“Who would have known someone so salty likes it sweet,” Austin jabs with a wink.
Mouth wide, I take another bite and flip him off, causing everyone to laugh again.
Sean hops up from his seat and walks to the other side of the bus. “Now. For the best part. Here.” He pulls down a wrapped box from one of the high storage cupboards, smart hiding spot since I’d never be able to snoop there.
The paper is decorated in florescent rainbow guitars, something you’d pick for a child, but that detail along with the cake is so thoughtful my eyes water. It hits me that this wasn’t some last minute scheme. They planned this birthday surprise. I blink furiously until my eyes clear, and hook my finger under the folds of paper where it’s taped.
“Come on, Lex! Fucking rip into it!”
“You guys really shouldn’t have!” I say, their generosity overwhelming me once more. I rip the paper this time until it reveals a familiar pink striped box. Laughter bubbles from my belly and I shake my head as I remove the top.
Satin. Lace. Cotton, too. There’s got to be at least twenty pairs inside. “Oh, my God! You guys are such dorks!”
They erupt into boisterous laughter. Austin shouts for a runway show until Trent hits him in the balls. Sean grins, his cheeks patched with red, then shrugs when I meet his stare. Iz shakes his head, recounting how he didn’t join the others on their shopping excursion, but he hopes I like them all the same.
“Wait, the three of you picked them out?” I roll my eyes and I continue to laugh as I imagine what a stir that must have caused. “And you didn’t get kicked out?”
“Austin almost did.” Sean rats out his friend and they engage in a pseudo wrestling match until Trent yells at them to knock it off.
“As weird as it is, I love my gift. Thank you.”
“Wait, there’s one more,” Trent says and I catch a trace of confusion flicker across Sean’s face before Trent leans forward and pulls a box from his back pocket. It’s narrow, long, and wrapped in simple white paper.
I’m at a loss for words.
My tongue finds my lip ring and I flick it back and forth until all the paper is gone and I’m left with a brown cardboard box. If not for the color it would remind me of jewelry. I grip the lid, poised to open it, but stop to lift my gaze to Trent. The rest of the guys are silent and I can guess they have no clue what it is, either.
“Go on. Open it.” He pulls his lips into his stunning smile and a few locks of hair fall forward on his face.
When I pull the top off the box, I want to cry.
It’s one of those simple gifts with great meaning, and it’s as if he’s offering me more than simply a necklace. The chain is a bronzed metal and the pendant is the same tone, a rectangular strip of metal with lettering that appears hand stamped rather than engraved by a machine.HAKUNA MATATAthe metal reads in all capital letters. It’s understated but beautiful, and hands down the most thoughtful present I’ve ever been given.
I don’t realize a few tears have slipped past my eyelids until they splatter on the table.
“Dude, your gift sucks and now you made Lexi cry. Not cool, man.” Sean steps forward but Trent is closer.
Trent drops to his knees at my left. “You hate it?” His fingers cover the box but I snatch it away.
“No. No.” I shake my head and a few more tears fall. I blink my lids and meet his concerned stare. “I love it.”
His eyes widen with my words.
I lift my chin and smile at Austin, Sean, and Iz. “This has been the best birthday. Ever. Thank you.”
“She’s a real girl! She’s a real girl!” Austin says with a laugh and I roll my eyes.
“Just because I don’t cry all the time doesn’t mean I’m not a woman.”
“That’s for damn sure,” Trent mutters and takes the chain from my fingers. “May I?” He opens the clasp, and I barely manage a nod before he lifts his arms over and around my neck.
I turn my back to him and he fastens the chain. His fingertips brush the back of my neck and the room suddenly feels too hot. Definitely too full of spectators. The pendant rests just below the hollow of my throat, a perfect fit. I straighten my spine and turn in my chair. Trent’s gaze meets mine.
“Thank you.” I whisper so softly I’m not sure he hears the words.
His gaze is intense, full of the same heat that flushes my skin, and his lips kick up at the edges with that familiar smile. “Happy birthday, Lexi.”
Happiest birthday of my life.
