Page 24 of Party Favors

“Too bad you didn’t have a bottle opener.”

I grabbed my keys and triumphantly showed him that I did, in fact, have one.

“Why didn’t you get it earlier?”

“How would I have impressed you, then?” I asked, putting my keys back in my purse.

“Good point,” he said with a laugh.

“Back to birthdays. Do Monterrans have an equivalent of Sweet Sixteen?”

He thought for a moment and then said, “No. The big birthday that’s celebrated is eighteen—when a child becomes an adult. It’s often a formal event, and all of the celebrant’s friends and extended family come to it. There’s no other special traditions, though. It’s basically good food, a cake and singing, maybe fireworks, and dancing all night long.”

He had the best voice. There was almost a melodic feel to it, and I could have happily sat next to him all night just listening to him talk. I forced myself to take notes, though.

It was discouraging that they didn’t have something special or unique to celebrate a birthday. The formal part was interesting, though. We could require ball gowns and tuxedos.

“Are there any holiday events around this time of year?” I asked.

“One of the big ones is the carnival that takes place in the capital city every winter, usually right around Christmas.”

That sounded vaguely familiar to me. I was sure I remembered an interview with Kat when she’d talked about going to that carnival with Nico.

My mind was flooded with ideas. A winter wonderland. Ice sculptures of a castle, a carriage, a prince. I’d get candles, cascading blue and white flowers as centerpieces, glass ornaments, snow falling, white trees covered in white lights, garlands of flowers with blue lights intertwined coming down from the ceiling like giant icicles, and we’d have everybody in their fanciest clothes. It would be elegant and fun. I’d get performers and the most incredible food. I knew exactly who to call.

“Where did you just go?” Max asked.

“I think you just helped me figure out what I’m going to do for this party. If the client agrees.”

“I’m glad I could be of service.”

He could service my—I told my inner voice to knock it off. That wasn’t what was going on here.

I managed to say, “Thank you,” instead.

Unfortunately, my mouth started speaking before my brain could stop it. “Why did you come over and talk to me tonight?”

I wasn’t sure why I was asking. Some part of me believed that we’d been fated to meet, that like in some mythological story or fairy tale, he had shown up right when I needed him. The perfect person to help me on my path, like a birthday party fairy godfather.

He looked down at his bottle and my stomach dropped. “I saw that you were crying and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

My fears earlier about him seeing me as someone to be pitied came rushing back. I was over here having a great time with him, and he’d felt compelled to sit and talk to me in an attempt to make me feel better.

I felt crushed.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone approaching and heard them ask, “Do you mind if I interrupt you?”

CHAPTER EIGHT

I didn’t mind Vella interrupting us at all. Three minutes ago I would have told her to scram, but now that I knew Max pitied me? I wanted nothing more than to make my escape.

“Vella, this is Max. He’s from Monterra. Max, this is Vella. My best friend and roommate.”

“The one who made her come out tonight. I’m grateful that you did.” He gave her a heart-stopping smile and I saw the effect it had on her.

Despite her protestations that we weren’t attracted to the same kind of guy, Vella melted when he shook her hand.

Of course in the moment when I needed her to be strong, she was just as whipped as the rest of us. I’d never seen her with that goofy-looking expression on her face. She was going to start twirling the ends of her hair in a minute.

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