But then, he’s more than just those things and only a few know that side of him. He’s kind and self-deprecating and is a natural protector.
The crowd shifts and relief spears me as I see familiar faces. Nathan’s younger brother Zayn’s leaning against the bar and his wife Sasha stands beside him. She lifts her flute in a salute when our eyes meet.
Max—Nathan’s best friend—is deep in conversation with Adam, Sasha’s brother. Even Mariska, Sasha’s best friend, my sometimes classmate at the community college—and the owner of Devil’s donuts that’s right next door to Sasha’s indie bookstore One More Page—is also here. Then I recognize a few more faces—a younger crowd that Sophie and I have known through high school and clubs.
“Surprise!!” Sophie screeches from the kitchen while running full speed at me.
Shocked, I have just enough sense to brace for impact against the wall as she throws her petite form at me. I’m shaking as she hugs me tight, her cheek soft against mine. “Happy birthday, Jazz darling!”
I push back from her hold and search her eyes. My heart matches the dangerous thumping beat from the speakers.
Sophie laughs, the distinctive gap between her front teeth making it all the more beautiful. “Did you think I’d forgotten this year?”
I laugh and it comes out as a strange, strangled kind of sound. “Of course I didn’t think that. You have been a bit out ofit the last few weeks and I thought maybe you just forgot to wish me this morning.”
“Ihave been out of it?” Sophie says, smirking.
Heat spreads across my face like a wildfire. Does she know? Has she seen me and Nathan together somehow? “No, that’s not what I—”
Sophie grins and kisses my cheek. “I’m so glad Dad suggested we throw you a party, Jazz. In all these years, you never let me spoil you even once. And this year, I was determined to do something special as it might be the last—”
I press my fingers to her mouth as I see Mr. Grayson’s broad form moving towards us. Panic and excitement and a burst of hope unfurl within me, stealing my thinking or speaking abilities.
Sophie sneaks a glance behind her. Her eyes flare as she meets mine, reflecting shock. I wait for her to deny it or that I’m building scenarios that don’t exist in my head.
Instead, she nods. And I see the truth of what she’d almost blurted out in her eyes.
She is leaving—it’s as real as my feelings for her dad.
Hot tears knock behind my eyes and I take a bracing breath to arrest them.
I hate this—we are best friends and we are both keeping secrets from each other. I resolve to have it out with her by the end of the night.
And Mr. Grayson too. I owe him better than hiding things from him that would eventually hurt him.
“OMG, Jazz! Please, don’t cry,” Sophie whispers, her blue eyes filling up. “It’s not like—”
“Why is Jasmine crying? Soph, what did you do?” Mr. Grayson’s voice is a rumble behind her and the entire party comes to a screeching halt.
My face turns red as I feel everyone’s gaze on me like a hundred, pointed laser beams.
Sophie lets go of my hand and automatically shifts to make space for him. I stare at her and the naughty twitch of her mouth, my belly sloshing. Apparently, my best friend has her own agenda.
“I didn’t do anything, Dad,” she says, infusing extra helplessness into her tone. “Apparently Jazz doesn’t like surprise parties. I guess one of us should have known that.”
Nathan’s frown deepens. He squeezes my shoulder and is about to pull me into him when I resist. He clears his throat and lessens the pressure. But doesn’t release me completely. I keep my eyes on his silver-grey ones, remembering his warning last time.
His mouth twitches as if he’s remembering the same.
Does he wish that I defied his direct order so that he will claim me in front of everyone? I’m almost tempted to test him on his threat. Almost.
His voice is a husky rasp when he speaks. “Not a problem. I’ll just ask everyone to leave.” And then before I can blink or breathe, he turns around, cups his hand around his mouth and shouts, “Party’s over. Everyone, get out.”
Murmurs grow around the large living room like the buzzing of bees and people stare at each other. Zayn and Max look at each other, then back at Nathan and smirk. Apparently, they’re not budging from the show we’re putting on. At my side, Sophie’s giggling.
“No, wait,” I say, grabbing Nathan’s wrist. “I don’t hate surprise parties. I just…”
He looks behind him and his mouth relaxes as he notices that Sophie’s disappeared. “You just what?”
