Page 60 of Dandelions and Smoke

I give my brother a watery smile and take a deep breath.

It’s perfect.

I repeat it in my mind until the words start to feel less like a lie. I force myself to look around the room instead of at every tiny detail I’m convinced I got wrong. I push those thoughts down, one after another, until I can focus on the people standing in front of me instead of the doubts determined to ruin this moment. Of all the symptoms I’ve faced with having ADHD, RSD is definitely my least favorite. Sometimes I can’t talk myself out of it, and that’s the worst part.

“He’s right,” Billy adds. “Chief is going to gain at least five pounds by the end of the night.”

I laugh and notice the way Blake and Billy glance at each other, like making me smile was their plan all along.

“Thanks, guys,” I say softly, feeling the pressure that was seconds ago too much to bear finally ease.

With renewed motivation, I get back to organizing everything exactly as I’ve been envisioning it. There’s a pin-the-helmet-on-Chief’s-head set up on the wall on one side of the room that features a giant cutout of his head, courtesy of Billy. We have games, snacks, and drinks set up, and I’ve arranged for pizza to be delivered around seven.

As for decorations, Callie and Emma let me dig through some of the party supplies that they keep at the Frosty Mountain Resort, and I have to say, impressed doesn’t even begin to cover it. With Emma running the place now, I know who I’m going to anytime I get an itch to throw a party and need some inspiration.

My alarm goes off on my phone, completely shocking me. How in the world has it already been two hours? Sure enough, I check outside just in time to see Ainsley and Tris pull up to the house.

“The cavalry has arrived,” Ainsley yells as she walks up the drive in yet another pair of flashy cowboy boots.

Lord knows she must have a hell of a collection since I’ve already seen at least fifteen pairs since knowing her.

“I’ll do anything but tie the balloons,” Tris says, walking into the house behind her. “These hands were not made for that.”

“What? Manual labor?” I quip, earning the side-eye.

I pull them both into a hug.

“Thanks for helping me,” I say as I give them a quick squeeze.

“Obviously, Brat,” Tris flicks her hand. “You’ve literally committed multiple felonies for me. The least I can do is blow up a few balloons.”

“Huh,” I shrug, realizing she’s got a point. “This is true.”

“Looks like I’m on knot-tyin’ duty,” Ainsley mutters, grabbing the bags of balloons and getting right to it.

“Surprise!” everyone shouts as Chief walks through the door.

It’s ridiculous since he’s known all along about this party, but that’s what makes it more fun.

Pushing past the tinsel curtain hanging from the door, he chuckles as the foil sticks to him until he’s further in the room. His face reddens as the smile on his face widens, and his gaze instantly finds mine. I’m in the center of the room, but our friends have already moved in to greet him and wish him a happy birthday. I don’t move, though. I’m pinned in my place as I take it all in.

Everyone’s shown up for him. The entire fire department is here, with half of them only staying shortly before having to return to the station. Callie, Tom, Caiden, Della, Emma, and of course, my brother, Blake, are also here. There are even a few guys from the police department who stopped by. One by one, he’s hugged and celebrated, and though he acknowledges each person, it’s as if his attention never leaves me.

Ainsley and Tris walk over as I watch, and Ainsley places her arm around my shoulders, giving me a gentle shake.

“That man right there is crazy about you,” she coos, looking between him and me.

I preen, taking in the compliment and allowing myself to believe it, as butterflies erupt in my stomach. At this very second, he looks up from his conversation, and heat spreads across my cheeks. I know he’s doing his best to get to me, but person after person stops him to talk, and I don’t have the heart to get in the way.

I’ve been obsessing over this party. I’ve pictured every detail in my mind and how it will go. This is what I imagined—him smiling, surrounded by people who care about him, and them showing him how much. It’s perfect, and every checklist, scattered sticky note on every surface, every alarm, and reminder I set to make sure I didn’t forget anything was well worth all the craziness of the last week because of this moment right here.

“Or maybe he’s just crazy,” Tris teases from my other side.

For the first time since he’s arrived, I pull my gaze from Chief and direct a narrowed glare at her.

“I’m sure that’s meant kindly,” Ainsley mutters, slight exasperation mixed with levity in her tone.

“That’s not a dig at her,” Tris chirps, flipping her short, icy blonde hair.