Not that this dinner is going to run long.
I think the guys (and girls) are counting down the minutes as much as I am.
Shannon certainly is.
Which is why I’m getting on candle duty when I would normally give the party some time between courses, let the conversation—and drinks (alcoholic and otherwise)—flow. Why I’m busting out the cake as soon as possible.
And with that thought, I finish placing the final candle.
“Go time,” I murmur as I snag the lighter, hit the candles with it, then carry the cake out into the front room.
Luna catches my eye and I don’t miss the relief in her eyes.
Nor her silent, The end is nigh.
That’s real.
She normally loves hosting these events, but I can feel her patience fraying by the moment…and her need to have Shannon out of her house growing with every minute—and snarky comment—that passes.
“Oh, thank God,” Shannon says completely interrupting Faye in the middle of her mentioning that one of her author friends is moving to town.
I want to hear more about Faye’s friend, Lainey.
But the candles are burning…and all the other things.
I set the cake down in front of Shannon.
“Happy birthday,” Smitty begins and we all join in with, albeit unenthusiastic, singing, rocking our way through the song with much more speed than normal.
“…happy birthday to you,” we finish.
And wait.
She’s looking at her phone.
Legit. Looking at her phone.
“Shan,” Leo prompts.
She glances up. “Oh, right.” Her halfhearted attempt at blowing the candles out is over almost before she’s on her feet. “I should head out.”
Leo’s brows drag together. “You don’t want cake? I thought you said red velvet was your favorite.”
“It is.” She moves toward the door, Leo finding his feet and following after her, but I’m already heading for the kitchen.
Clean up. Get out.
Find my bed.
It’s when I’m starting in on the final dishes that I hear voices.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Luna says as she and Shannon come into the kitchen. “Your jacket is hanging in the mudroom. I’ll grab it for you.”
Luna touches my shoulder as she moves by me, a sympathetic smile on her face. “Be right back,” she whispers.
Shannon huffs impatiently, the scent of her perfume spreading out like a noxious cloud.
She must have reapplied it in the hall because it’s strong.
