Chapter Eighteen
Maisie
Three Months Later
“Please tell me you didn’t forget the balloons,” I say as Charlotte enters the event hall we rented for the evening, two bags in hand but no balloons in sight.
“Relax, birthday-zilla. They’re in the car. I didn’t have enough hands to carry all this in at once.” She holds up the bags in her hands. “Where do you want these?”
“Over there.” I point to the long table against the wall.
“Mac better damn well appreciate all the effort we’ve all gone through for this party. Seems a bit over the top if you ask me.”
“If I remember right, we threw quite the party for you when you turned twenty-one,” I remind her. Lyric and I spent weeks planning it.
“Yeah, but that was twenty-one. He’s turning twenty-two. It’s not even a big birthday.”
“Well, it’s big to me. It’s the first birthday of his thatwe’ll have spent together, and I want to make it memorable. Now stop questioning my motives and go put those on the table.”
“Yes, drill sergeant.” She does a mock salute, though it doesn’t turn out very well given the bags she’s holding. All she really manages to do is hit herself in the face with one.
“Mais.” I turn to see Lyric approaching, clearly fighting with the string on the foil swirls that are meant to be hung from the ceiling, but thus far have not gotten there. “I’m having a heck of a time.” She huffs out a breath of frustration. “Will you see if you can get this dang thing unknotted?”
“Of course.” I take the decorations from her, making my way to one of the various tables set up throughout the space before taking a seat. Spreading out the swirls, I work through the two knots Lyric was fighting with, though it takes me far longer than I anticipate.
“You’re really going all out on this,” Lyric says, gesturing around the large room.
“I just... I want to make this birthday special.”
“Of course you do. It’s the first birthday you’re celebrating together.”
“See, you get it. Char thinks I’m nuts.”
“She does not. She just doesn’t understand large, public displays of affection.”
“It’s a birthday party.”
“A birthday party you’re jumping through hoops to make perfect because it’s for someone you love. Do you know what Char did for River’s birthday? She surprised him with breakfast in bed and that’s where they stayed the entire day. Though I’d rather not think about what they were doing.” She crinkles her nose.
“Oh, I intend to spend some of his birthday in bed.” I letout a soft chuckle. “But first, I want to throw a party so epic that no other birthday party will ever compare. There,” I announce, finishing the last knot.
“And so you will.” She takes the decorations, pushing to a stand.
“We will,” I correct her. “None of this would have been possible without your help.”
“Please. All I’m doing is hanging decorations. River and Kai are doing the real work. I can’t believe those two managed to build an entire set for photo ops. Who knew they were so handy?” She chuckles.
“Well, either way, you are all making this possible, and I can’t thank you enough for all your help.”
“Of course. That’s what friends are for.” She smiles, the action lighting up her entire face.
Most days, I’m convinced that Lyric is a saint sent down from the heavens to share her goodness with the world. She is a light in an otherwise dark tunnel, and I won’t ever not be grateful for the twist of fate that put us together freshman year.
“Here are your balloons, bitch.” Char appears, holding four bouquets of balloons so large it’s a wonder she doesn’t float away.
I have to bite back a laugh at the stark contrast between my two best friends.
“Finally,” I tease, rising to meet her. “Let me take these two.” I separate two of the bouquets, taking them from her. “If you could tie those off by the door.” I gesture to the remaining balloons in her hand. “I’ll take care of these.”
