“Why do you keep checking your watch?” Ava asked as we strolled down the boardwalk.
“It’s getting late. It’s dinner time.” On cue, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I fished it out and read the text.
All set.
Perfect.
“Do you want to grab something before we head back to the house?” She surveyed the various shops and wrinkled her nose. “We didn’t stop for groceries.”
“We’ll get groceries tomorrow. I’ve got everything set for tonight.”
“Oh, are you going to flex your culinary skills for my birthday?”
“You’ll see.”
She gave me a curious look but smiled.
We reached the house just as the sun was vanishing. Ava slipped off her shoes for our trek across the sand. She climbed the steps ahead of me, her laughter still lingering from a joke I’d made about her souvenir choices. One of which included a lobster-shaped oven mitt… I didn’t understand it.
She stopped when she reached the top step and breathed, “Oh, my gosh.”
I smiled, already knowing what had her stunned. I stepped up beside her, watching her take in the scene.
The back porch had been transformed. A round table sat beneath a string of fairy lights. The linen tablecloth fluttered gently in the breeze. The table was lined with silver dish covers. There were crystal glasses and polished silverware. A bottle of wine was in a bucket beside the table.
Ava turned to me, eyes wide. “Lincoln… how did you?—?”
The screen door creaked open.
Ethan stepped out.
Ava froze.
“Hey, kiddo,” Ethan greeted her.
“Ethan…?”
He chuckled at her baffled expression and stepped forward to embrace her. “Happy birthday, Ava.”
I watched them with satisfaction as Ava closed her eyes and savored her big brother’s hug. It had bothered me that they’d been distant because of what I revealed months ago. Their relationship had always been a close one, and I knew Ava had been troubled by the rift between them. I had to make it right.
When they broke apart, Ethan said, “I helped Lincoln. He told me you two were coming back to Massachusetts for your birthday. He wanted to do something special. I volunteered to help because I felt like an ass for still thinking I had a say in your personal life. I sorted things out with a restaurant nearby, arranged to have the food brought over, and the table set as a gesture of good faith. You two have my blessing—not that you ever needed it. I’m sorry, Ava.”
She dashed away a tear and laughed. “It’s okay. I just want us to beusagain.”
“We will,” Ethan said, squeezing her hand. “After your time with lover boy over there…” He nodded to me.
Ava laughed, and I smirked.
“We’ll talk.”
“Okay,” she said, giving him another quick hug.
“Alright, I’ll leave you to it.” Ethan gave me a firm handshake, which Ava watched with a huge, hopeful grin.
Like her, I was happy about mending things with my childhood friend.
“Thanks, man,” I said.
