“Better than breakfast,” he says, setting me on my feet but holding on until I catch my breath.
I blink, still somewhat dazed.
“Just needed a taste,” he explains, gesturing toward the door. “Ready?”
I manage a nod. He picks up a birthday present off the counter, and off we go.
Much later, after I loaded my van, to Jason’s complaining about how it is an old piece of shit and he wishes I drove something safer, we arrive at his cousin Gabe and Izzy’s apartment. It takes us three trips to carefully carry everything upstairs. Kelsey is running the shop, so Jason helps, this time listening to me grumbling about how it’s my job and I can do it myself.
We arrive with the last of my goodies when Izzy greets us at the door, kissing Jason on the cheek and pulling me inside. “Come. Let’s set up so we can have fun.”
Izzy’s warm nature and constant laughter are contagious. As we ready the small wood boxes with s’mores pops inside on the table set aside by the front door so guests can take their gift when they leave, Izzy touches a box and sighs. “I just love these.”
“I picked up light blue ones so it fit a boy’s party,” I explain.
“Thank you. They look so enticing sitting here. So? Aren’t you going to leave your business cards, too? I’m sure you want people to hire you for similar parties.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. “Of course I do, but I didn’t want to take advantage. I assumed if you were happy, you would spread the word.”
Izzy grins. “You bet I will. But leave your cards, too.” She nudges me gently with her elbow, so I dig through my purse and fan my Sweet Treats cards out on the table beside the party favors.
With a satisfied nod, Izzy leads me back into the main area of the apartment. “Everyone will be here soon. I have to confess I went a little overboard. There are caterers in the kitchen. Butat this age, the kids still come with their parents and I wanted everyone to have good food.”
I like the bubbly blonde. I glance across the room to where Jason stands talking with a tall man with sable hair and dark blue eyes. He has a dominating presence, commanding the room.
“That’s my husband, Gabe,” Izzy says, following my line of sight. “Come meet him.” She takes my hand and pulls me across the floor to where the men stand.
After introductions are made, Jason takes me off guard by wrapping an arm around me and pulling me against him. “Gabe recommended the private investigator who’s looking into your brother,” he says quietly.
I nod, hating the reminder. Although I’m living at Jason’s, I try my best not to focus on Colton when I can help it.
“Renault is the best,” Gabe says in a soothing tone. “He’s also a bodyguard if you need one. It might take time, but he’ll locate your sibling.” Before we can say more, the doorbell rings at the same time as Noah walks into the room, rubbing his eyes.
“Hey, buddy!” Gabe strides over to his son, kneels down, and lifts the little boy into his arms. “It’s time for your party.”
“Party, yay!” He wriggles to get down just as friends walk into the room and the birthday party begins.
Suddenly we’re surrounded by children, and Jason grabs my hand, pulling me to the side. Parents divide off into groups who know each other, while Gabe keeps a close eye on his son and Izzy flits from person to person, making sure everyone is happy.
The doorbell rings, and a life-size costumed Dalmatian with a red vest and firefighter hat on his head enters the apartment.
He stumbles into the room and the kids yell and laugh.
“I’m good!” he says as he is surrounded by children.
“Marshall from PAW Patrol,” Gabe says, followed by, “I need a drink.”
Jason laughs. “I bet you never thought this would be your life,” he says to his cousin.
Gabe glares at him. “You have no idea. But… I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” he says, his voice softening along with his expression as his gaze goes from his wife to his little boy, who is sitting on the Dalmatian’s lap.
“I’m going to take pictures,” Gabe says. He walks over to Izzy, pulls her away from her friends, and wraps an arm around her while they watch their son interacting with the other kids.
I sigh, viewing them, a feeling of longing tugging in my chest.
“What are you thinking?” Jason asks.
I bite the inside of my cheek, uncertain if I want to answer with the truth.
