Page 187 of The Wife Situation

“Oh, please tell me more,” Carlee says, watching him over her champagne glass.

I notice the sparks, and I think maybe I’ll play matchmaker for once.

Just as I’m about to say something, Easton grabs my hand and pulls me through the living room, saying hello and smiling at those we pass. I see the desperation in his eyes as he leads me outside to the balcony. There’s no one out here but us as he crashes his lips against mine. My eyes flutter closed as our tongues swipe together. I taste the chocolate cupcake on his lips and get lost in him, in us.

“Fuck, I missed you.” He pulls me into a hug, and I breathe him in. “Thank you,” he continues.

“For what?”

“For giving me something to look forward to. The light at the end of the tunnel.”

“You realize you were late to your party.” I hug him, kissing his chin.

“Ah, you’re right.” He smirks.

I run my fingers through his messy hair, admiring how fucking beautiful he is. “I can’t wait to see what you drew while you were gone.”

A chuckle releases from him. “They’re all of you.”

Billie opens the door and steps out. “Want to come in and blow out the candles so we can leave you two alone?”

“Yes,” he says, grabbing my hand and practically dragging me inside.

On the counter, there’s a chocolate cake with an elegantEand a vanilla one with aW.

“Stand behind the cakes so we can take pictures,” Billie says, pulling out her phone.

I’m thankful she speaks up and snaps some photos because I’m too caught up in the moment, seeing everyone around with smiles. Every single person in the room is someone. Every single person has a want, a wish, and a dream. And at the end of the day, at our core, many of us are the same.

I fold my arms in front of my body, watching Weston try to dunk Easton’s head in the tall cake. Carlee stands beside me.

“Are they always like this?” she asks.

“Yes,” I say. “Always.”

“Ahh, that’s cute,” she says as Weston meets her eyes with a smile playing on his lips.

We sing “Happy Birthday” to them as they wrap their arms around one another and sway to everyone singing off-key but me.

Easton clears his throat. “So many people I appreciate are in this room. Wow. Thank you for attending this surprise party and welcoming us into the next decade of our lives. I hope it’s better than the last,” he says, meeting my gaze. “I’m certain it will be.”

“Yeah, thanks, Lexi. No one has ever surprised us together before, so kudos.”

“I threatened everyone who RSVP’d,” Billie says from the back of the crowd.

Laughter fills the room.

Afterward, Easton helps me cut slices for our guests, and everyone gets a piece of both. An hour later, we’re telling everyone goodbye until the only people left in the penthouse are me, Easton, Carlee, and Weston.

“I hope you have a great birthday,” I tell Weston.

He pulls me into a tight hug. “So, what was the emergency?”

I playfully smack him as Easton peels his brother’s arms off of me.

“Don’t like that,” he says.

I laugh, taking a step back. “Don’t want to make him jealous.”

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