I quickly pull away and glance at the decorations, the cake, and the presents. This moment is officially my favorite and more special to me than when I found out about the movie deal.
Kelcie darts to the counter and lights the candles. “You have to make a wish when you blow them out.”
I only have one wish.
I step closer and stare at the flickering flames.
I wish that if Kelcie ever learns the truth about why I came to Verona, she’ll find a way to forgive me, and we’ll be able to love each other without a sword hanging over our heads.
Leaning forward, I blow out the candles, and it has Kelcie excitedly clapping her hands. “Don’t tell anyone what you wished for, or it won’t come true.”
Trust me, I’m not telling a soul.
She picks up a small present that’s covered in blue paper with little red cars printed all over it. “Time to open your gifts.”
I smile at her, and being careful not to tear the paper, I unwrap it.
“God, you have the patience of a saint. I just rip the paper to shreds.”
“I want to keep it,” I say. Then I see the little toy version of a Mustang, and my smile widens. “I’ve always wanted a Mustang.”
“Who doesn’t?”
“Right?”
I spend the next ten minutes carefully unwrapping all my gifts, and by the time I finish, I have a nice little collection of toy cars.
“I’ll even play with you,” Kelcie says.
I shake my head quickly. “I’m not taking them out of the boxes. I’m going to put them on the shelf in my living room.”
Our eyes meet, and the urge to kiss her hits me again. Instead of giving in, I clear my throat and look at the cake.
“I’ll make coffee and tea.”
“Thanks,” I murmur.
She grins at me as she prepares the beverages. “We can have some of the cake because you can’t keep it.”
“Wait before you cut it.” I hurry out of her house and jog to my place. Grabbing my phone from the office, I head back. When I step into the kitchen, I unlock the device and take a photo of the cake.
“Let me take one of you,” Kelcie offers. “Stand by the cake.”
I shake my head and pull her in beside me. When I have both us and the cake in the frame, I take the photo. Looking at it, my heart stutters in my chest because Kelcie is unbelievably beautiful, and her smile is filled with happiness.
“Will you please send it to me?”
I nod. “Sure. What’s your number?”
She chuckles as she walks to the living room to pick up her phone. “Isn’t it weird that we’ve been friends for ... holy crap, has it been two months?”
Hell if I know.
“I think so,” I reply.
“Anyway, it’s funny that we’ve been friends for so long and haven’t even exchanged numbers.”
When she gives me her number, I program it into my device before sending her the photo.
