I step on my tiptoes and plant a kiss on his cheek. “I’ll go get ready.”
* * *
Two hours later,we’re walking into Harpoons. I settled on a long tie-dye linen maxi dress that matches my pink hibiscus tattoo. I am wearing my copper hair in soft waves around my shoulders and gold hoop earrings. Josh looks incredible in a pair of gray hybrid shorts that hug his ass and a tight-fitting seafoam T-shirt with Cape May sprawled across the front. He grabs my hand as we walk up the steps to find our friends.
Gathered around the bar on the back deck, overlooking the bay with a little beach you can hang out on, are all of my nearest and dearest: Sophie, Liam, Jenna, Miles, Danny, Kristen, Steph, and Jack. Even Ellie and Robert are here. When they spot me, they all shout “Surprise,” confusing me and the other patrons around us.
“Why don’t you look surprised?” Sophie whines, stomping a foot. “We thought we had you.”
Josh laughs, then shoots me a wry look. “I had to tell her, or she wasn’t going to come.”
“You guys know how I feel about my birthday.” I shrug unapologetically. “Let’s pretend this is just a regular night out.”
“So, I should cancel the cake?” Jenna asks with a mischievous grin.
“Well, I didn’t say that.” We all laugh.
* * *
Hours later,aftera delicious dinner, complete with a sentimental toast from Josh that made me cry, we’re hanging out in Sophie and Liam’s backyard. Liam has taken the guys into his workshop, and they’ve left us ladies with several bottles of wine around the outdoor table. Remnants of my delicious cake are scattered about, and I start to move to clean up when Sophie grabs my arm.
“No way, birthday girl. Sit down and relax,” she scolds with a teasing grin.
“I was just trying to help.” I set the pile down in the center of the table as Stephanie, Jack’s wife, tops off my glass of rosé.
“Not tonight you’re not,” Kristen says from her end of the table. “We want the scoop on your man in there before he comes back out here.”
Leave it to Kristen to cut right to the chase. I roll my eyes, but I’m smiling as I take a seat next to Jenna. She slings an arm over my shoulder and gives me a squeeze.
“I don’t know if I’d call him that,” I say with a small, uncertain lift of my shoulders. “We haven’t even talked about it.”
Steph’s eyes go wide. “You wouldn’t call him your man? After that toast? After this whole night thatheplanned?”
“Oh my god, the toast,” Sophie swoons. “I teared up.”
“Me too!” Kristen agrees, vigorously shaking her head.
“It wassoromantic,” Jenna sighs.
“He’s a keeper,” Steph agrees.
It’s true. Josh’s toast was extremely sentimental. I close my eyes and take a breath, remembering his words. “To our birthday girl, Melanie. Thank you for showing me that I wasn’t really living. For bringing light back into my life and for seeing me exactly as I am. You mean the world to me, baby.”
I sniffle, as tears brim in my eyes.
Sophie sees it first and her expression falters. “What’s wrong, Mel?”
I shake my head, wiping away a stray tear. “It’s the wine,” I deflect, waving my hand.
Steph and Kristen look at each other, frowning.
“Are you sure, sweetie?” Jenna puts her hand on mine, squeezing.
I shake my head no but for some reason, I can’t find the words.
“Oh, Mel,” Sophie whispers, scooting closer to me. “Don’t cry, sweetheart.” She drapes her arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a hug.
I take in a shuddering breath, leaning into her embrace. “There’s just a lot he doesn’t know…about that time. That no one knows.”
