Page 41 of Promise Me Ever After
Darcy practically bounced around in her seat. I turned to her.
“What have you done?” I demanded. “You, of all people, should know I don’t like being kept in the dark about plans.”
She pointed a finger at her chest. “Ididn’t do anything.”
My brows pulled together. “But you know who did?”
When the taxi pulled up outside the back entrance of the Ealynn Arms, I knew we weren’t going for a quiet, sisterly dinner. Darcy paid the driver and pulled me out of the backseat.
“Don’t be mad at him. He only wanted to make you feel special,” she whispered as we walked through the door.
My stomach somersaulted. He? Who the hell was she talking about?
At my arrival, the room erupted with choruses of ‘surprise’ and ‘Happy Birthday’. I heard party poppers going off and streamers draped themselves around my hair and shoulders. Not used to being the centre of attention, my cheeks flamed. Someone thrust a glass of champagne into my hand and someone else took my coat from me.
Alex stood in front of me, his sapphire gaze drinking me in from head to toe. “Happy Birthday.”
“I’m going to find Fraser,” Darcy said from beside me. “Have a good night, sis.” She kissed my cheek, winked and then disappeared into the throng.
I looked between Alex and the crowd of people in the pub. Against one wall was a table of party food: mini burgers, pizza, chips, dips. At one end of the table was a huge chocolate cake.
“Did you really do all this for me?”
“No,” he said, nodding at the same time.
“You shouldn’t have.”
“What? And let you stay at home alone on your birthday?”
“Darcy was taking me out for dinner,” I protested. “How did you know I wouldn’t have preferred that?”
“Because I wouldn’t have been there.” He stepped closer, his lips brushing my cheek.
I shivered, hating how right he was.
“Georgie! Happy Birthday!” Ems bounded over, pushing Alex out of the way and gave me a huge hug. “Can’t believe this one managed to pull off the surprise of the year.” She punched him lightly on the arm and winked. “If I’d have known you could do something like this, I’d have given you more of a chance.”
Alex laughed. “Good to know, Ems, but I think that ship sailed long ago.”
“I need food,” I said, draining the champagne. “I thought Darcy was taking me for dinner, so I’m starving.”
Alex placed a hand in the small of my back and propelled me towards the buffet table. “Only hungry for food?” he whispered into my ear.
“Why what else are you offering?”
His palm brushed over my arse, fingers slipping beneath the hem of my dress. “Whatever you want, Georgie. All you have to do is tell me what it is.”
I grabbed his hand before he could take it any further. There was no denying I wanted him. He’d gone to so much effort with this party and I couldn’t wait for us to be alone. Turning to face him, I reached up and pushed his hair away from his face. “How long it is appropriate for the birthday girl to stay before she leaves her own party?” I batted my eyelashes at him.
“Oh, I think you need to stay at least an hour, there are lots of people you need to meet.”
“Then I need to eat first.” I turned my attention to the food, loading a plate with all the mini things. “Did you make these?”
Alex shook his head. “Nope. All courtesy of the pub’s cook, nothing to do with me on this occasion. I mean, I could rustle you up something later if you want?” He waggled his eyebrows.
I tilted my head to one side. “Why would I be with you later?”
He leaned close to my ear, his breath tickling the skin. “Because, Georgie Cavanagh, if I don’t have you tonight then I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
