“Surprise!”
“What? No way,” I exclaim, trying my best to pull off the best acting of my life. Pour Decisions never looked better with all of my favorite people here to greet me as we walked in.
My mother rushes over to greet me, pulling me in for a hug. “Happy birthday, Trevor.” She squeezes me a little tighter and lowers her voice. “And thank you for not letting on to Addy that you knew what was going on. She would’ve been so disappointed.”
I pull back from her embrace, stunned she knew I’d figured it out. I didn’t think I’d had time to mess this up. Noah, Becca, and the boys come over to greet me, and I see Addy talking to Matthew and Dave at the bar.
“Your mom and I figured out a few days later that you probably overhead more than you let on. I think Addison had a few more drinks than we did.”
“You think? That’s the most intoxicated I’ve ever seen her. And you guys weren’t even in the same room.”
Becca giggles. “We adore her. I’m sorry you had to go through all of that last year with you know who, but it was worth it if it brought you to her.”
She’s right.
“Hey, man. Long time no see.” I look up to see Zach holding out a cold one for me.
I bring him in for a one-arm bro-hug. “Thanks for coming. I hope you can stay long enough to go fishing again.”
“Plan on it. I told Alex all about it on the trip down. He’s stoked.” Zach and Alex clink beer bottles before Alex reaches out to shake my hand.
“Happy birthday. It’s no wonder you speak so highly of this town. It’s beautiful, and everyone I’ve met is really down to earth.”
“Yeah. There’s no need for pretense here. It’s simple living.” I can’t say I can picture Alex moving here as long as he’s dating Ainsley.
“Alex. Thanks for coming. Hi, Mick,” Addison greets as she pulls Ava in for a tight hug.
“Oh, I can’t wait for a tour of your bake shop tomorrow,” Ava interjects. “How’s business?”
“It’s good. Sycamore Mountain is small, so I try to get the word out about what we offer to get orders from neighboring towns. We’ve been successful for being such a young business, but I want to push the envelope, you know? I’ve been thinking about trying some new concepts. I’d love to appeal to the women who throw garden parties. Maybe create cupcakes that would pair well with floral arrangements. Maybe collaborate with a flower shop nearby. But the only one in Sycamore is more of a greenhouse. The owners are older, and I don’t anticipate they’re interested in trying anything new.”
“That’s a great idea,” Ava says excitedly. I wish you could meet the girl from the flower shop Mick found. They create the most beautiful bouquets. And they’re all unscented because of my migraines. I can’t handle the pungent fragrance of many of the flowers.”
“Yeah, that place is a real find. You’d love Tuesday. She’s been working there for a while, but she’s only part-time. I think she’s still in college. I bet she’d be excited for the opportunity to join forces with you though. She seems like a real visionary.”
“Holy shit. I know Tuesday,” Alex interrupts. “That’s my best friend’s little sister. They aren’t kidding. She’s so creative. And a really sweet girl.” This girl must be something else. Alex is grinning with pride. “It’s a shame you two aren’t located a little closer together.”
“Yeah, it’d be tough to try a collaboration in two different states. Hopefully, I can find my own Tuesday.” Addy laughs.
What a small world.I notice Jason walk in and walk over to greet him. “Thanks for coming.”
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” He brings me in for a hug, and I actually start to feel a bit emotional. What a difference a year makes.
“Hey, did you guys get a cupcake?” Addy asks as she hands Jason a wrapped confection with mounds of icing atop it.
“Are those boobs?” Matthew asks.
Addy giggles into her hand, and I know he’s hit the nail on the head. “I made cupcakes of all of Trevor’s favorite things.”
“Uh oh,” I blurt.
“I can’t wait to see these.” Alex laughs.
Everyone heads to the table by the bar, where nearly a hundred decorated cupcakes appear on display—some I can pick out right away. One appears to have spaghetti and meatballs on it. That was my favorite meal growing up. And is that a… baseball card made of sugar? A row of cupcakes with edible baseball cards with my little league picture on them.
“That’s the baseball ring you kept in your pocket for nearly a year after your team won the tournament,” Mom says, pointing out a row of chocolate cupcakes decorated in bright blue buttercream with a toy ring perched in the center.
There are several with computers for my IT job and dozens with either red helmets or black boots.
