Eventually I pull away and sit up, knowing that it’s already way later than I expected to keep him up. “Come on, birthday boy,” I say, standing up, “you have to go to bed or you won’t enjoy the rest of your day.”
“It doesn’t matter what else happens today, not after this.” I smile and tug on his reluctant arm that I know could easily haul me back down but doesn’t. He stands up and accepts the small dish of crème brûlée that we didn’t get around to eating and walks me to my door where he kisses me once more before softly skimming the right side of my face with his thumb.
“I love you, Ace.”
“I love you, Max.” His eyes focus on mine for a second before I reach up to kiss him once more on his slightly swollen lips.
“I’m done with these home visits. I hate not having you in my bed.”
“Tomorrow!” I answer resolutely. “Now go have some sweet dreams of me!”
“Always,” he replies with a growl before kissing me once more and swatting my backside as I disappear inside.
As planned, I don’t see much of Max the next day so I can ensure that everything’s ready for the party. Sharon offers to run interference first and takes him out for breakfast. After that, it’s up to Jameson and Wes to keep him busy until seven when we’ll be meeting to have dinner while forty something people gather in his house.
I head back to San Diego early with Kendall, who helps me hang streamers and balloons, along with multiple happy birthday banners, and confetti. We set up the tables that we’d rented, stocking them with alcohol, cups, napkins, and plates. I’d ordered party platters filled with sandwiches that Jesse and Abby will pick up, along with the sheet cakes.
I’m a bundle of nerves as we sit at the restaurant waiting for the boys. I’m realigning my silverware when Kendall grabs my hand within hers. “He’s going to love it. Everything is going to be fine. Just take a deep breath.”
My eyes dart to her piercing blue ones heavily shadowed with charcoal gray and force a nod as I take an audible breath that doesn’t seem to fulfill my need for air. Breathe is starting to become my life mantra since I met Max.
When the guys arrive, they’re all looking comfortable and relaxed, laughing over something as they follow the hostess to our table. Kendall squeezes my hand in a silent assurance as we stand up to greet them. Max wears a fitted long sleeve white shirt with thin gray stripes and a pair of jeans with some black dress shoes. It’s understated and casual, but he makes it look sexy and classy with his confident grin and posture.
His eyes light up as our gazes meet. I watch his eyes drink me in, trailing over the dark gray satin dress that goes over a single one of my shoulders and dips down on the other, ending tightly at my mid-thigh.
“Hey, beautiful.” Max cups the back of my exposed neck and leans forward kissing me.
Max’s phone rings as we crowd around the table.
“Hank,” he says quietly.
His face looks uncertain. I place my hand on his forearm and smile, nodding my head to the front of the restaurant. He grins at me before lifting the phone to his ear and heading back to the front. I offer him a giant smile before we continue outside.
“Alright, birthday boy, would you like to ride in their chariot or mine?” I ask, gesturing between Wes’s SUV and my car as we make it out to the parking lot after finishing dinner.
“I’ll ride with you,” he answers wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “I’ll see you guys at the house.”
“Why don’t we go get ice cream?” Max suggests.
“Because that’s my favorite dessert, not yours and this is your day,” I reply, getting in the driver’s seat. “Plus I have a dozen more crème brûlées waiting for you at home.”
“The next one I eat is going to be poured over you,” Max says as he leans toward me. His hand runs up my thigh as his mouth goes to the spot beneath my ear that he knows drives me crazy.
I drive a little slower allowing Kendall and the guys a chance to ensure that everything’s in place. Max is plenty distracted with trying to distract me that if he notices, he doesn’t complain, or thinks it’s his own doing.
When we pull up to his house I’m thoroughly impressed that no one’s parked in front of the house or anywhere close by to make it obvious that a houseful of people are awaiting him. Only his Jeep and Wes’s SUV are in the driveway. My heart beats almost violently in my chest as the cool night air washes over me. Max meets me at the front of my car and takes my hand in his as we make our way the few steps to the front door.
“I say we make this a Bourne night,” he says, tucking me under his arm, “We’ll bring some crème brûlée upstairs and end this day like it began.”
“That sounds perfect,” I say, trying to contain my laugh from the fear bubbling inside of me. Oh please, oh please, oh please enjoy this, I pray as Max reaches for the door.
I take a deep breath as he pushes the door open and step into the dimly-lit house behind him. I instantly know that Kendall must have really put some threat behind this, because it is eerily silent.
The lights flip on and dozens of people jump out yelling “surprise” and cheering. I turn to watch Max and see his face light up with recognition as the crowd begins to close in around us.
“How in the hell did you pull this off?” Max asks, turning to catch my relieved smile as a guy that I’ve never seen encases him in a giant hug and hands him a drink greeting him before a few more people wrap him in hugs and deliver birthday wishes.
Max turns and searches through the crowds until he finds where I’ve retreated beside Abby, Jesse, and Wes. Before anyone else is able to approach him, he makes his way to me and captures my lips with his in an intense, masterful kiss that leaves me slightly breathless before wrapping me into his chest.
“How did you do this?” he asks, pulling me back as his eyes dance over my face, a look of awe upon his face.
“I had a lot of help,” I reply, glancing over to our friends. “Some inside help.” I wink at Wes as he takes a step closer to us and hugs Max.
Abby hugs him next as Wes drapes an arm around my shoulder. “You did good.” His voice is warm as he squeezes my shoulder and pulls me closer to him.
“I couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you!” I wrap an arm around Wes’s lower back as Max is engulfed by the crowd once more.
“Come on, I want you to meet everyone!” Max says, reaching over and taking my hand. He tugs me forward and I look back to see Wes talking to Abby as Jesse makes his way to the kitchen. I wave with my hands to indicate I’ll be back.
The party is in full steam. Everything seems to be running smoothly, and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. I make my way over to Kendall and Abby, accepting a drink from Jameson, as I look out to find Max talking to a group of guys that look vaguely familiar.
“Thank you guys so, so much! This would not have happened without you all,” I say, trying to profess my gratitude as I hug each of them.
“Excuse me. Do you guys know where the birthday boy is?” I turn to face a bleach blonde, wearing the dress from Roger Rabbit. My eyes quickly travel over her, noting the cheap pair of plastic looking pumps that sort of throw me because neither her dress nor her chest appear cheap.
I take a deep breath and try to refrain from thinking more judgmental thoughts as my eyes go back into the crowd in the direction of where Max had been moments ago and find that he and the group he’d been with have moved on.
“Sorry, I’m not sure where he went,” I say, returning my eyes to meet hers.
“If you see him tell him Lacey is looking for him.” Her voice is breathy, and her breath is saturated in sweetness.