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Cali watched him walk away while a smile spread across her face because she was already processing what else she would need to prepare to make the night perfect.
The next day, Cali made a point of staying away from War. The task was incredibly hard considering how he preferred to spend all his free time—around her, in her, loving her. Either way she managed to get it done by insisting she had plans with Conner and some personal errands to handle.
Both were true. She spent the morning with her sister viewing apartments and the afternoon was spent with them getting mani-pedis. When they were done, a quick trip to The Shops at the Falls granted Cali her dress for the evening. The royal blue silk camisole slip dress was simple but sexy.
She remained in contact with War all day through text because he had a habit of pulling up on her and she needed the time to make sure her surprise for the evening was properly executed. She even managed to convince him that they were having dinner at Diablo’s to fill a reservation Reyna made but couldn’t keep so it was gifted to her.
He agreed, not once mentioning that the day was his birthday. The entire time they communicated, he never once let on that he was celebrating another trip around the sun. She noticed shifts in his demeanor which made her nervous about surprising him for a birthday he elected not to acknowledge but the deed was done.
Even as she massaged body butter into her skin as a last step before she slipped into her dress, Cali felt her nerves fraying more with each second that passed.
“You sure don’t look like a woman excited about celebrating her man’s birthday.” Conner strolled into Cali’s room and flopped on the bed. She tucked her hands under her chin and glared at her sister.
“I don’t know if he wants to celebrate. Of course I’m nervous.”
“Then ask him.”
Cali shook her head gently. “No, I don’t want to do that. I didn’t want to celebrate mine but he forced me and it was one of the most amazing birthdays I’ve ever had. I want to do the same.”
“It’s just fuck my efforts then. I’ve given you some amazing birthdays, Cali.” Conner smiled smugly and Cali lifted from the scalloped chair and walked to the closet.
“You have but this is different and you know what I’m getting at.” She yanked the t-shirt she was wearing over her head. It left Cali in just a royal blue thong. The dress she selected dipped low into a v-cut front and back. But in the back, the V reached the small of her back which made it impossible to wear a bra. After she removed the silk material from a hanger on the back of her closet door, she worked it over her head and smoothed her hands over her hips. The dress only reached mid-thigh which meant a lot of exposed skin all over. Her legs, arms, and back.
“Damn, girl, you’re not going to make it to dinner once he sees you in that. You look sexy as hell.”
“Because I am sexy as hell.”
“Yeah, he’s not going to give a damn about his birthday surprise once he sees you in that. You can relax.”
“That was the plan, so I hope it works.”
By eight thirty War arrived to pick her up. With her in that dress, he almost messed up the plans by dragging Cali to her room to spend the evening there. She was grateful he gave in when she insisted they couldn’t miss the reservation at Diablo’s since it was a gift. When they arrived at the restaurant, left the car with valet, and walked hand in hand, Cali felt her heart at risk of bursting out of her chest. At the entrance of the private room they were escorted to she almost lost her composure when War froze, allowing her hand to slip from his while his eyes circled the dimly lit space.
“What’s this?” His tone was clipped as his eyes focused on the set up. Cali prepared for the evening with a celebration decor which consisted of clear balloons filled with black and gray confetti. They touched the ceiling and the ribbons tied to them swept the floor in a set up similar to the one created for her birthday months ago, only she bypassed the floral arrangements.
“Kirsten told me about today. I wanted to do something special. I know you maybe didn’t want to celebrate because…”
She gasped when he turned and yanked her into his arms and his mouth met hers. He kissed her so passionately that when he let her up for air, Cali’s lips were already swollen as she sucked in ragged breaths.
“You’re not mad?”
“Nah, baby, I’m not mad. Not with you. I’mma fuck Kirsten up though. She’s always running her damn mouth.” He smiled briefly before his expression was hard again as he looked around the space.
“I’ll never be upset with you showing up for me, Cali. That’s what this is.” He kissed her gently once more and buried his face in the curve of her neck while he held her so tightly she felt the need from his body seeping into hers.
“Thank you,” he said quietly, then kissed her neck before he released her from his embrace. War led Cali to the table and pulled out her chair. She sat and he filled the space to the side of her.
“This shit feels so fucking suffocating,” he mumbled and Cali exhaled a shaky breath.
“You didn’t mention what today was. All day you’ve acted like things were normal.”
“They were. At least as normal as it could be. I pushed that shit to the back of my mind so truly it didn’t exist. I didn’t want it to. Just another day.”
“I’m sorry. I should have asked first.” She frowned, turning her head to him and he shook his.
“Nah, you shouldn’t have had to ask.”
“Why didn’t you want me to know?”
