Page 9 of Lucky Girl

“What?”

“What if Eamon and I get married again and have a huge party. We could do that.”

“I’d be okay with that.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do,” I say as the elevator opens again and Eamon walks in.

“Happy Birthday, son,” Neil says.

“This is a surprise. I had anticipated a quiet evening.”

“Nonsense. It’s your thirty-fifth birthday; we must celebrate.”

“Mom, I’m sorry I’m exhausted as I am the only one who went out to the factory for the fire. I’ve spent hours answering questions from the damn fire marshal.”

“It was just a small fire. The whole lot of us didn’t need to go there. We’d just be in the way.”

“Even so.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask, knowing immediately something is wrong.

“I don’t like to celebrate my birthday,” he says. “And these guys know that.”

“But…” Annie says. “It’s your birthday.”

“I know, mom.”

“Fine, we’ll go. But I want a huge party, don’t forget, Fiadh,” she says, before kissing Eamon’s cheek. One by one, his family hugs him and departs.

“What party?” he says, as he comes closer to me.

“We are getting married again.”

“Okay,” he says, shrugging.

“Just like that?”

“I’d marry you every day for forever,” he says, and I love him even more for it.

“You always know just what to say. Happy birthday, husband.”

“Thank you, wife.”

“I have something for you,” I say.

“A present? I like presents, as long as they are from you.”

“Oh, good.” I untie my dress and let it fall to the floor.

His mouth opens and closes several times before he says, “Sweet Jesus, baby. You look amazing.”

“Thank you, but you should unwrap your present,” I say, putting my hands on my hips. He stalks toward me and pulls me into his arms.

“Fuck, Fee. You are everything to me.”

“You’re everything to me,” I reply.

“Let me get you out of this thing,” he says, spinning me around, making me gasp. He deftly unties the first strap, but that’s where the thing got tricky for me. Instead of even trying, he rips it off of me, tossing it to the floor.

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