Page 103 of Under the Radar

I towed her behind me. “I don’t think—” she started, then gasped as everyone yelled, “Surprise!”

I grinned at her. “The party is for you, Cinnamon.” I bent and kissed her. “Happy birthday, baby.”

* * *

HANNAH

I looked around in shock and astonishment. All of our friends were there. People from work. My mom. The local band, the Frozen Tundra, we had been to see and enjoyed so much was onstage, currently playing “Happy Birthday.” The place was decorated, the air smelled incredible, and the bar was open. A table had presents piled on it. Balloons were attached to chairs and flowers everywhere. It was incredible. I was hugged and kissed, going from person to person. When I got to my mom, she hugged me fiercely.

“He did it all,” she whispered. “Organized everything. That boy is crazy about you.”

I looked over at Chase, who was watching me, his eyes soft, his smile wide. The love I felt for him filled me up totally. He was it for me. He winked, and I blew him a kiss, which made his smile even wider. I finally made my way back to him, and he pulled me close. “Hey, birthday girl.”

“You did all this?”

“I had help.”

“You are amazing. I love you.”

He grinned. “I love you. Now let’s get a drink and enjoy your day.”

Chase made sure my favorite items from the menu were on the large buffet Zeke set out. The drinks were plentiful and cold. The music rocked. I ate and danced. Laughed and talked. Drank some of the delicious concoctions Charly had Zeke make up, but I didn’t go overboard. I wanted to remember every minute of tonight. I’d never had a party before. No one had ever given me one either. But Chase had. Quietly. Without a fuss and without spilling the secret. I never had a clue.

I laid my head on his shoulder as we swayed to a quiet song. I loved being held by him. He pressed a kiss to my head. “Having a good time?”

I tilted my head up. “The best.” I leaned up on my toes and kissed him. “Thank you, Chase. For all of this. It’s been the best birthday ever.”

He smiled. “The night isn’t over.”

“What?”

He chuckled. “There’s cake.”

He turned me, and I gaped at the large cake being carried from the kitchen. Sparklers and candles glittered. Pink and purple flowers adorned the layers. Everyone started to sing, and Chase wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight to his chest. He sang in my ear, his voice low and slightly off-key but still perfect. It took three tries to blow out the candles, and then the kitchen cut slices for everyone. They all wanted me to open the gifts, and I enjoyed the whole thing. I received some wonderful, thoughtful gifts. Some fun ones. Useful items. I loved them all.

Then I heard a voice clearing in the microphone, and I turned to see Chase onstage. He waved me closer so I was in front of him. He smiled down at me.

“Today, we celebrate Hannah’s birthday. Some of you have known her a long time, some are fairly new, and of course, her mom has that special connection. We all know a different Hannah, and she means something unique to each of us. The one thing we all have in common is that we love her. The difference there, though—” he stopped and swallowed, meeting my eyes “—is that I love her more.”

There was a chorus of oohs, and I had to wipe my eyes as tears slid down my cheeks.

“So tonight, I want to wish the love of my life a happy birthday. Thank you, Hannah, for loving me. For giving me a home. Because where you are is home.” He paused. “I love you.”

“I love you,” I replied.

He stepped off the stage and stood in front of me. He cupped my cheeks and kissed me, then stood back. He smiled at me. “I have a gift for you too, Hannah.”

I shook my head. “You gave me this party.”

He winked. “That was for our friends, so they could celebrate with you. This gift is only for you.”

My heart began to beat harder. My breathing picked up. He looked intense. Serious.

“It sort of comes with a request. I want to give you my heart, Hannah. Forever. I want to share my life with you.” He dropped to his knee and opened his hand, a small box resting on his palm. “If you accept that, I would also like to give you this.”

I heard some gasps around me. My mom said my name, her voice filled with wonder.

I met Chase’s eyes.