with pink gift bags and boxes. Tonight, Shay will be surrounded by her favorite color with her favorite foods and the people she loves.
And one person she probably hates.
“Take your positions!” Mallory orders, standing in the corner of the living room with a confetti cannon. Adri holds a pink shot glass, and Jo crouches by the light switch.
Then I remember that Shay hates surprise parties.
“Hello?” Shay opens the door. “Why are the lights off?”
With a primal scream, Mallory releases the confetti cannon.
“Surprise!” everyone shouts.
“Mother fu—” Shay chops wildly at the air, as if preparing for a fight. The terror that flickers in her wide eyes fizzles as they roll, exasperated. “You assholes! I said no surprise parties.”
“Yeah, and I said no clowns.” Adri grimaces. “And guess who showed up atmyparty.”
“He was a balloon artist!” Mallory argues. “I didn’t think he’d come dressed as a clown.”
“His name was Bozo, Cap! What non-clown person is named that?” Adri kneels in front of Shay and holds out the shot glass. “Tequila for the graduate.”
Thick lashes flutter as Shay takes it, and the room cheers as she swallows the clear liquid without wincing. Their laughter is louder than the cannon still ringing in my ears, but I wouldn’t turn the volume down if I could.
Then she spots me, and her eyes narrow. She may have known I was coming, but she’s not happy about my presence.
