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Something about his statement made my face warm again. I looked away to pick up a slice of steaming pizza. “Right, so find myself a man as old as you so I can actually be treated decently.”
His answering groan had my gaze flicking back to him. “Please don’t bring a guy my age home. I’d hate to have to shoot the dumb fucker.”
I smirked. “Don’t worry, I won’t bring home any guys that are old enough to be my dad.”
The air thickened, making it hard to breathe. But as I grabbed the remote to resume the movie, I paused.
“Should we go look for her?” My voice was tiny, and I felt my body curling in on itself.
Romero set down his slice of pizza and wiped the crumbs from his prickly facial hair. “I think I know where she is. I’m having Cas check her old haunts.” He sighed. “I’m sure she’s fine. Try not to worry, okay? This is your day.”
I nodded, relaxing a little as I resumed the movie. It was an easy silence, and when the movie ended, he asked, “What’s next, birthday girl?”
“Star Wars?”
He lifted a brow. “Is that what you want to watch?”
I bit my lip, smiling to myself as I went back to Phantom of the Opera, and peered sidelong at him for his reaction.
“Go for it,” he said. “Oh, but just wait one second, I forgot something.” He rose to his feet and hurried out of the living room. I stared after him with curiosity.
Dishes clinked together in the kitchen and several moments later, he carried two stacked plates with one hand, balancing a knife on top. In his other hand was a plain white box. I cocked my head, wondering what was inside.
He placed it on the coffee table, the plates beside it, and lifted the lid.
My breath left me in an audible gasp. A shiny marbled galaxy cake sat inside, the words Happy Birthday Julietta written in bright pink icing.
A single glittery gold candle of the number 16 stood tall at the top. My eyes burned as Romero pulled a lighter from his pants pocket and flicked a flame to life. I watched transfixed as he brought it to the wick, which blackened and caught fire itself.
“Make a wish,” he whispered.
I swallowed hard. Then, I took a steadying breath, closed my eyes, and made the same wish I made every year on my birthday—please let my mom come home safely tonight and each night.
I blew the candle out, meeting Romero’s hard, dark gaze. His eyes were filled with understanding, and they glistened with moisture. Was he about to cry? He blinked it away before I could be sure, then reached into his pants pocket and procured a small, velvet box. “Happy birthday, niña.”
I took the box, curiosity plaguing me.
Opening it, I stared down at the small ruby heart hanging from a dainty chain.
“I know jewelry isn’t really your thing, but when I saw it, I thought it kinda fit you—”
“Thank you,” I said, a little hoarsely. The necklace wasn’t likely that expensive, but it was definitely the prettiest thing I owned. Looking up, I smiled at Romero. “I love it.”
He returned the gesture and patted my knee. “I’m glad.”
I put the necklace on and couldn’t stop smiling. We started the movie, but when I sat back, I could feel his heat. The veins on his arms were more pronounced while he sliced into the pretty cake, dishing up insanely massive pieces that had me laughing.
During the first musical scene, I couldn’t help but study his profile. Romero was really gorgeous. He was sweet and thoughtful. My mom was so fucking lucky.
Where the hell are you, Vanessa?
When the last note of the piece rang through the speakers, I made a second wish, though there was no flame to extinguish.
It was a wish that I’d continue to make until it came true.
* * *
With my belly full I felt my lids grow heavy, even though the final climactic scene was just starting. My heart hurt for Christine and the love she clearly had for both men, though I gravitated toward the Phantom. The broken man. I couldn’t help but identify with that passionate need to be loved so completely.
