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“Sit down, baby.” A broad hand claims my hip while the other slides over the curve of my ass. “You’ve been on your feet all day.”
I rub my stomach. “I need to walk. My back’s killing me.” I scan the room, unable to resist the urge to move. “You need a drink, Ford?”
“Nah. Not drinking.” He lifts his glass of sweet tea to me. “Me and you are in it together for a couple of weeks.”
I smile at him, but I don’t miss the look that passes between him and Davis. The proud nod Davis gives his twin.
Davis glances at Wyatt, who sits sullenly in a chair with his arms crossed. He’s barely said a word since the party started. “Your turn.”
“Don’t want to play.”
His words are stiff—short.
Fallon’s eyes flick to him.
“Cake then,” Charlie says, his gaze on Ruby’s face.
Davis and I get the cake, safely sequestered in the kitchen. We collect plates, forks, and candles and move the party intothe living room. Everyone curls up on the spacious dark leather couches. Champagne glasses are filled and Davis brings a bottle of sparkling grape juice for me.
Ruby stands and watches in delight as I stick elegant gold candles on top of the three-tier cake. I watch Charlie grin, his blue eyes fixed on her panty-clad butt showing behind the apron.
Ford, leaning back against the wall, sucks on a hard candy. “Standing around naked, cutting cake. Who’d have thought?”
Fallon shrugs. “Done weirder.”
Ford snorts.
“This must have taken so much work, Dakota,” Ruby breathes. She dips low, inspecting every inch of the cake. A frosted confection of dreamy goodness. Nothing better than a homemade birthday cake glittering with candles. It’s the incredible power of pastry. Bringing joy, bringing people together.
Straightening up, Ruby dabs at the corner of her eye. “I really appreciate it.”
I smile and give her a hug. “Of course. I loved doing it.”
We sing. We pour champagne and lift the glasses high in the air.
“Speech, speech, speech,” Fallon chants. She nudges Charlie with her boot. “C’mon, big guy, get those words out.”
Charlie stands, a sudden softness settling over his face. Ruby, wide-eyed, gazes up at her husband. The muscles in Charlie’s jaw work. All his attention is on her. “Sunflower, you’re the brightest thing in my life. Happy birthday to the reason I’m breathing. I love you, baby.”
And then he kisses her. We all watch as Ruby all but collapses into his massive chest.
Ford smirks. Fallon claps.
“Charlie,” Ruby gasps when he pulls back.
“I think it’s time to cut the cake,” I announce. I slice thick slabs of carrot cake and Davis hands them out. I glance over my shoulder at him and grin. “How domesticated are you, Hotshot?”
He leans in and whispers, “Take me back in the kitchen and I’ll show you.” My stomach flips at the ragged husk in his voice. Demanding. Devouring.
Cake cut, everyone relaxes on the couches, plates on their laps.
All of this is a perfect rope-the-moon kind of day.
Keena whines and nudges her nose at the back of my legs, nearly propelling me forward. Davis makes a quick grab and holds me steady.
“Dog’s trying to kill you,” Fallon quips as I settle back into our little circle.
Davis shakes his head and grabs Keena’s collar, pulling her away from me. “Keena. What the hell’s gotten into you?”
