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“Is everything okay? You guys aren’t having problems, are you? Do I need to kick his ass or something? Because I’ll dig out my deadliest high heels and show him what’s up.”
Gabby giggled, slapping her hand on her shoulder. “Down, girl. Keep your high heels in the closet. Dane and I are good. His birthday is coming up in two weeks and I wanted to throw him a party. But…” Gabby shrugged, waving her hands frivolously in the air.
“But you suck at parties and want my brilliant help.”
“Yes!” Gabby clapped excitedly, nearly knocking over the plate Brick tried to set down in front of her. “Oh, sorry, Brick. Didn’t see you.”
“Good thing I got steady hands.” He smiled and set down both plates filled with two breakfast burritos that Mia knew would fill her up good. They were honestly the best burritos in the city. “And, not that I was eavesdropping or anything, but you can always have the party here.”
“That’s a fabulous idea. I was going to suggest it. Dane does love coming here.” It was one of the reasons Mia avoided it more often than not, which was hard to do when Gabby invited her, and she couldn’t say no to her bestie. And she knew if Dane and Gabby were here, then so would…the man she didn’t want to think about.
Because thinking about him always brought her mood down. Well, her mood down even further. Which was silly. It should raise her mood level up.
“So, you’ll make this the best party in the world? I get this feeling he doesn’t generally celebrate his birthday with much fanfare, and that is unacceptable.” Gabby shook her head as if Dane were crazy for not making a big deal about his birthday.
“He’s going to have so much fun he’ll be birthdayed out for the next three years.” Mia quirked a brow and picked up her burrito. “Although, you’re not much for fanfare when it comes to your birthday either.”
Gabby waved her hand flippantly in the air as if how she felt about her birthday didn’t matter. It was all about Dane.
Brick laughed as he set two orange juices—virgin mimosas—in front of them. “You do what you gotta do, Mia. No limit on anything. I love parties.”
“Why are you the best guy around? Stop being so awesome,” she teased. If only her heart didn’t belong to another, she’d try to wrap Brick around her little finger. He was one of the sweetest, kindest guys she knew. And she knew a lot of people.
“He’s going to love this,” Gabby said excitedly, then her smile dipped. “And maybe hate it. He doesn’t like attention and the hoopla—as he calls it—much. Don’t go completely overboard.”
“Well, your birthday is only two weeks after his. We could always make it a double party. So crazy you guys share such close birthdays.”
Gabby shook her head vehemently. “Nope. This is his day. I don’t want to overshadow his day by throwing me in the mix. It’s not a big deal.”
See. She knew it. Gabby didn’t want the hoopla thrown at her. Didn’t she see if they shared the party it wouldn’t be as bad? They could share the attention, instead of having it all smack dab on them with a party for themselves.
“You just said he might hate it. He might not hate it as much if you celebrated both birthdays together.”
But arguing with Gabby never got very far, especially when her mind was set on something.
“No.” Gabby arched a brow, the burrito inches from her mouth. “I don’t want a double party. I want him to have a super special day.”
“Okay. He’s going to gettheparty of the year. Don’t worry, I know how Dane can get. I won’t do anything to upset him.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Gabby pulled her into a side hug, squeezing hard. Some of the cheese oozed out of the top of the burrito Gabby held, falling onto Gabby’s hands.
They both giggled.
“You’ll never have to find out. Besties forever.”
* * *
“What’s up with you?”Jaxson asked, his hand tightening slightly on the wheel, but not too much where Gabby would notice and question him. Not that she’d have to ask why he tensed up. He already had an inkling why she seemed off this morning. It had to do with Mia, and ever since he’d screwed up with her, Gabby tried hard not to bring her up in conversation. For him. Of course, he didn’t like to make her feel uncomfortable, so he always tried to keep things cool and act like it didn’t bother him.
It did, though. Hearing about Mia always hurt. Like a knife straight to the heart every single time.
He looked at her when she didn’t immediately answer. Her eyes were glued to her phone, but of course, she popped her head up at the exact moment he turned in her direction.
“Eyes on the road, mister.” She snapped her fingers, then pointed at the windshield.
