I shouldn’t be interested in that type of thing, right? I mean, I grew up being knocked around and seeing violence of all kinds almost every day, but with the way Atlas looks at me, and the husky tone of his voice, I know it’s different. He’d never actually hurt me, and judging by the warm sensation pooling in my stomach, my body is all for what he’s offering. If it’s with him, then I know it’ll be okay.
“Um, so presents?” I offer awkwardly,causing him to laugh. It warms my chest when Atlas lets this side out. I like carefree Atlas. I know he has baggage like me, but I choose to live my life happily, and I feel good. I want him to feel good too. He deserves it.
“There’s only one thing I want,” he confesses, brushing his lips against my neck.
Holding in a groan, I pull back. “We can’t do that right now.” I give him a pointed look. “You have guests.”
A teasing smile ghosts across his face. “That’s not what I meant, baby, but I like where your head’s at. I want that too, but there’s something else I want more.”
“What is it?”
“I’ll tell you when everyone leaves,” he promises, giving me one last quick kiss. “Now, what’s this about cake?”
The rest of the evening goes incredibly. The guys all take turns talking about their previous birthdays with each other, and it makes me feel a bit sad.
Atlas doesn’t have blood family to share this with but still seems okay. I shouldn’t feel sorry for him because I’ve learned that family isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and usually, the family we make is the best kind.
Atlas opens his gifts as we watch. The guys all got him some form of gag gift. I swear, it’s like they’re still children. Kash gave him some lottery tickets, reminding him that iftheywin, Atlas has to split it with him, and Rhett gave him a box of over-the-counter medicines, for his “old ass.”
Seth gave him a gift card for an online store he frequently uses. When he opens Emma’s gift, he freezes.
“What is it?” I ask him, trying to see inside the deep box he holds in his hands. Pulling out a small picture frame, Atlas stares at it for a few moments, not saying anything.
Walking toward him, I find it weird that he quickly puts it back in the box and shuts the lid. His eyes find Emma’s across the room, and he gets up, pulling her into his arms.
He leans down, and we all watch as she whispers into his ear.Nodding, he pulls back and gives her a small smile, like a child who was just granted their greatest wish.
“What is it?” I ask again as he reclaims his seat.
Shaking his head, Atlas puts the box off to the side. “Later.”
I don’t know if I can wait until later, but I guess I’ll have to. I look to the guys, but they’re all as confused as I feel. I hear Emma tell them to mind their own damned business when they question her about it.
We light the candles on Atlas’ cake. Instead of a bunch of small ones, we opted for the numbers and some that resemble mini sparklers. As he bends over the cake, I whisper, “Don’t forget to make your wish.”
Smiling at me, the flames flickering in his eyes, he holds my gaze as he blows them out. It shouldn’t give me butterflies, but it does. We hand out slices of cake, and Mila ends up with a dozen more customers, especially Kash.
I cringe when I hear him ask if he can eat her cake next, but Rhett steps in and smacks his arm. That man is something else.
Starting to clean up the party, Mila joins me at my side. “I wonder what that was about.” She glances over toward the box on the table. Atlas is with Emma again, but I’m going to respect his wishes. He can share it with me when he wants.
As I tie the last bag of garbage, I think about what a success the night was. Atlas stayed by my side for a lot of it, but then he also talked and joked with his friends and some of their close clients. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around which side of Atlas I have and who he really is.
“We’re heading out.” Kash, Rhett, and Seth are standing in front of me. Emma left a while ago, saying she was ‘too old for this shit.’
“It was a great party, Cora,” Seth comments as he leans in for a slightly awkward side hug.
“Thank you, Seth. I appreciate all you guys did.” I move to hug the others and feel arms pulling me back. Recognizing his scent, I smile up at Atlas.
“Nope. No hugs for them. Only me.” He lowers his head. “I’m the birthday boy,” he murmurs, making me blush.
“Yeah. On that note. We’re out. Lock up when you’re done, kids.” Kash wiggles his eyebrows as they file out. Mila and Mara wave goodbye and go with them. I watch Kash hold the door open for Mila, and oh my God. Did he just sniff her as she walked past?
Turning to face Atlas, he shakes his head with a smile. “What a weirdo.”
I give him a disbelieving look. “Isn’t that like the pot calling the kettle black?”
Shrugging his shoulders, he looks unbothered. His face gets serious as he looks at me. Heading over to lock the back door, he comes back and stands in front of me.
