AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thank you.” I lean my head on her shoulder. “Thank you for coming.”
“It was all Dana,” she whispers. “She’s one of a kind.”
Dana comes to me and hands me a knife. “Time to cut the cake.”
I make my way to the table, and before I slice the chocolate, she calls out, “Make a wish.”
My first instinct is to wish for Samuel’s safe voyage home. Only I stop myself and find my daughter now in my father’s arms. I close my eyes as I slice through the cake.
I wish to have a long and happy life with my daughter.
Pop. One champagne bottle.
Pop. Another bottle and then laughter.
I turn to my father. “Have we clocked off for the day?”
“Yes.” He raises his arm in the air.
“Happy birthday to me,” I cheer.
* * *
After three hours of sitting around the office and celebrating my birthday, Mum and Faith leave. Yasmine and Amy had left only moments before them.
“Well, I’m heading off,” Dana says and wraps her scarf around her neck. “Your father rarely does this, so I’m taking advantage of his generosity.” She winks at me and then kisses my cheek. “See you tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
Dad’s office door is closed.
Ethan is packing up his desk, so I do the same, hitting the buttons and closing the drawers a little too hard because the bubbles have gone straight to my head.
I lean down to get my bag and freeze when Ethan is beside my desk.
“Hey,” he says and smiles.
“Hey.”
“I bought you something but didn’t want to give it to you in front of everyone.”
“Oh. Okay.” I sit then stand again when he doesn’t move.
“I want you to trust me.” He takes my hand and holds it like it’s made of porcelain. He strokes my fingers, and even though I know I should yank my hand away, I don’t.
“I do trust you.” I mightn’t want to, but I do.
“I like you, Eden.”
I pull a face probably more dramatically than I should because of said bubbles. “I like you too.”
“No. Ireallylike you. Haven’t stopped. I want you to give me a chance.” His chocolate eyes filled with emotion meet mine. I’m vaguely aware I’m gaping. “I’m not trying to spook you. If we could start with… say a dinner date, a picnic. Get to know each other again. I know we could make it work.”
“It’s too soon,” I mumble. I go to pull away, only he grips my hand and turns it over. With his other hand, he places a box in my palm.
“Open it.” He lets go and adjusts his tie, undoing the top button of his shirt.
Pulling at the ribbon, I flip open the box to reveal a sparkling diamond ring. Seven to be exact in the gold band.
“It’s a friendship ring.” He shoves both hands in his trouser pockets.
