“Hey, if it weren’t for me, you and Colton wouldn’t even be a thing,” she reminds me. “It was all me.”
I smile. She reminds me of this at least once a week. She might have many quirks, but I still love her to bits.
“I can’t wait for tonight,” she says. “It’s going to be a blast.”
It goes without saying that Cassie is a regular at all our parties. She brings a different date every month, and I always look forward to seeing who her latest guy is. The co-ed bashes are much more fun than the ladies-only parties. We still enjoy good food and drinks, play party games, and of course, I’m always the chosen one at the end of the night. The special gummies are tightly under wraps now because there’s a child in the house, but we still indulge. Gone are the catty vibes, the competition, replaced by good old plain fun. The sex rooms are gone. The walls were knocked down, and now there’s a mini arcade and candy bar to enjoy.
About forty minutes later, the ladies clean us off with warm towels, and it is absolute heaven. We are then wrapped up in our robes, and led to the comfy folding chairs.
A tray of nail lacquer is presented, and I opt for a shimmery blue, and Cassie picks a bright red, her signature color. We chat about her latest guy as we get our nails done. His name is Jessie, and he’s a paramedic.
“Hot,” I quip. “I bet he’s very doting.”
She winks at me. “You have no idea.”
I know Cassie had her eye on Colton at one point, and I smile at the thought because I realize it could have never worked out since she’s not the type to settle down, and she will probably never be. She’s as free as a bird, and no man could ever pin her down, not even a handsome one like Colton Rossi.
We say our goodbyes, and Cassie insists on handling the tips. She’s quite generous as she always is. We both usually are. The both of us have worked in the service industry, and we folks stick together.
I’m tempted to call in at the café, but it’s my birthday, and Tina assured me that she would have everything under control. And there’s no more reliable woman than Tina.
We scurry up the stairs to the master like giddy school girls. Cassie is excited about doing my makeup and hair. I’m basically her personal doll, and she does a great job. She always manages to transform me from a plain Jane to a knockout. Really, I don’t know how she does it. Her skills are exceptional.
“Well, you did it again,” I say, staring at my reflection; sensual smoky eyes and pretty red lips.
“It’s easy because you’re beautiful,” she tells me. “I know you still don’t see what others see, and you probably never will, but you’re gorgeous.”
I shake my head.
“Now for the best part,” she trills as she grabs my hand and leads me to the walk-in closet. I actually have nice clothes now, tons of fancy dresses and shoes and boots. I keep telling Colton to stop spoiling me, but he insists. What’s a girl to do?
Cassie grabs the sheer champagne dress. “This,” she says. “This is the perfect birthday dress. This with the sparkly Loubs he got you for Christmas.”
I smile. Yes, the Loubs. Apparently red soled heels are called Loubs. I wouldn’t have a clue.
She slips on her own sparkly silver dress as I climb into my Spanx. I don’t always wear it, but this is the kind of dress that needs it. She smiles at the sight of me struggling to get into them. Cassie will never need Spanx, not even when she’s seventy I bet.
Finally, we’re cooked to perfection, all dolled up and ready to party.
* * *
The party is already underway when we arrive downstairs. Cassie and I usually like to be fashionably late. It’s our party after all. The crowd is already rowdy, and we’re feeling high. We do the rounds, and greet all our guests.
When Colton catches sight of me, he sways his head. “Fuck, you look hot, birthday girl,” he whispers in my ear. I’m smiling, but when I catch a glance of Christian drinking a margarita, my jaw drops. What the…!
I rush over to him, and Victoria assures me it’s virgin. She’s the one in charge of him tonight, and she’s the perfect choice since she’s seven months pregnant and not drinking. She dotes on him all the time, and I can tell she’ll be a great mom.
Christian is excited tonight because he gets to party with us since it’s my birthday, and there’s no way in hell I would spend my birthday without my boy. Usually, he stays upstairs with Tony when we throw our parties. I don’t trust him around with all the alcohol and edibles.
Christian and I stuff our faces with appetizers and giggle through dinner. I now sit at the head of the table with Colton, Christian, Annabelle and Victoria and their dates. At the other end of the table, Cassie cuddles up to her paramedic as they enjoy the paella. Tonight’s theme is Spanish food and drinks.
Sangria is poured generously, and frozen margaritas also abound. By the time dessert rolls around, I’m already tipsy and feeling very relaxed. And as it turns out, dessert is a huge birthday cake, the kind I like, traditional sickingly-sweet birthday cake. Pink icing flowers beckon me. I’m in heaven.
A chorus ofHappy Birthdayfills the dining room, and I’m at a loss when it comes time to make a wish because I already have everything I’ve ever wanted. I blow out my candles, and I almost extinguish them all. One is left burning.
“You have one boyfriend,” Victoria cheers.
“And that’s all she needs,” Colton jokes, and then he kisses me. “Happy birthday, beautiful.”
