“Something… Fruity?”
“That sounds good,” Dallas says.
“I don’t know. I’m probably the only person with a background as sketchy as ours who didn’t do any underage drinking.”
Dallas looks at me. “Probably.”
We go over to a table in the corner, where he sets all the things down. “Why didn’t you drink?”
“I always felt like I needed to be in control.”
“Fair enough. You don’t have to be in control tonight, though. I am your designated driver for the evening. And I’ll be taking care of you. You can do whatever you want.”
I’m about to demand a cake reveal when Colt, Allison, and two people I’ve never met walk into the bar as a group. They see Dallas, though, and smile and wave.
“Hey, Sarah,” he says. “This is Gentry and Lily. And you already know Colt and Allison.”
“Hi,” I say.
“We’re just doing the very important work of deciding what Sarah is going to have for her first drink.
“Well, that’s very important,” Lily says.
“I had Laz make me a strawberry daiquiri,” Allison says. “My birthday was three months ago.”
“Is that sweet, and is it pink?”
“Yes and yes.”
“Then I guess I’ll have that.”
“I’ll order for you,” Allison offers cheerfully.
“Dallas,” I say, elbowing him. “Show me the cake.”
He looks a little sheepish, then hesitant, but pulls the cover off the cake, revealing quite possibly the most garish, hideous thing I’ve ever seen. The frosting is dripping, the top layer is sliding slightly to the left, and there’s too much of the pink sugar glitter, with larger, rounder pearls that seem to have been placed on top of the cake at random.
I know instantly that he made it himself.
I also know that it’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever been given.
In spite of myself and all my prickles, my eyes fill with tears.
“Dallas,” I whisper.
Colt turns away from the bar, two beers in his hand, andcomes over to the table. “Where did you have that made? I’ll make a note to never go there.”
“I made it,” Dallas says.
“Oh,” says Colt. “Well. It’s nice.”
“Fuck you.” Dallas scowls.
“You made that for her?” Allison asks. “That is so sweet.”
“Oh, that’sso sweet,” says Lily.
“It’s an ugly cake, guys.” Colt is being honest, but mean.
