Page 6 of See Through

“Dean, really, this is very nice, but it’s not like I found a new planet. This is unnecessary.”

“Not to me.” I slide the cake onto the counter, setting the balloons down behind me as I unveil the cake. It’s her favorite color—pink—with a few different shades and decor around it. Small candied pearls sit in the center of every flower, and there’s writing in the middle.

“Congratulations on one million,” she reads as she stares at it. “It looks yummy. When did you have time to do all of this? You were working all day.”

“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that we’re celebrating you, so have a seat. Let me pour you a glass and cut you a slice of cake.”

“Wait.” She grabs my arm, freezing me. “Will you take a picture of me with the cake and balloons?”

“Of course I can.” I grab her phone from her as I set the balloons down. They create the perfect background for this picture, her small smile making me beam with pride. “You look adorable, Aubs.”

“Don’t make me blush, idiot.” I love making you blush.

“I’m so proud of you.” I drop my tone so she knows I’m serious. Rather than looking at the camera, she’s now looking at me behind it—just how she does when we film.

She carefully sets the cake down. “You’re going to make me cry.”

“I’m serious, though. This is huge. One million people follow you to see what you create. That’s insane, and you deserve every ounce of success.”

She wipes a tear from her face before she thinks I notice she’s crying. “Thank you.”

“How big of a piece do you want?” I change the subject.

“Decent sized. It is my favorite.”

I cut us both a piece before I settle on the chair next to her, the two of us eating in comfortable silence. I hadn’t even bothered to open the champagne I brought. We can save that for another time, or she and Maven will kill the bottle when they have girls' night. I’m sure she called her earlier to congratulate her as well. Those two are more attached at the hip than Cooper and I.

“How was work today? Did anyone give you a hard time?”

“Besides Cooper?” I shake my head. “Everything was fine. He’s the same usual pain in my ass.”

“I think all that darkness you two sit in all weekend isn't good for you.”

I shrug. “Maybe so, but I can’t see anything otherwise.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder. “The place emailed me back and said we’re good to go once the weather clears up. Does Thursday work for you?”

“Every day works for me when you’re the one asking. You know that.”

She holds her hands up in defense. “You could have made plans with Cooper or something. You know I love to double check.”

“I know, gorgeous,” slips out before I can stop it. “But, uh, I-I’m good to go for then.”

“Good.” She takes another bite. “So, what do you want to do tonight? Watch a movie? Or I can kick your ass at poker again. Or we could–”

“Whatever you want to do, I’m okay with. Though, I have to work tomorrow, so I might fall asleep on your couch at some point.”

“You know that’s fine.” She smiles. “It’s nice waking up to you making me breakfast because you feel bad for taking over my couch.”

Or I just love doting on you? “It’s the least I can do.” I start cleaning up the mess I made, rinsing the plates in her sink. I need to keep myself busy, or else I might do something stupid, like whisk her around the room or grab her hand, knowing it would fuck up everything. “He would be proud of you too, you know.”

Her hair falls in front of her face, and she doesn’t bother moving it. “You think so?”

“I do.”

“I’ve been thinking about him a lot today.” I wait for her to continue. “He’s the whole reason I decided to drop out and pursue this. I just wish he was here to see all this.”

“I know,” I say as I set the plate down, sliding over to her in case she needs some comfort. She used to talk about her brother all the time before his death. Basically every time I saw her, I asked her how he was doing. Then, after the accident, she stopped. I think mainly because it’s too hard for her to talk about him in the past tense, and her grief is still more prominent than ever. I know she doesn’t talk to her parents about her brother, and anytime they check in, it always ends poorly.