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When I reached the top of the stairs, Tristan glanced up from the couch. He swallowed hard as he drank me in and stood, smoothing a hand down his navy slacks. He wore a white button-down shirt that was open at the collar, a smile that was reserved just for me.
I couldn’t imagine a better birthday. The kids had prepared me a special breakfast—with Tristan’s help. And then he’d dropped Maddox and Savannah off at his parents to give us the day alone. Tristan had told me to dress up for a surprise, and I had no idea where we were going. I couldn’t imagine him parading me around town, but was it wrong to get my hopes up?
“Hey,” I said when I reached the bottom of the stairs.
“Happy birthday.”
“Thank you.” I smiled, thinking it was off to an amazing start.
He stepped closer, grabbing my ass and pulling me into him. Letting me feel his growing desire. “Fuck, Elle. You look amazing.”
“Thank you.” I toyed with his collar, smoothing my hands down his shirt. “You look very handsome yourself.”
I pressed my lips to his, drinking him in. Wanting to drown in him.
The doorbell rang, and he sighed.
“Ignore it,” I whispered. I pulled him closer to me, our lips nearly touching.
He shook his head. “I can’t. It’s part of the surprise.”
I furrowed my brow as he adjusted himself. He took a deep breath then swung open the door.
“Surprise!” Piper and Sumner cheered from the front porch. “Happy birthday!”
I blinked a few times.Wait. What?
I glanced between my two friends and Tristan. What were they doing here? LA was five hours away by car. They would’ve had to have planned ahead.
Which meant…Tristan was in on this? I was both touched by the sweet gesture and disappointed that I wouldn’t get to be alone with him as I’d anticipated.
“Happy birthday,” Piper said, giving me a hug.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” I hugged Sumner.
We’d grown even closer since I’d moved back to the AV. Being in the same time zone helped, but so did bonding over mom humor. I might not be Savannah and Maddox’s parent, but I needed all the help I could get sometimes. And my relationship with Piper and Sumner had become fuller, richer because of it.
Piper nudged Tristan. “You did a good job keeping the surprise a secret. I’m Piper, by the way.”
“Tristan.” They shook hands. “Nice to finally meet you in person.”
They spoke a moment longer, and Sumner introduced herself, all while I stood there. Gawking at them.
“Come in,” Tristan said. “Unless you need to get going.”
“Yeah,” I said, finally snapping into action. I wasn’t sure I wanted them coming into the house. Judging me for sleeping with my sister’s husband. Not that I thought they would, but suddenly I felt incredibly self-conscious about my relationship with Tristan. “Maybe we should—”
“Oh no.” Piper winked at me. “We have plenty of time.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. God, this was awkward.
“It’s so quiet,” Sumner said. “Where are the kids?”
“At their grandparents’ house,” I said, eager to fill the silence. Determined to keep talking so we’d avoid any awkward topics, like Tessa.
“You have a beautiful family, Tristan,” Piper said, her gaze focused on the images lining the fireplace mantel.
“Thank you.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, and I wondered what he was thinking.
