Page 70 of Pieces of Us
Tonight, I want to celebrate with you. Get ready, wear what makes you feel beautiful, and I’ll be back at 6:30 to pick you up. We’re meeting the crew at 7.
Yours,
Linc
How did he know it was my birthday? Maybe he saw it on a form or heard it mentioned at a doctor’s visit. I smile as I close the card and smell one of the roses. I don’t remember the last time someone got me flowers. And the thought of getting out of the apartment sounds fun.
Heading to my room, I start getting ready. I only have a few “going out worthy” items now, so I pair a red satin button down top with black leggings. I freshen up my makeup and put a few new waves in my hair. I’m applying a fresh coat of my favorite red lipstick when I hear the front door close. I take one last look in the mirror, unplug my flat iron, and walk out to the kitchen, where I find Linc with a cupcake in his hands, topped with a candle.
He looks at me and smiles as he sets the cupcake down on the counter.
“Happy birthday, Mel.”
“Thank you. And thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful.”
He proceeds to light the candle on the cupcake. “You’re welcome. Come make a wish.”
I walk to the counter and close my eyes. The first wish that enters my mind is to have a happy, healthy baby. I blow out the candle, and Linc removes it.
“Have at it, Mama. It’s blackberry blackout.” He pushes the plate toward me as he licks a bit of icing off his finger.
“Are we going somewhere with food? If we are, you’re eating half.”
“We are.”
I grab a knife and cut the cupcake in half. I take the first bite, and it’s just as good as I remember.
“No moan this time?” He gives me a grin.
I shake my head. “Maybe it takes more than cake to make me moan now.”
He eyes me for a moment, then rinses off the plate.
“Get your purse, Melonie. We don’t have time to figure out what you mean by that.”
We take a car to Grill 23. When we walk in, Linc talks with the hostess, and they take us to a table where Jax, Audrey, Gigi, and Marcus are already sitting. As we approach, Marcus sees us and stands, grabbing the attention of the rest of the table.
“Happy birthday, Melonie.”
“Thank you, Marcus.” I greet the rest of the table. “Thank you all for coming to dinner.”
Gigi hugs me. “Pretty boy organized it all.”
I look at Linc. “Thank you, Linc. This is so nice.”
He pulls out my chair. “You’re welcome. I know dinner isn’t as exciting as past birthdays, but you’ve been eating steak like crazy, and I thought a night out would be nice.”
“It’s perfect.” I place a hand on his thigh as he sits beside me. “Really, thank you.”
He smiles. “I just wanted you to feel special today.”
“I do.”
He nods with a satisfied look on his face. As we move through dinner, I begin to realize the changes that have happened in my life this year. Closing down bars is replaced with early bedtimes. Nights on the couch are better than trying to meet someone at a club. And I’m more peaceful because of it. Being happy with the friends that surround me and having a place I like to come home to. Having Linc as my roommate has given me someone to share my days with, and it’s comforting not to come home to an empty apartment.
Audrey raises her water once we finish our desserts. Yes, I had cake a second time.
“Cheers and happy birthday, Melonie. We all love you so much, and just think, next birthday, we’ll have another person at the table!”
