I ponder for a moment. “Can I have donuts?” I smile and peck her lips.
“Absolutely. I’ll call Glaze of Glory tomorrow morning.”
“My girlfriend is the best.”
“I agree.” She plants a kiss on me and turns to leave.
“Hey,” I call out, stopping her. “Any plans for dinner tonight?”
“No. I actually have a couple big assignments due by midnight.”
“Okay, cool. Pete asked if I’d swing by Brew and have a beer with him. Talk party details. It’s weird I’m weighing in on my own birthday, isn’t it? It feels weird.”
“It’s also the McKay Method launch day. Maybe think of it as your launch party. Either way, go hang out with Pete. I’ll crank out my assignments and maybe enroll in the certification program.”
“I thought you wanted to wait for summer break to do that.”
“I think I can handle it. School isn’t as hard or time-consuming as I thought. Especially now with Brew shut down till spring.”
“Okay, Einstein. Knock yourself out. You riding back with me? I’m done for the day.”
“Yep. I’m good to go when you are.”
The domesticity of the entire conversation has me grinning like a lovesick puppy. It lasts all the way home. I shower quickly, change clothes and drop a kiss on Ever’s head on my way out to meet Pete. With her earbuds in, books and laptop littering the coffee table and her butt planted on the floor in front of the couch, she barely looks up, blowing a kiss in my general direction. That she’s locked-in makes me proud. My lovesick smile is back as I swing the door closed behind me.
***
“I think simple is always better.” Pete takes another swig of beer and sets the icy bottle neatly on the coaster. Brew is empty, so we’re sitting at a table in the center of the dining room. The view beyond the glass wall of windows is pitch black. We walked through all the details, including how to mirror Ashley’s Zoom Room ontothe big screen so the launch party from down south can be part of the birthday here in Blue Lake. Everything he mapped out looks tasteful but keeps the vibe of lake town.
I’m gratefully relieved. “See? This is why I need you running the show. You won’t let this thing get out of control.”
My answer is his low laugh. But he promised he’ll keep it low-key. “Sometimes the celebrationfor youisn’tabout you. Sometimes it’s about the people that care about you needing to show it. And in that case, it’s up to you to find a way to let them because you care about them too.” Pete quietly picks up his beer again and takes a long sip, staring into the darkness.
I don’t know what to say, so I don’t say anything. I just sip my beer too and wonder if Pete moonlights as a therapist. His words perfectly worm their way into my soul. I’d do anything for the people I care about—including indulging them in this birthday party, I guess. Downing the last of the hops from my bottle, I pick up Pete’s empty bottle and drop them into the recycle canister. Shaking his hand, I say, “I appreciate you, Pete. And I’m counting on you to keep this thing small. If you can do that, I can let them . . . care about me.” I say that with a wink so he knows I’m being sincere and not a smart-ass.
“You got it. You still coming by tomorrow?”
“Yep, after my Fit sessions. I’ve decided to keep the apartment. I want to expand it and use it for people that fly in and need a place to stay.”
“Love that idea. Let me know if you want help. I love a good reno project.”
“Will do. Have a good night, Pete. And thanks again.” I push through the glass door and step into the pitch-black parking lot. It’slater than I’d planned to stay. I wonder if Ever is still awake as I hop into the Jeep and steer toward home, my thoughts already consumed with her.
***
Although I have no solid reference or comparison, the birthday party was perfect—low-key but festive. Kicked back in the dining area of Brew, I swallow the lump in my throat as I reflect on the night.
“Did you have a good time tonight?” Ever wraps her arms around my neck from behind as I sit staring into the night, sipping the last of my beer like I had two weeks ago with Pete.
“I did.” Setting my bottle on the table, I reach my hands up and rub them along one arm still curled around my neck.
With her other she reaches for my beer and tilts it to her lips. Once she takes a long sip, she returns it to the coaster and plants her cold lips on my neck. Almost everyone is gone now. I still hear Pete clanging a few dishes in the kitchen. Snaking one of my arms around her waist, I swing Ever onto my lap sideways. Covering my cheeks with her hands, she brings my face to hers for a lingering kiss.
Ever is bolder and more confident in our relationship now than she was even two weeks ago. It’s like ourplot twistdissolved any lingering shyness. She asks for what she wants or takes it, like now. Her kiss is hungry. Her tongue is cool, tangling with mine, and tastes like malt. I like it. It doesn’t stay cool for long though. The kiss itself is heating my whole body and hers.
Pete clears his throat from the swinging doors of the kitchen behind us. “Goodnight, lovebirds. I’m out. Only thing left is to lock up.”
We don’t startle or separate immediately. Not anymore. We just stop kissing. I crank my head to look back, and Ever looks up over my shoulder. She’s the first to respond.
