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A rush of panic settled into her chest and her eyes went wild. This was stupid, Cali. You don’t know this man.
“You brought me to your house? Why?”
War’s tone was even, relaxed and soothing in a sense, when he answered. “I wanted to do something special for you and I didn’t know how else to get it done.” He pulled around the circular drive, parking behind his sister’s SUV. He was grateful she was still here, hoping her presence would help Cali relax.
“But I don’t get it. I just…this isn’t a good idea.”
With a dip of his chin War’s eyes leveled with hers and he brushed a hand down his face. “Can you just come inside for a minute? You’ll see. I promise I’m not on any weird shit. That’s not who I am, Cali.”
Just as she turned to look at the house again, a woman stepped out of the front door. Cali’s eyes narrowed, taking in the dark skinned beauty. Seconds later those narrowed eyes shot over to War.
“Who the hell is that?”
An amused smile eased onto his face. “My sister,” he tossed out before opening the door.
Cali checked her out again realizing that it was the same woman in the picture. Her hair was different but her face was the same and aside from being a few shades darker, she looked identical to War. Reluctantly she got out of the car and followed him up the stairs where War hugged his sister and kissed her cheek. “We good?”
She rolled her eyes before they bounced over to Cali who she extended a hand to. “I’m Kirsten and you are?”
“Cali.” She shook Kirsten’s hand, feeling unwelcome until Kirsten smiled widely, allowing it to reach her eyes.
“I don’t know who you are but you must be important.” She winked at Cali before extending a hand to her brother.
He shook his head, removing all the cash he had in his pocket, handing the stack over. It wasn’t much in comparison to what was stashed in the multiple safes throughout his home but it was enough to get her out of his hair for now. Kirsten grinned, tossing out, “’Preciate you, big bro. Happy birthday, Cali.”
War stepped forward, opening the door while waiting for Cali to follow. She smiled like a child when she noticed the balloons in various shades of green scattered around the foyer.
“She did this?”
“Depends, you like it?”
Cali grinned harder, nodding. It was simple but perfect. “You really didn’t have to.”
“Yes I did. Come on, there better be more than this since she just hit me for five stacks.” He groaned, traveling through the foyer to the dining room. His sister had texted him with instructions that everything was set up there.
As soon as Cali stepped into the dining room, noticing the display, her eyes watered. There were more balloons consuming the space, weighted down with vases filled with flowers and several more brushing the ceiling while the strings attached hung low enough to sweep the floor, creating a maze of silver and green.
On the table there was a two tier cake in various shades of green fondant decorated in roses made of icing. A huge bouquet of tropical flowers was next to the cake, tied together with a massive green silk ribbon and centered with a crystal charm. Happy birthday was spelled out on a glass tray in chocolate syrup and decorated with chocolate covered strawberries.
“Wow.” Cali’s shoulders sank at the thought of a stranger putting this much effort into her birthday. Not even Merritt would have done such a thing. He wasn’t necessarily the romantic type. He was more of a protector and a provider.
“Hey, you good?” War noticed her eyes glossing over. That wasn’t his intent. His intention was to put a smile on her face not make Cali cry.
“Yeah, I just… this is perfect. Thank you.”
“You sure?” His eyes lowered on Cali while she stared blankly at the table. Regardless of the fact that his sister had set it all up, he made the call and the request. It was sweet and far more than he had to do for a stranger.
“I’m sure. Will you tell her I said thank you?”
War smirked and nodded. “For spending my money? Yeah, I’ll do that.”
Cali laughed, shaking her head. “No, tell her I said thank you because this is perfect. It’s absolutely perfect.”
“You might want to slow down a little bit.” War sat comfortably on his sofa, arms spread wide across the back, legs extended in front of him while he watched Cali who was sitting cross-legged on the matching ottoman with her hand wrapped around a bottle of champagne.
It was her second. The first she finished off using a glass to measure, while the second she decided to drink straight from the bottle after War told her to do her thing. He wasn’t much of a drinker and instead stuck to the Hennessy he favored when he did indulge.
Cali’s eyes were low and her smile was wide as she assured him she was fine, or at least attempted to. “This is light work.” She held the bottle in his line of sight before turning it up and taking down a little more. War chuckled with the thought of how relaxed she was. Cali wasn’t necessarily drunk but she definitely had a little buzz.
