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I swing my legs back and forth like a giddy child as we sit on the stage.
“What do you want for your birthday?” Skylenna asks, then pauses in thought. “Within reason, of course.”
Hmm. Within reason. I sway back and forth in a little thinking dance. I’d ask to kiss Marilynn again, but come on, I’m no pervert.
What could they give me that would make this wonderful day that much better? What could—
Dessin crosses his arms over his chest. The movement steals my attention, roping me in until…I’ve got it! There is only one thing I want in the whole world. It will make this the best day of the year. We’ll never forget it.
“I’ve got it.” My eyes must look crazy. Excitement buzzes through me in a flash. My legs start shaking.
Dessin does a double take. Eyebrows crawling up his forehead.
“No,” he says without hesitation.
“And you can’t say no!” I blurt out in a panic.
“He’s right, Dessin. It’s Niles’s birthday.”
The urge to release an evil bout of laughter is more than tempting. But Dessin, for the first time since I’ve known him, looks genuinely nervous. His hands are fidgeting. Fidgeting!
“I want us to have a secret best friend handshake,” I announce without breaking eye contact with him.
“All of us?” Ruth asks.
“No.” I cross my arms, rising to my feet to mimic Dessin’s posture. “Just me and Patient Thirteen.”
Dessin glares at me for a long moment. He’s not breathing. Not blinking. I giggle on the inside.
“Why?” The intimidating idiot has the nerve to ask.
“Because I want us to be best friends,” I answer simply.
Skylenna coos, sweet little oohs and awes. Dessin’s sigh sounds painful, as if an arrow is being extracted from his chest.
“Forever.” I add the life sentence on with a final tone that implies negotiations are not on the table. This will be binding. Forever and ever. Amen.
“Fine.”
“You’re okay with that?” I push like a giant asshole.
“I said fine, didn’t I?”
“Then why is your eye twitching?” I narrow my gaze on him.
Warrose throws his head back and lets out a laugh that is infectious. Everyone except for Dessin and me snickers at his expense.
“Let’s get this over with.” He practically growls each word.
“Yippy!” I leap, clicking my heels together.
Standing in front of the oversized meanie, I realize, maybe for the first time, that he’s definitely taller than me. Not sure I like that, but what can you do? His creepy, dark gaze looks bored, but his jaw is clenched so tightly that I wouldn’t be surprised if his bottom row of teeth was wired together with his top row.
I rub my hands together, levitating with sheer joy and sadistic satisfaction.
“Okay. First move, fist pump, like this…” I hold my fist out to tap his, only to be greeted with a semi-violent punch, making my knuckles yelp in pain. “Ouchie, yep. Good job, big guy.”
