“You left me for that?”
I examined Andrew’s perfectly defined abs and muscular arms, precious dimples, and that gorgeous face. Damn, he was hot. It never got old. “It’s not only because he looks like a model,” I said seriously.
“Yeah,” Andrew said, yawning. “She loves me for my brilliant mind.”
We all had glasses. Quinn raised hers and said, “To my sister, the most beautiful thirty-five-year-old I’ve ever known.”
We clinked glasses and drank. Well, Diana didn’t drink.
“To my best friend,” Marcy said. I braced myself for something raunchy or inappropriate, so it surprised me when she said, “Who is positively timeless.”
Diana raised her eyebrows at me, also surprised.
Price raised his glass. “To Gray, who put me in my place by dumping me for Mr. Universe.”
We all laughed. “Don’t forget he’s a professional athlete too,” Marcy said.
“Thanks, babe. That really helps ease the sting.”
Trey raised his glass. “To the woman who has taught me everything I know.”
I put my hand on my heart. “I didn’t,” I said.
He shook his head. “You did.”
Diana said, “Okay, I guess it’s me.” She sighed, tears welling up in her eyes. “To Gray, who took a woman off the street and gave her her life back. I’ll never forget it.”
I could feel the tears in my eyes too. I hugged her. “Diana, I didn’t give you your life back. You did that all on your own.” Iwiped her tears and said, “And, truth be told, I feel like you’re the one who gave me my life back.”
“Couldn’t talk you out of dating a damn teenager,” she said.
“Hey,” Andrew said.
I walked back over to Andrew, and he said, “Mine is simple. To Gray, the woman who was meant for me. May you look back on this as the very best year of your life.”
“Hear! Hear!” Marcy shouted.
Eight sixteen. One glass of champagne down. Several batches of tears. Thirty-fifth birthday right on track.
I had the joyous pleasure of being treated to a lovely lunch by my precious son, my darling boyfriend… and my estranged husband and his fiancée. This was the new normal.
Late that afternoon, Andrew said, “You want to go over to the beach and go for a walk?”
I nodded. “Sure. I’m thirty-five now. Need to be getting those steps in.”
A few minutes later, I was slipping my shoes off and putting my toes in the sand. Andrew and I walked for a while in silence. I’m generally not much of a reflector, but it seemed like a good time to reflect, with the waves crashing on the shore. My first thirty-five years had been good to me. College. An amazing company. A first marriage that had been pretty good. The best kid on earth. Andrew swooping into my life.Next thirty-five, I said to myself,you have a lot to live up to.
Interrupting my thoughts, Andrew said, “Well, my love, I’ve made peace with the fact that I’m never sleeping with a woman in her early thirties again.”
I punched him lightly on the arm. “I’m grateful, you know. Like, on the one hand, I’m so grateful that I’m here, and I’m happy and alive and at this point in my life.” I could feel my breath catching in my throat as I said, “You know, my brother didn’t get this chance. So I’m thankful for every day.” I paused. “But still, it’s like the end of my youth or something.”
“Yeah,” he said. “I get it.”
He stopped walking and looked at me, squinting from the setting sun in his face. He kissed me. “Gray, I’m going to love you until you’re one hundred and fifteen. I swear I am.”
I wanted to argue with him, but why? It was my birthday, and it felt nice.
He brushed the hair out of my face and kissed me again, lightly this time, so sweetly it almost brought tears to my eyes. “Do you want to marry me?” he asked. “I mean, I know you don’t want to get married now. But ever?”
