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Kova's head turned at the sound of the sliding glass door. His gaze dropped to my hands and his entire face lit up as if it were Christmas morning. All I had to offer was a brownie and that was enough for him, and I loved that so much. Walking over, I carefully sat down next to him, making sure not to jostle my ankle. A gust of salty air flowed around us, and a few strands of my auburn hair gently whipped around my face. Kova brushed the loose hair behind my ear and I thanked him.
"Now, I'm not going to sing you 'Happy Birthday' because I'll make your ears bleed, but… Happy Birthday, Kova," I said softly as another flash of fireworks lit up over the ocean. I handed him the plate and Kova stared down at the brownie. "It was the only candle I could find that would work." When he didn't reply, and his brows drew closer together, I said, "Make a wish and make it a good one." Kova leaned in. Just as he was about to blow out the candle, he looked at me.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
He shook his head. The sadness in his eyes stung caused an ache in my chest. "Nothing," he said under his breath. "Thank you, Adrianna, for this." He waited a beat longer, then, with his eyes still glued to mine, he leaned in and blew out the candle.
"Do you want to know what I wished for?" he asked, still looking at me.
I laughed, a wide smile across my face. Taking the plate, I said, "No, Kova. You can't tell me! Then it won't come true." I carefully picked the candle out so I didn't spill the wax and placed it on the small table next to us. I handed him the plate back and the grin he gave me was felt down to my bones.
"Do you believe in that? That if you share your wish it will not come true?"
I shrugged, the thin strap of my dress falling off my shoulder. Goose bumps trailed down my arms.
"We all need something to believe in. I know it sounds a little naïve, but what's the point of making a wish of hope on your birthday? A wish is a secret, a dream, a goal. It’s something we desperately want to happen more than anything else in the world, but we can't ever tell anyone because if it doesn't come true then we're left feeling full of despair. Kind of like when you throw a penny in a fountain. You're never supposed to tell anyone."
"But those pennies get scooped up each day, so where does your wish go then?"
I leveled a stare at him and his grin grew bigger. I couldn't help smiling in return. "Stop ruining it and take a bite of your brownie."
Kova barked out a laugh as he picked up the treat. Before he took a bite, he offered it to me.
"No way," I said, pulling away. "If you don't get the first piece and the first bite, your wish will definitely not come true."
"Ah, you make me feel so young." He huffed a laugh, then took a bite. "Are you a superstitious person?" The corners of his eyes crinkled with mirth.
"Only on birthdays."
Kova took another bite and I watched his mouth move. Not because I wanted a piece myself, but because there was something in the air that made everything about tonight feel like it was going to be okay. Like it wasn't weighted down with worry and anxiety. I smiled, a little sad, wishing it could always be like this with us.
Scooting closer to Kova until our arms touched, I rested my head on his shoulder and stared straight ahead, watching the fireworks. I could tell people were lighting them off and that the show hadn't started yet. There were too many pauses in between, and I was glad about that. Plus, they weren't that extravagant and show-stopping. The actual show and finale could be like a private birthday celebration just for Kova to top off this night.
Kova placed the half-eaten brownie under my nose. I shook my head and looked at him. "You eat it. It's your birthday."
"I want you to have some too."
"I don't want it."
"I want to share it with you. Please, for me?" Kova's bottom lip rolled out and his eyes became exaggeratingly sad.
Laughing, I said, "Oh, it's going to be like that? You're going to give me a puppy dog face that I just can't refuse?"
"If that is what it takes."
If it was even possible, he made his face even sadder and I rolled my eyes.
"You look like a lost puppy standing in the rain trying to find his way home. Fine. I'll try it." I tried to take the brownie, but Kova held it up to me. Leaning in, I took a bite and almost moaned. I hadn't had anything sweet in a long time. "Oh my God. That's amazing!"
He looked at me, confusion written all over his face. "You have not yet tried one?"
/> "No. I bought a pack of them and stuffed it into my freezer. I never tried them."
He offered me the plate. "Here. Eat the rest."
I swallowed. "No, I can't."
"Adrianna," he said, drawing out my name.
