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Kristen wiped at the tears that were spilling down her face. “I just see that girl falling out of the stall. Sex in a bathroom. WTF?”
Stacey lost it and felt so much better after a good laugh. Her night may not be ending like she wanted, but at least it was an unforgettable date.
Kristen finally got her laughter reined in. “Stacey, I’m sorry your night was ruined. I’m also sorry Adler was dating someone like her. How’s he?”
Stacey shrugged and took some time to finish off Kristen’s bowl of ice cream. “Not really sure. His jaw was sore by the time they dropped me off, and his eye was red and swollen. The guy’s punch landed hard. I’m sure his ego was hurt more than his face. But he thinks he’s hot shit, so I’m sure he’ll be fine.” Stacey yawned. “I’ve got to get to bed. I’m exhausted, and I have an interview tomorrow.”
Stacey left Kristen in the kitchen.
It was her birthday, and even though it was already five thirty, and weekend traffic would probably take her over an hour to get home, she was on cloud nine.
That went pretty well. Stacey was walking through the parking garage after her interview at Summit Woman’s Center. She was surprisingly happy with the Labor and Delivery floor. It is larger than she’s used to, but everyone was so friendly. She could see herself working there.
Before she pulled out, she turned her phone notifications back on and noticed a missed call from Tristan. She called him back, putting him on her car speaker.
“Happy birthday again, gorgeous. How’d things go?”
She filled him in on the interview and how well she thought it went. He was going to be at her house when she got there and asked if Adler could come by. He’d be alone as he was no longer seeing Callie. Shocker. She wasn’t sure if she really wanted to deal with him, but Tristan assured her he’d be good. He just needed something to do, so she agreed.
As she was stuck in Nashville rush hour traffic heading north, she found her mind wandering to Tristan. He was so different from anyone she had dated before. He truly cared about her, and he listened to what she had to say. He was proud of her for stepping out and giving this hospital a try. She thought of his smile only for her. His kisses only for her lips. His amazing talents in the bedroom and only for her body. She didn’t want to share him and didn’t want to be without him. He could leave, and she could get hurt, but he was worth the risk.
He was hers, and it was time for her to make it official and stop acting like she didn’t care as much as she did. Her heart fluttered. It could happen. It would happen. What an awesome birthday this would be. All she had to do was say the word, and for once, her birthday would be perfect. Even this first year of twenty-nine and holding.
It was almost seven o’clock when she finally pulled in front of her house. The driveway was full. Her pulse raced as she turned off the car. All these people were here to celebrate her. That kind of attention always embarrassed her, which was why she didn’t usually allow birthdays. She took a deep breath and was greeted with the best present ever. She jumped out of the car as Tristan was walking with purpose across the lawn.
She smiled ear to ear, and her heart turned to mush.
He looked amazing as usual. His faded jeans, always tight in the right places, he wore a dark gray sweater, and his face lit up. She let him engulf her in his arms. Her feet lifted from the ground, and his lips immediately found hers.
She was lost for a second in all things Tristan. His kiss is soft and gentle, his taste sweet with a touch of mint, his body muscular and safe, his smell woodsy and masculine.
“Happy birthday, gorgeous.” He brushed hair from her face, gathering in a ponytail with his hands at the base of her neck.
“Thank you.” She kissed him again. A deeper, more intense kiss. Yeah, she wanted him. She wanted all of him. Her heart swelled. “Thank you for being here.”
He pulled away, and that crease in his cheek showed itself. “Seriously, where else would I be? Here with you is where I belong.” Another long kiss. “Let’s go. Everyone’s waiting on you.”
The backyard looked amazing. There were gold and brown balloons hanging everywhere, with vases of black-eyed Susan’s sitting around as decorations. There were two grills going, tables filled with all kinds of food, and one just for dessert. She laughed when she saw the cake. “Stacey, first year holding at twenty-nine” was written on it, and it was also edged with the yellow and brown, black-eyed Susan’s. It was amazing and perfect. Her eyes filled with joy as she met Tristan’s. She had no words, but picked up a flower that was lying around the table.
“Like I told you before, the gold mixed with browns, just like I see when I look in your eyes. They are as beautiful and unique as you are.”
Her heart skipped. “They’re perfect. Everything’s perfect.” Stacey hugged him tight.
Soon, she was having a blast with her friends. The yard was filled with people. She was talking in a group with some of the girls and laughing with them as Elizabeth told a story about Grant’s latest issues with nap time.
Suddenly, a loud roar filled the night.
Everyone turned their head, and there was no mistaking it. Adler had arrived. And he was noticed. He parked his motorcycle off to the side and turned it off. The night got quiet.
Stacey rolled her eyes as she noticed her friends were no longer lost in discussion, but lost in Adler.
“Damn. Who is that?”
Stacey turned, and her mouth dropped at Charity, one of her happily married friends.
Desiree, Charity’s best friend, spoke what Stacey was thinking. “Stand down, girl. You have your handsome husband. You aren’t on the market.”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t look.”
