His eyes widen. “It’s your body, Aara.”
“Wait,” I say, opening a large drawer to take out my small purse. I put a lip gloss into it and find my small wallet. “Didn’t I say it’s actually your body?” I wink when my words sink home.
“Great,” he exhales. “I’m hard again. Fuck being killed by a terrorist. I’m going to die by sex with you.”
I laugh. “And we haven’t even had sex without a condom. Imagine that.”
The uncomfortable tension rises again, and I don’t understand it.
“Are you ready?” he asks, looking at the watch he just put on. “We should go. I’ll drive. No one will question it because it’s your birthday. Maybe Marissa can drop you off at your place after? I’ll meet you there.”
I crinkle my brow in confusion. He doesn’t see it. He’s already brushed past me to head for the garage, the scent of his cologne and my soap lighting the air like a torrid reminder of what just took place. The uneasy feeling creeps in, and I can’t help but compare it to what Henry made me feel right before I caught him burning our relationship down to the ground.
* * *
Dagger and Marissa are carrying a black tiered cake with pink candles together. He’s on one side and she’s on the other, their eyes lock and I see the passion. I pause that feeling because I am surrounded, quite literally, by everyone I love. My parents are here, my dad trying to hang back away from me because he is the big boss and I’m his daughter. Even on my birthday. I respect him for that even if it does seem strange.
We’re out on the patio at Mayton’s. They’ve rented it out because there are so many of us. The twinkling lights and ivy add to the ambiance of the Happy Birthday song being sung by fifty off-key voices. Some say Aara, others say Aarabelle and I hear several say Dempsey. Luke has kept his distance since we got here and I’d like to believe it’s because I’m not wearing panties and he doesn’t want to tempt himself, but there’s woman’s intuition niggling in to scream at me that it’s more than that. Mom has her hand on my shoulder as I blow out the candles.
“I love you, baby. Happy Birthday.” Natalie Dempsey, my beautiful mother, looks impeccable tonight and Marissa confessed she had a lot to do with everything coming together. The last time I was here it wasn’t a good memory. My first memory of Mayton’s. Tonight has proven special. Sucking in a breath to blow out my candles and make a wish, Luke Hart enters my line of vision. I make eye contact with him, thinking of quite literally the only thing I think I need to wish for. I can work for the rest. Then I blow out the candles. Luke whispers something under his breath and disappears behind Sanders.
Dad comes up behind me and presses a quick kiss on the side of my head. “You can tell me what you wished for,” he says. Like he does every single year.
I reply like I do every year. “You know I can’t tell you or it won’t come true!”
He smiles, takes a swig of his beer, kisses my mom on the mouth and announces he’s going to find more drinks. Like we’re in a desert or somewhere that might not have drinks readily available. My smile fades at the prospect of my wish not coming true. More than when I didn’t get a pony or a kiss from Frankie Meyers in eighth grade. This wish feels more important than anything else. A smiling waitress comes over to cut the cake and begins handing out black frosting blobs to everyone. I take a bite, but my stomach sours when I see Luke on his phone in the back of the patio, near the fence. I can’t see his face, but I can tell he’s upset by the way he’s holding his body. I can’t let a man ruin my birthday. Especially when I know I don’t have anything to worry about.
“Thank you, Marissa,” I tell my friend as she shoves cake in her mouth. “I’m not sure how you did this without me knowing but it means a lot to me. Even if I hate parties more than my mortal enemies. This was a nice surprise.”
One sculpted brow raises. “It wasn’t hard. You’re busy getting stuffed every second you’re not working. You were really surprised?”
I shhh my friend, holding a finger up to my lips. “Jesus, be quiet. You know better.” Looking over my shoulder, I realize no one is listening to us.
“But really. You’ve been busy.”
“Fine, fine.” I finish my martini and set the glass down on a table. “But I’m sure I had a few minutes for my best friend to tell me she’s dating a scary monster.” I hiss out the last two words. “Come on! What are you thinking?”
She shrugs. “Maybe I’m not thinking. That’s so novel. I go with the flow and the sex is…well, the sex is good. No strings. Just sort of not worrying about what comes next and keeping things loose and fast.”
I raise my brows. “You even sound like Dagger!”
She laughs, tossing her head back. “Cool off. It’s no big deal. I promise. Don’t let it ruin your night.”
“You’re not ruining my night. He is.” I lean my head to the side where Luke is still on the phone. “He’s acting weird tonight. Not that I expect him to be a certain way, because he can’t. No one knows.”
“And you’re worried about me and Dagger? At least I don’t have to worry about who knows whom I’m sleeping with. You need to take a peek in the mirror, Ms. Sex Vacation in the Mansion by the Sea. It’s more scandal than sex with a scary monster.”
I know she’s joking, but it hurts a little. Wasn’t that what London ended up being? My stomach roils. The comparisons are happening frequently and I hate that I can’t control them. It’s where my mind wanders without my permission.
Dagger butts in, dirty martinis in both hands. “For you. And for the birthday guyrl.” He’s taken to calling me some girl guy hybrid. It’s mostly funny.
“Thank you.” We clink glasses and I drink half straight away.
“Where’s my boy?” Dagger asks, voice low.
I close my eyes. “Haven’t spoken to him since the drive-in.”
“He’s trying real hard,” Dagger says, touching his coifed hair.
