Page 96 of Sterling Fight

Which Judd sweetly pulls up over my shoulders and tucks around me.

“Can I get you anything? Do anything for you?” He hesitates. “I could stay. We don’t have to talk. I’ll just be here for you.”

I shake my head and close my eyes. “I just need to sleep this off.” I attempt a soggy smile. “Can’t handle my liquor anymore. I hear it’s a sign of getting old.”

Judd swipes his hand over my hair and cups the back of my neck. “You’ll never grow old, firefly.”

I huff. Everyone grows older.

I can only hope I grow bolder, and wiser.

Like telling Judd Sylver how I feel. I think I love him.

32

[Genie]

At some point during the day, I woke to find a glass of water and some Tylenol on the nightstand. Later, I found Judd napping beside me, holding my hand. I hated myself for the scene I’d made the night of my birthday—bursting into tears like a drunk sorority girl—and learning about my outburst from concerned texts from the women in Judd’s family. I also hate how I’d wasted a day away from Judd.

The day after my birthday hangover, a note on lined unicorn paper rests on my bedside table when I wake.

You are cordially invited to May fifteenth which celebrates:

World Stationery Day (yay for lined paper with unicorns)

National Bring Someone Flowers Day (please enter the kitchen)

National I Love My State Parks Week – get dressed for adventure

National (surprise to be revealed later) Day

National Chocolate Chip Day

I giggle at the idea that Judd has planned out a day that celebrates the novelty of the day. His love language must include quality time together, and I’m grateful for the action. At some point, we really need to talk but, apparently, today will not be that day.

His thoughtfulness astounds me. A surprise birthday party and now this.

Rushing to the kitchen like a child eager for Christmas morning, the largest bouquet I’ve ever seen rests on the island countertop. The floral collection contains white roses, light chrysanthemums, and lily of the valley plus green eucalyptus and something else green and feathery.

“Did you know lilies of the valley are the flower for the month of May?”

As I’m kneeling on a stool to sniff the flowers displayed in the large vase, I almost fall off it when Judd startles me with this information. I somehow missed him seated on the couch in an athletic shirt and loose-fitting hiking shorts. He looks delicious as ever, while he casually hitches his arm along the back of the couch.

Lilies of the valley are also known as forget-me-nots. I will never ever forget Judd and the incredible time we’ve had together.

I swivel on my knees, clutching his handwritten invitation to my chest. “What is all this?” He has already turned my birthday upside down, hosting a surprise party when I hadn’t even told him it was my birthday. He took a day that started sad and lonely into a family affair where I felt more love than I feel I deserve.

“You didn’t have a proper birthday.”

More birthday surprises? I’m nearly giddy, but still I ask, “Why May fifteenth?”

“Why not May fifteenth?” he teases, pressing himself up to stand next to the couch. “I spelled out all we’ll celebrate today.” He points to the invitation I’m still holding to my chest. “Let’s just celebrate a day.”

“Celebrate a day,” I whisper. “I like that.”

Judd steps around the couch, coming close enough he leans over me and grasps the back of the high back stool. “And I . . . like you.”

Judd’s smile forms against my mouth, and he kisses me, sweet and long, reminding me that we didn’t kiss yesterday. I missed his kisses, and I slowly came to the realization I don’t think I want to go a day without kissing him.