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39
AARON
Aaron stared at his phone and the text his mother sent.
Mom: She loved the spa. Made it home and found your note. I wish I had thought to take a picture of her face when she saw the dress you laid out for her on the bed. We’re almost there.
He tucked the cell in his pocket and looked out the restaurant doors of Atlantis. Two headlights appeared through the fog, slowing down and pulling into the parking lot.
Aaron turned to the small crowd of people behind him, huddled together. “They’re here.”
“Shh, everybody quiet,” Charli ordered.
Aaron exited the restaurant and walked out to Brynn’s car as they parked. He opened his wife’s door first. She took his hand, gracefully standing, the red lace cocktail dress he’d bought her peeking out from under her coat. He couldn’t wait to see it on her inside.
Brynn started to argue. “Aaron, this is too much.”
He placed a finger over her matching red lips. Fuck, that color was hot on her. As soon as the woman at the boutique mentioned she had it to match the dress, he’d wondered what it would be like to see her full mouth painted crimson. His cock hardened uncomfortably.
“Aaron?” Brynn’s voice drew him back to the moment.
“It’s not too much. Remember what I said.” He tapped the world necklace hanging from her neck as Dani and his mother climbed out of the car.
Brynn’s gaze searched his under the setting sun. Speckles of gold glinted in her soft emerald eyes as she looked up at him. He leaned in and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips, needing to connect with her in some small way to ground him.
He hooked his arm through hers. “Ready, sunshine?”
“Aren’t they closed on Mondays?”
“Not for birthday girls.” He winked.
She swallowed and bit her lip.
“Ma?”
His mother grabbed his other arm, leaning on him as he led them towards the door, taking care on the salted driveway. Dani walked ahead, seemingly eager to get inside to the other part of the surprise and greet her friends no doubt.
Aaron released his hold and grabbed the door, ushering the women in his life inside before he followed them as a loud unified, “Surprise!” came from the gathered guests.
Brynn jumped. His hand immediately went to her waist, tugging her body against his, assuring her she was safe and he was there. Her hands clapped over her mouth, and her eyes rounded as a few delayed shouts of, “Surprise!” came from the toddlers and little ones running around with birthday hats on.
Brynn turned to him, then back to the friends she’d made in Shattered Cove, and his as well. “I . . . I don’t know what to say.”
“Happy birthday, Brynn!” Charli yelled.
Several “happy birthdays” were echoed by the other guests.
Brynn spun to Aaron and wrapped her arms around his neck. He held her as she hugged him, running his nose down her slender neck, exposed thanks to the hairstylist he’d lined up this afternoon to touch up her dye and style her hair.
“Thank you,” she mumbled against his chest.
“Wanted to show you have family here. People who care about you, beyond just me. We’re all here for you, Brynn.”
She pulled back, her eyes glistening with something akin to awe, but it was the tiny ember of hope sparking to life in her gaze that warmed his heart and fed his own belief.
She lifted on tiptoes, and he leaned the rest of the way to kiss her, cradling the back of her head with his hand.
“Wooo!” Finn cheered.
