Kathleen chirps from behind us, craning her neck. “I didn’t know three people could be in a relationship,” she smiles. “But he explained it to us and how happy you all are. And that’s all we want for you. For all of you.”
Bill reaches for my hand, but I look at Jay for approval. I won’t make a single step forward until I know he’s on board with this. Marco and I already made big moves without telling him ahead of time. Jay’s brows lift and he nods quickly as a tiny smirk dances. So I shake Bill’s hand firmly. “Yes, I’m Cora. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“I’m Bill.”
“And I’m Kathleen,” she steps forward and eagerly shakes my hand too. “And you’re beautiful. How did you meet our Jaybird?”
Inwardly I melt at the adorable nickname, but he must see it on my face because Jay rolls his eyes and grins down at me.
How do I phrase our story delicately? “Well, we actually met a couple years ago and recently found each other again.”
“She’s my boss,” Jay tosses out with a devilish smile.
Kathleen’s hand clutches her imaginary pearls as my face heats up. “Jay! You’re in a relationship with your boss?”
He chuckles. “It’s hot, right?”
“And she was my client,” Marco adds with a mirroring look to Jay’s.
Oh my god, I must sound like a creep to them. With my hands, I cover my face. “I swear it’s not—I’mnot—I don’t,” I stammer.
“She’s incredibly successful, creative, intelligent, and kind,” Marco says, swooping in with his arms around me and saving me.
“She’s the kind of woman you bring home to meet the parents,” Jay adds.
Kathleen’s face softens and she gives her husband a knowing look, then back to us. “I wish we could have met you earlier. I’m sorry.”
“If it's okay with you, we’d like to help with your trip,” Bill says.
Jay tilts his head. “What trip?”
Oh no.That wasn’t supposed to be until later. Bill must see it on my face because he tries to correct himself, his eyes flicking from Marco to me. “Ugh, the ugh… trip to the store.”
I put my hand up to stop him from any more embarrassment and turn to Jay. Marco and I each take one of his hands. “For your birthday gift, we booked a trip to Seoul for the three of us.”
His features seem to change every half second as he processes this information. Like he can’t quite settle on one emotion. But eventually, his smile lingers. “You did?” he squeaks out, then clears his throat.
“We leave in May for two weeks,” Marco smiles back. “Unless you’d rather go somewhere else.”
“No, I wanna go,” he nods with excitement. “I absolutely want to go.”
“And if it’s okay with you,” Bill interjects, “we'd like to upgrade your flights to first class. And whatever hotel you’re booking, we’d like to upgrade you there as well. If we can help with any cultural experiences, we’d like to.”
Jay cocks his head toward them. “Seriously?”
I’m about to argue with them and tell them I can afford that on my own, but this really isn’t my moment or my apology. If Jay wants to accept it, then we will.
“Seriously, sweetie. We want the three of you to have the best time.”
“Party’s here!” a voice calls from the front door as it opens. Isabelle walks in like she owns the place holding two bottles of bubbly in one hand and a tote over her shoulder. “Oh, hey, Uncle Bill. Hi, Aunt Kath,” she smiles and raises her eyebrows as she walks right by us. “All good, Jay? Are we having a happy birthday or do I need to raise some hell?”
Jay chuckles, “It’s a happy birthday.”
The party is in full swing a couple hours later. Isabelle brought her own decorations and they have completely overhauled ours. Decorative fish are everywhere. Hanging from the ceiling, banners, necklaces, party hats, you name it.
Opening another package of fish party plates, I lean into Marco and ask, “What’s with all the fish?”
He chuckles, “He’s a Pisces.”
