Page 113 of Rewriting the Story

“He’s having dinner with his sister,” I tell them. “He invited me to go, but Lucy is actually doing me a favor by distracting him until we’re done.”

“Oh, right.” Paige smiles as she steps off the small stool I gave her. I have to say, this impromptu party has come together quite nicely, even though I planned it in only a few days. I sort of feel like Ella right now. That girl can whip up a themed party like nobody’s business.

The theme for tonight is writers across the centuries. I basically forced everyone to dress up as one of their favorite authors to celebratemyfavorite author.

I’m dressed exactly like Henry—with fake glasses I got at the store, along with blue jeans and a button up top. I even have a notebook attached to my hip for when he gets here, because whenever he starts a new story, he always buys a new notebook.

“Okay, and do you guys think we have enough food and drinks? Because I can go to the—”

“Girl.” Paige grabs my shoulders. “Everything is perfect. There’s enough food for a small restaurant and drinks to last us a year. Everything is perfect,” she reassures me and I take a breath.

“Okay.” I shake out my shoulders. “I don’t know why I’m so stressed about this.”

“Welcome to being the host,” Ella jokes with me. “It may be my favorite thing to do, but when this one over here,” she gestures to Leo, “first hosted a party for all of us, you should have seen how freaked he was.”

“I was not that bad,” he tells us.

Ella only shakes her head as she disagrees, and Leo shoots her a look of disgust.

“Fine, then how about we each host a party and leave it up to our lovely guests to judge who is better?” Leo asks her, and Ella’s eyes pinch in thought.

“Done,” she says, holding out her hand. He shakes it, pulling her into his body.

“You two are the most competitive people I’ve ever met,” Oliver says as he turns the speakers on.

“It’s foreplay,” Paige tells him, and he shakes his head. “What? It is for them!”

I can’t help but laugh at this chaotically wonderful group of people, but it’s short-lived when I feel my phone buzz in my pocket.

Lucy: He’s too impatient to get home to you. I couldn't stall him any longer!

Lucy: Are you guys close to being ready? We’re right around the corner.

Amelia: We’re practically done, but if you can, stall him some more!

Lucy: I’ll try to walk slowly!

“Okay, he’s almost here,” I say, and everyone scrambles into gear. Ella and Leo hang the sign on my living room wall. Oliver and Grant blow up some more balloons, randomly throwing them all over the place. Paige rips streamers off the roll and throws them around too, while Hads turns the playlist I made on.

I wouldn't call this a surprise party, since we’re not jumping out and surprising him, but I think he will be shocked to see everyone.

I can’t wait to see the look on his face. Even though it’s a small celebration, he deserves it. Writing a book is no easy feat, and knowing how much he struggled with this one, this is the least I could do to show how proud I am of him.

“Why is my heart beating so fast? Am I going to have a heart attack?” I turn to Ella, and she simply shakes her head.

“Reel it in, girl. It’s just a get-together, and he’s going to love it.”

“Ames, do you think he’ll be mad at me for not dressing as him?” Grant says as he adjusts his outfit.

“Babe, I think he’ll be okay.” Hads motions to his custom-made shirt with Henry’s name and face on it. “Given the circumstances, I’m sure he’ll be more confused than anything.

“He’s going to be so mad at you,” Oliver jokes—as much as he can for one day—and Grant’s face falls before he turns to Hads.

“Grant, it’s fine,” she reassures him. “Plus, I’m glad you dressed as who you did because, without that book, we would not be here right now.”

“Thank God for my man Fitzy.”

“And his wife,” Hads reminds him.

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