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I wish the shower could get rid of the guilt that I’m feeling over betraying my best friend.
Once I’m out of the shower, I hear a faint knock on my door. That’s odd. I’m sure Cam is asleep already.
I come face-to-face with Cole when I open the door, quickly trying to shut it in his face.
“Wait,” he says, grabbing the edge of the door before I have a chance to close it.
“I already told you to leave me alone,” I tell him.
“I know. I heard you loud and clear. I have something for you,” he says.
I eye him suspiciously, not trusting a word that’s coming out of his mouth.
“Why would you have anything for me?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Just come with me. I’m not going to touch you. Unless you want me to,” he says, smirking.
Rolling my eyes, I walk out into the hallway, pulling the door shut behind me. I follow him towards the kitchen in the boat, looking to make sure there’s no one around.
“They’re in bed,” he says, as if he can read my mind.
I follow him into the back of the kitchen. During the day, there are several people working back here, but tonight it’s just the two of us.
I stop and stand next to one of the counters, leaning my hip against it, waiting for him to switch the lights on.
“What are you doing?” I ask, realizing I have no idea where he went.
“Happy birthday. I’m sorry I’m a couple of days late.” He walks over to me, lighting the candle on a single cupcake.
I feel like I might melt into a puddle right in the middle of the floor.
“Why did you do this?” I ask, barely above a whisper.
“You deserve to be celebrated, Charlie,” he says.
I glance up at him, the light from the candle casting a glow across his face. God, this man is beautiful.
“Thank you,” I say, my heart pounding in my ears.
I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, trying to keep from crying.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, putting the cupcake down and grabbing my arms.
“This is just like one of the nicest things anyone’s ever done for me,” I tell him honestly.
“Are you serious?” he asks.
“Yeah, nobody even remembered it was my birthday,” I tell him.
“What about Cam?” he asks, anger evident in his voice.
“It’s not her fault. We were preoccupied. I barely even realized it was my birthday,” I lie.
His hands cup my face, and I feel like we’re the only two people in the world right now.
“You don’t deserve that, Charlie. You deserve the world. You deserve all the celebration. I hope you find someone that will celebrate you one day,” he says, his eyes searching mine.
My heart breaks at his words. He hopes I find someone to celebrate with me one day. Not him.
