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CHAPTER 20
“Happy birthday, Mom.”
“Mm?” I roll over, shoving the sound away.
“Mom, happy birthday.”
“Kitten. Sis, wakey, wakey.” Sharp fingers poke my side, making me laugh in that reactive way that doesn’t feel good.
“Let me sleep!” I beg them and shove at their faces. All this lack of zzz’s couldn’t have come at a worse time. The blame falls squarely on Dean’s broad shoulders.
“Cat. You just got a text.”
I sit up fast as can be, grabbing my phone out of Sheridan’s hand. “It’s gotta be Dean!”
The screen disappoints on many levels. First off, it’s not a message from Dean apologizing for whatever I did wrong. Secondly, it’s from Julie.
-Happy B-day, Cat. Don’t forget, celebrate 2morrow. NO DRNK!!!!! NO CRAP FOOD!!! Luv,it says.
As I’m reading, another text comes in.
-Happy Birthday, kitty cat,Dean says.
-R U giving me a present?I ask.
-Can I take you to lunch?”
“Dean wants to know if he can take me to lunch. I wonder if he means real food, or…” The bed suddenly dips around me, and I look up to find Reese, Liz and Sheridan staring at me intently. “What?”
“You forgetting something?” Sher asks.
“Uh…”
Liz tries to get up, looking dejected and somber. I tackle her down to the bed, laughing. “Get off me!”
“Aw, Lizard. You don’t think I’d actually forget it’s your birthday, too, do you?”
Liz looks away. “You said you’re going to lunch with Dean.”
“I said he asked. Look at my phone.” I show her my reply.
-It’s Liz’s b-day, too. Want to celebrate with her.
With glassy eyes, she says, “Sorry.”
I let her up, and pull the present I’d hidden under the bed. “Open it!” I demand excitedly.
She opens it cautiously, and rightly so. Guess she’s finally learned. “Gee, thanks?” The thing dangles awkwardly from her hand as she lifts it, trying to determine its function.
“It’s a flying flogger. Give it here. The pieces snap together like a puzzle.” After pulling it together, I hand it back. “For when you travel.”
“I don’t flog my partners,” she tells me.
“Oh, why did I think you did?” I tap my chin, wondering where the idea had come from.
“Maybe you’re thinking of Winn?” Reese throws in.
“Accept it, Liz. I have. Kitten gives the worst gifts. But she does it with love,” Sheridan tells her with a smile.
