“I’m going to finally just be me.”
“Yeah,” Beckett smiled at me and patted me on the head like I was a child. “You and Odette.”
Beckett was right; this wasn’t all just about me, but about her, too.
I was going to come clean about who I was, with Odette next to me.
We were going to do this together.
“I’m ready.” I nodded my head to him, clicking the last move I needed before the cards automatically bounced to the top left of my screen, showing me the long-awaited fireworks.
Knock knock.
I looked at the time, not expecting Odette to be here until just before the stream. She was working on major edits forLeague of Warlocksand would be on calls all afternoon.
“That should be Jemma.” Beckett got up and answered the door, then brought Jemma to my office.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” I asked Jemma. I leaned back in my chair, trying to seem like I had my shit together.
“Odette’s birthday.”
Two simple words that had my whole attention. Jemma told me to pull together a plan and send it to her before making any official reservations. I’d sent it last night and wasn’t expecting her to come over to discuss it, especially not today.
“You read through what I want to do?” The plan I’d sent her was simple. A party at Odette’s house with her friends. Different small finger foods to eat throughout the night, a cookie cake, music, movies playing in the background, and that was about it. Having her friends over and being together was what I hoped would be a good enough stepping stone to get her comfortable with us celebrating her birthday every year.
“I did, and I like it. It’s simple enough for her to enjoy herself and not overwhelm her too much.” Jemma said.
I smiled to myself, proud of what I’d come up with.
“I would suggest maybe not on her birthday, mainly because this is a surprise and she would absolutely know what was going on.”
“When do you suggest then?”
“The day before should be okay.”
“You’re streaming that day,” Beckett spoke up. I’d forgotten he was in the room with us.
“Shit.”
“No,” Jemma started to bounce on her feet with excitement. “That can totally work!”
She was clapping her hands together now.
“If you’re streaming that day, she won’t suspect what is going on. I can take her out for a pre-birthday fun day. Mainly Mexican food and shopping, she wouldn’t suspect a thing. I told her that I’d spoken to you about her birthday, so she’ll probably think you are doing something on the day of. I can get some of her team to assist with setting things up while we are out, and Beckett can help with that too.”
“I’ll do it.” Beckett immediately agreed to Jemma’s proposal without a second thought.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him fold so easily.” I was talking directly to Jemma now.
“He’s easy to fold.” She winked at me before giving a little finger wave to Beckett and heading out. “Don’t fuck tonight up!”
Jemma yelled, and then I heard the front door open and close, leaving me and Beckett alone again.
“I’m going to, um,” Beckett pointed in the direction of his house. “Go.”
“Yeah, you do that.” I laughed as he practically sprinted out of my house, no doubt trying to catch up to Jemma. I refocused on my setup for this evening. I wanted to make sure I had everything I would need at my desk for the stream. The only thing that was missing was Odette next to me.
She’d be here soon, though, and by the end of the night, I’d finally be able to be myself again.
