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She rubbed her knuckles over her chest and then blew on them. "It’s because I study."
I rolled my eyes but went quietly back to reading my notes from my stats class. Math was my least favorite subject, and the one I had to study the hardest for. It seemed like it took forever for it to click and that was usually only after I’d met with my professor during his office hours and he’d explained it three or four completely different ways. And since I really wasn’t excited about this class, it was easy for my mind to drift elsewhere. Like the fact that Jackie had been so appalled by the knowledge that I’d never had a birthday party. Even Gareth had seemed shocked. He’d just masked his surprise a lot better than she had.
Two hours later, I still hadn’t managed to get much studying done. Jackie, however, was packing up her things. "Thanks for the study session, lovebirds, but I’m heading out. I have a party to get ready for. You two kids don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,"she tossed over her shoulder before leaving Gareth and me alone in our small corner of the student hall.
"I like Jackie and all, but can I tell you that I’m really glad she’s gone."
I swiveled my head in Gareth’s direction. "Why?"
"Because I’ve been wanting to do this."
He palmed my neck and pulled me toward him so he could plant a kiss on my mouth. He flicked his tongue across my lips, teasing me. I opened to him and he swept inside before nipping my bottom lip and pulling away. "There, now I feel better."
My cheeks heated, and I darted a glance around the student hall to see if anyone saw us. No one was paying any attention."I feel better too, now that you mention it."
Gareth released me and I sat back against the couch we shared. He smiled and turned back to his books. I bit my lip.
"Can I ask you a question?"
Gareth glanced back up. His expression swiftly turned to one of concern. "Hey, are you okay?"
"Yeah," I tried to reassure him, but I was feeling self-conscious all of a sudden. "I just wanted to ask...is it weird that I’ve never had a birthday party? It seems like such a stupid thing to even wonder about, but the way Jackie acted—"I sagged.
Gareth scooted over, closing the distance between us and threaded our fingers. "Stop that. I don’t think it’s as uncommon as Jackie would have you believe. I know Ryder didn’t have any birthday parties after he moved to my hometown when he was ten. For some families it just isn’t a thing. There are some religions that don’t celebrate birthdays either." He squeezed my hand gently. "So, to answer your question, no, I don’t think it’s weird. And I also don’t think it makes you sound selfish to wish you’d had one."
He sat up straight, and his eyes got wide and sparkled like something just occurred to him.“I’m going to throw you a birthday party."
I blinked and shook my head in confusion. “Wh—what?" I sputtered.
Gareth grinned like a fool and started bouncing around animatedly. "Yes. I am going to throw you the absolute best birthday party. Because I don’t ever want you to ever feel like you’ve missed out on something."
"Gareth, no, that’s ridiculous. It’s all so dumb. You don’t have to do that.”
He smacked another kiss on me and jumped up, packing up his books away in a rush.
"What are you doing?" I asked in confusion.
He bounced on his feet with excitement. “I’m heading home. I need to start planning your party. I’ll call you later night, though"
With one last kiss, and before I could stop him, he took off.What the hell just happened here?
Chapter 12
Gareth
For the past three weeks,I’d been planning Livvie’s party, and for the last one she’d been trying to weasel information about it out of me. I’d spent more time on her birthday preparations than I had on buying Christmas presents for my parents. This had to be special. This was her first party ever, and I wanted it to be something she remembered forever.
I’d wrangled Jackie into helping me. We’d come up with some great ideas, and I couldn’t wait to see the expression on her face at the party tonight. I’d invited Ryder, Rachel, Livvie’s friend from Joe’s Diner, and of course, Jackie. I’d also invited my friend Marcus, whose grandfather was one of my residents. He was a few years older than me, but we’d somehow developed a friendship over the last nine months. After I’d told him my plans, he was totally on board.
"Are you sure you won’t tell me what you have planned?" Livvie pleaded from the passenger seat, batting her eyelashes and folding her hands as though in prayer.
This had been killing her. She’d begged, pleaded, and even tried to seduce the information out of me, but I’d held strong despite how difficult she’d made it.
"You’re just going to have to be surprised," I sing-songed.
Livvie huffed and collapsed back in her seat, arms crossed over her chest, a cute pout on her face. "If I weren’t so excited, I’d be really annoyed with you. I hope you know that."
I couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re adorable when you’re pouty like that."
