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He was so chipper tonight that it made Steph more grateful for those who were making a difference in his life. It was like he was a new man, and twenty years younger.
When a knock sounded on the door, Pops waved her away. “Stop hovering and let your man inside.”
“Yes, sir.” She laughed and headed to the door. When she opened it, she stared.
Cal wore a suit and was holding a bouquet of red roses. He was newly shaved, and he was smiling at her. “Happy birthday, Bee.”
Should she change into a nicer dress? Cal looked like a million dollars—not that it was hard for him to do—and she could only guess they probably weren’t eating at a restaurant in their small town.
“Well, aren’t you going to let your boyfriend in the house?” Pops said, sounding a lot closer than the kitchen. “Don’t keep him stranded on the porch.”
Cal’s smile only widened.
“Bye, Pops,” she said without looking behind her. She grabbed her purse that she’d put by the door and stepped out onto the porch, pulling the door closed behind her.
“Don’t you want to put these in water?”
“No.” Steph took the roses and inhaled the sweet fragrance. Then she wrapped her arms around his waist. “Thank you,” she murmured. “Best birthday present ever.”
“What?” Cal said with a chuckle. “Flowers?”
“Yep.”
She could feel his confusion, and she should probably explain, but embracing him and breathing in his aftershave was kind of heaven right now. After a moment, she drew away, but only because Lydia’s SUV pulled into their driveway.
“Looks like Pops’s company is here,” she said. “His social life is really on the upswing.”
Cal chuckled and released her. She held his hand, while she carried the roses in the other.
Lydia and Jorge climbed out of the car. “Happy birthday, Stephenie,” she said.
“Yeah, happy birthday,” Jorge added.
“Thank you.” Steph smiled. “Have a nice night with Pops.”
“Oh, we will,” Lydia said brightly.
Everyone was so happy and chipper, which only made Steph happy herself.Andit was her birthday, and she’d be with Cal.
“Where are we going?” she asked after they settled into his new truck. Well, it wasn’tnew,but a good condition used truck. Cal said he needed it for his renovations business..
“It’s a surprise,” he said, flashing her a smile.
“You already told me that.” She clutched the roses in her lap and enjoyed the scent filling the cab of the truck. “But now that we’re actually on our way, can’t you tell me? Or give me a hint?”
Cal turned out of the neighborhood, passing a house on the corner that had gone all out with its Halloween decorations. “Well, it’s someplace you’ve never been before.”
Steph couldn’t think of a place she hadn’t been before in Everly Falls. “How long’s the drive?”
“Only a few minutes.”
“That doesn’t make sense because if it’s in Everly Falls, then I’ve been there.”
Apparently Cal was done giving her hints. “Tell me why you said flowers are your nicest birthday gift.”
“Oh …” Steph paused. “My parents weren’t really into celebrating birthdays. They didn’t like following all the holidays and prescribed celebrations. Plus, they said they’d rather spend money on things I needed when I needed them. Not on frivolous things.” She shrugged, feeling Cal’s gaze on her as they stopped at a traffic light. “As a kid, I felt sorry for myself, but as an adult, I understand more.”
“What about holidays?”
