Page 64 of Never Really Over

All the kids greet Poppy, while running around like they’re high on sugar. The fifteen kids range in age from Poppy being the youngest up to ten-years-old. She knows them all well, especially Fiona, Amy and Drew’s ten-year-old daughter and self-proclaimed mommy of the group. Fiona mothers Poppy, who eats up all the attention. As much as it pains me to admit, I know Poppy will ditch me for Fiona most of the day.

Corey reaches into a cooler and pulls out two beers, handing one to me.

“Beer at a kids’ party?”

“Adults deserve fun, too,” he says with a grin.

I crack it open, noting that the other adults are also indulging in either beer, wine, or seltzers. Everyone aside from Bridget, that is. I haven’t met her yet, but she and Dalton are making their way over to me now.

I stand from my chair, reaching out a hand to Dalton. He bats it away.

“I’m a hugger,” he says, giving me a tight hug. When he pulls away, he keeps a hand on my shoulder. “Thanks for letting us come, man. I know it wasn’t your idea, but it means a lot to both of us.”

We might have hated each other in high school but there’s no point in holding a grudge for that long. Besides, he doesn’t seem like the same Dalton I remember and after losing Natalie, I learned that life is too short to hold onto anger. That thought hits me hard and the irony isn’t lost on me. But it does remind me that I’m still harboring some anger toward Layla. Today’s not about that, though. It’s about Poppy so I’ll worry about letting go of that anger later. “Glad you both could make it. The more the merrier, right?”

“That’s exactly what I said! See, baby? He knows what’s up. Colt, this is my fiancée, Bridget. Bridget, meet Colt.”

Unlike Dalton, she does shake my hand. “It’s good to meet you. I’ve heardsomuch about you.” Dalton gently elbows her in the side and she laughs. “What? Like he doesn’t know that?”

I have no idea what they’re talking about, because Dalton and I barely know each other. “Well, I hope it’s all good stuff.”

The look on her face tells me she’s in on a secret that I’m not in on. “Oh, it definitely is. But I have to say, you’re even better looking in person than I was told.”

“Baby!” Dalton shouts, horrified. “I’m right here! Cut a guy a break, will ya?” he grumbles.

She doesn’t seem bothered by Dalton’s whining. She waves him off and tells him, “Relax, honey. You’re still my choice.”

That seems to please him. “Damn right. Forever. Looks like it’ll be a fun party. Thanks again for including us. Good for us to see what we’re about to get ourselves into. There’s a lot of damn kids here.”

“Yeah. Everyone was busy.”

“In the best way,” Dalton says. He smiles wide and kisses Bridget on the lips, smacking her butt before he marches off to take a seat with the rest of the guys.

The party is a hit.

Poppy and I get matching cows painted on our faces. I went first, giving her the courage to sit on my lap like a big girl to get hers painted as well.

I take her clothes off so she can run around in the splash pad in only her diaper.

We engage in a heated water balloon fight, leaving one of the buckets full in case the kids want to play later. Or the adults. Whoever gets to it first.

Drew told me they picked up some sparklers for the kids once it gets dark as well as the makings for s’mores. Apparently they’re planning a bonfire tonight, too. Works for me. I’m ready to celebrate Poppy’s birthday for as long as my friends want to.

Everyone is all smiles and laughs and even though there’s the heaviness of knowing that Natalie and Mason are missing this, I have more joy in my heart than sadness. I know she’s up there watching this and is smiling down.

When it comes time for birthday cake, I head inside, Amy hot on my heels to help.

“Doing okay?” she asks quietly.

I lean back against the counter, hands resting behind me as I look at her. “I am, actually. This was perfect. You went all out, which I knew you would, but it wasn’t over-the-top, like I was a little afraid of. It’s exactly what Natalie would have wanted.”

“That was my goal. I kept thinking of her as we were coming up with ideas.”

I nod and press my lips together so I don’t start crying. I am normally not a crier but ever since Natalie died, I can’t seem to hold in my emotions. It pisses me off. “Thank you. Truly, I can’t thank you enough for this.”

“No need, but you’re welcome. It was fun. But I have a confession and it’s one I’m not sure you’ll be happy about.”

I groan. “What’d you do?”

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