Page 36 of Fighting Gravity

“What about Thursday?”

Anne smiled at him. Actually smiled. “She’s wide open. No meetings.”

He could not stop grinning. As always with Rosie, this visit had not gone to plan. Looked like Tate would be staying in San Diego for a few days, devising ways to spoil Rosie in the way she deserved.

20

Rosie could not have wished for a better birthday. Her team had taken her to lunch at her favorite build-your-own grain bowl restaurant. Her cat had seemed extra snuggly that morning. She’d had a text from Elle, and Chen had added a sweet postscript.

Now she was meeting her family at her favorite Italian place, a swanky yet unpretentious restaurant in the heart of the Gaslamp District, with lush booths and heavy crimson curtains. They served the best flourless chocolate cake she’d ever eaten.

As Rosie left her car with the valet, she felt a twinge of regret for not telling Tate about her birthday. She’d almost mentioned it over the weekend but stopped herself. Rosie had a feeling he’d take the knowledge of her birthday to a whole new level. Tate was a giver by nature, she’d learned. He made sure his employees were happy. His cousin, too. If he knew about Rosie’s birthday, he’d want toprovide. But, for everything he was, Tate wasnother boyfriend. So, she’d kept silent.

Her dad and sister were already seated at a round booth inside the softly glowing restaurant. She hugged them both, one more warmly than the other. She couldn’t forget that her sister had showed up at her office without good reason. She couldn’t forget that Violet had been so obviously interested in Rosie’s Tory Burch bag, or that her sister had stolen from everyone at the table more than once. She was living back at home with their dad, slowly making reparations to him and the law, but she hadn’t earned warm hug privileges yet.

“How’s everybody doing?”

“We’re fine,” he answered for both of them. “Happy birthday, Bug.”

Her dad handed over a gift bag that felt light as air.

“Thanks, Dad.” Rosie smiled at him. “You didn’t have to bring a gift. A nice dinner with you guys is all I wanted.”

He shrugged, a tired smile on his bearded face. “It’s not much.”

Violet slouched down in her seat like a child might. Rosie ignored the move. She’d long ago given up guessing what went on in her sister’s brain. She’d tried to be empathetic and supportive, even when she’d found money missing or the contents of her medicine cabinet strewn all over the bathroom floor. But when the drama with Chad had gone down, Violet had used the distraction to start siphoning money from their dad. Rosie had drawn her line with her sister there. Neither woman had crossed back over.

Rosie sifted through silver tissue paper until she found a gauzy navy scarf scattered with stars. She took out the scarf, fingering the silky fabric.

“Thought you might need one now that you’re spending more time in the desert and at OrbitAll.”

She beamed. “It’s lovely. Thank you.”

He asked how the design was going and what the flight team had planned next. Despite a sullen sister, they lost the rest of the dinner to space talk and delicious food, and Rosie left the restaurant feeling content.

Later, at home, she hung the scarf up in her closet near her collection of handbags. She changed into pajamas and curled up on her couch with the takeout box of sinful chocolate cake. She flipped on HGTV as Bella, her fluffball of a cat, leapt into her lap and began rubbing against Rosie’s chin.

“Love you, too, Bella Boo.”

After the cake was long gone, her phone dinged with a message. She picked it up, wondering who she hadn’t heard from yet. She’d been inundated with birthday love all day. Her heart fluttered when she saw Tate’s name. She swiped the message open.

Happy birthday, beautiful.

She smiled. Elle must have told him. Rosie had no bigger cheerleader in her life.

Thank you, she texted back.I’ve had a fantastic day. Feeling the love, for sure.

Dots appeared and disappeared, then appeared again.I’m so glad. Are you free tomorrow evening? I’d love to take you out for a belated birthday celebration.

Rosie sucked in a breath. What would Tate be doing in San Diego on a Thursday?Are you sure? You’d come all this way?

I’m already here.

She blinked.You are? What are you doing?

Right now? Wishing I could spend tonight buried inside you and making you scream.

His words didn’t go unnoticed by her body. She brushed a finger over a hardened nipple. She really shouldn’t go on a real date with Tate, but…

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