Page 60 of Shattered Hearts

“I guess we’ll see. Now come on, we don’t want to step on their night.” Mum kisses my head before waving to everyone else. “We’ll be home before midnight, but don’t wait up for us if you’re too tired. Call if you need anything.”

“Okay, enjoy!” I call after them as they disappear through the front door.

Macie gives a small giggle from where she stands in the kitchen. I raise a brow. “Your parents still act like lovesick teenagers. It’s kind of adorable.”

“They basically are,” I chime in agreement. “What mocktail are you making?”

“Soda water, lemonade, lime, and mint.”

I frown. “So, pretty much a non-alcoholic mojito.”

Macie nods from the other side of the bench. “Exactly! I made them during the week with Hazel, and they were delicious. I think you’ll like them.”

Sadie helps bring them over, handing one to me and I take a sip and hum. “Damn, that’s good.”

“I’m glad you like it. I should make them every girls’ night,” Macie adds, drinking hers with a swirly straw. “All right, before the movies begin, there’s something we need to plan together.”

I sit on the edge of the couch, already anticipating what the plan will be.

“It’s Grayson’s birthday in just over a month,” Macie begins, pulling up the notes app on her phone. “He’ll be turning twenty-six, and he’s always hinted that he’s wanted a surprise party since he was—”

“Seven,” I finish for her.

Macie nods.

“All right. That sounds fun,” adds Delly.

“I’ve already spoken with Reid about the date. We’ll do it the weekend before, because Grayson won’t be expecting it, and both Sawyer and Cole will be in town.”

I look at Macie. “Will they be able to keep him busy while we get everything ready? If he’s with his brothers, I feel like Grayson wouldn’t think anything of it.”

“Yeah, Reid will keep him occupied for the afternoon while we get the house ready,” answers Macie. She drops her phone on the coffee table and meets my gaze. “We’ll have to get some balloons, streamers, and maybe some party poppers.”

“Oh yes, and a piñata!” Sadie chimes with a wide grin.

Macie jots it down.

“I can make the cake,” I say, putting my mocktail on the coffee table.

“Are you sure you’ll have time?” Delly asks cautiously.

My chin dips. “I’ve made his cake every year since I was ten. Plus, I have Marigold now to help with baking. I can focus on this for one day while she handles the bakery.”

“All right, awesome.”

“Should we have a colour theme or something?” Sadie questions.

“Ironically his favourite colour is grey,” I say with a snort.

“Grey and blue look nice together,” Delly adds.

Macie nods and types it out.

The doorbell rings.

“I’ll get it,” says Sadie. Seconds later, two boxes of pizza grace the coffee table.

Digging in, I end up devouring four slices as we discuss more ideas for the party and a guest list. By the end, it’s at almost sixty people, excluding his family because obviously they’d be there.