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“Wha—” he started, looking up as she placed the latte and cupcake in front of him. His ears turned red, but she saw how his eyes lit up.

“Happy birthday!” she said, using magic to make sparks go off in the air like little fireworks. He smiled—it was the first time he had smiled all day.

A sense of accomplishment ran through her.

“It’s no big deal,” he said, a little shy as he scratched the back of his neck.

“It is!” she said. “Today is your day!”

His expression softened fondly.

“Now make a wish,” she ordered.

“Okay, okay,” he said. He looked right at her as he blew out the candle. Her insides went a little gooey.

“And as your present, I am going to be extra nice to you,” she joked. They had, of course, already been acting nicely toward each other, but neither had openly acknowledged it.

“Wow, so today really is special,” he said dryly.

“But ONLY today! Don’t get used to it!”

He chuckled. “Thank you.”

He reached for her hand, squeezing it, and her chest tightened.

“Oh! And we’re going to Mateo’s for dinner, my treat! Charles will meet us there.” She thought about it for a second. “Actually, it’s Charles’s treat. He is the big boss.”

“We don’t have to—”

She held up a hand. “HUSH. Or I will make you hush.” She pointed a finger threateningly, even though she couldn’t actually use magic to make someone shut up, but he didn’t need to know that.

He smiled sheepishly.

Later that night, he was just as shy after they had closed up and it was time to head to Mateo’s.

“We really don’t have to,” Grayson said, protesting.

“I said hush!” Lucy scolded, putting her coat on over her sweater-dress. Grayson shrugged his tweed blazer on, running a hand through his hair to set it in place. They locked up and walked to Mateo’s together. Charles had texted Lucy to let her know everyone was already there, waiting for her to bring Grayson over.

When they reached the restaurant, Lucy stood behind Grayson, pushing him through the door.

“The birthday boy is HERE!” she announced.

Everyone at the crowded table in the back stood up to clap for Grayson as he walked forward. Francisco, Mateo, Alba, and Esme were all there, and William, Michael, Simone, and Patrick, too. Their Little Brook crew.

Mateo strode forward first, clapping Grayson’s shoulder as his cheeks went red. “You really didn’t all have to come out,” he said as Mateo grinned.

“Come on, it’s your birthday!” Mateo said. “Of course we’ve got to celebrate!”

Grayson went to shake hands with the men and kiss the ladies’ cheeks. “And no way we’re missing out on a free dinner,” William added with a laugh.

Lucy said hello to everyone, receiving her own hugs and kisses, and Mateo went to bring out the food. They all gathered around the tables that had been pushed together, eating and talking, half a dozen different conversations going on.

The men were on one end, while the women were on the other. Lucy sat next to Simone, with Alba and Esme across from them. Grayson was sitting with Mateo, the two comfortably chatting; Lucy was glad to see they were friends.

“Who’s my favorite little angel?” Lucy asked, pulling Esme out of the high chair and into her lap. Esme cooed in response as Lucy cuddled with her, getting a serotonin hit from the chunky baby.

“Lucy, quit getting distracted and tell us the details,” Simone said, elbowing her. Alba leaned forward, nodding in agreement.