Page 243 of Finding Us

“We’d love to see you guys, too. How long can you stay?”

“We’d fly home Sunday night and take the red eye back. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, it’s great. Frank and Ryan will be here, too. And I invited Grace but I’m making that a surprise.”

“I want Sean and me to be a surprise, too. Don’t tell Jade we’re coming.”

“I won’t.”

“What are you planning for her party?”

“I rented a private party room at a restaurant just up the coast. It’s a steakhouse I took Jade to when we first moved here. She really liked it. The private room overlooks the ocean.”

“Do they let you decorate or bring your own cake in?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Give me the number and I’ll call and ask. Or do you not want me to? Sorry, I kind of took over, didn’t I? I couldn’t help myself. You know how much I love planning parties.”

Once Harper gets an idea, she runs with it.

“If you want to take over the party plans, I’m totally fine with that. I’m sure you’d do a better job than I would. I’ll send you the phone number for the restaurant.”

She squeals. “This is going to be so much fun! I can’t wait! And I can’t wait to see you both. Sean and I really miss you guys. I wish we lived out there.”

If Sean would just tell her about his job offer, maybe theycouldlive out here.

“I’ll let you go, but I’ll call later with any party updates. Bye, Garret.”

Jade is going to be shocked when Sean, Harper, and Grace show up next Friday. She’s already excited about Frank and Ryan coming. She thinks we’re just going out for dinner here in town, but I wanted to do something special since Jade’s never had a birthday party. That’s why I reserved the private room at the restaurant. But I didn’t plan to decorate it. I knew I wouldn’t have time with everyone flying into town that day, so I’m glad Harper offered to take care of that.

On the way home from class, I stop and get two big ice cream sundaes. Jade won’t be able to eat all of hers but I got her the big one anyway.

As soon as I walk in the door, Jade runs up and gives me a hug.

“You brought me ice cream!” She takes the sack from me and sets it on the kitchen table.

“Didn’t you ask me to?”

“Yes, but I wasn’t sure if you’d remember.” She comes back over and kisses me. Like really kisses me.

I smile. “You must be feeling better.”

“A lot better. I finally have some energy.” She pulls me to the table and takes the sundae containers and spoons out of the paper sack. “We’re having ice cream for dinner. Isn’t this great?”

“It’s a perk of being a grown-up. Dinner can be whatever you want.”

“Tomorrow we should have donuts for dinner. Like all different kinds. A donut smorgasbord.”

I laugh. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’ll get you donuts for your birthday breakfast. How does that sound?”

“I get a birthday breakfast?”

“Of course. The celebrating starts as soon as you wake up.”

“I thought we were just going out for dinner.”

“A birthday is an all-day event, Jade. Last year you screwed everything up by not telling me it was your birthday. If you’d told me sooner I would’ve planned out the entire day. But instead I had to try to salvage the last few hours with a movie and ice cream.”

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