Page 68 of The Baby-whisperer and the Brute
This wasn’t just a birthday celebration—it was a farewell.
“To the birthday girl. May this year be her best ever... whatever it may hold.”
Angelina’s eyes filled with tears. She lifted her glass and clinked the rim against mine.
“Thank you, Sully,” she whispered. Her voice sounded thick and raspy like she might be struggling not to cry. “I... I’m so shocked, I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Just enjoy your birthday dinner.”
She took a sip from her glass and set it down beside her plate. The waiter took that as his cue to begin serving. Removing the lid from his platter, he delivered two plates of appetizers to the table followed by a main course of seafood scampi with a mixed green salad.
As Angelina began to eat, she started looking and acting more like herself. She took another sip of chardonnay.
“This is my first time having wine,” she told me.
“I know. That’s why I ordered this one—the caterer said it was a nice ‘starter wine.’”
“Sounds like the bottle should have training wheels on it or something.” She laughed. “It’s also my first time eating out for my birthday.”
“You’re kidding.”
She shook her head. “No. My mom didn’t believe in being ‘frivolous,’ and she definitely didn’t believe in going out. I actually started cooking my own birthday dinners after about age ten.”
“Well that sucks—pardon my language, but it does. No Chuck E. Cheese? No princess parties?”
“Not a one.” Angelina gave me a sad smile, then her face brightened. “This is wonderful, though. The food’s delicious.”
“Well, you know, I would have taken you out to someplace fancy like the Cliffhouse or something, but I thought you’d probably tell me no.”
She laughed. “You’d have been right. But you found a way around it, Mr. Sneaky. I guess if you can’t bring Muhammad to the mountain, you bring dinner to the backyard, right?”
Looking down at herself and the casual sundress and flip flops she was wearing, she added, “I sort of feel like I should be more dressed up or something, though. I just threw this on after my bath.”
“You—look perfect,” I said honestly.
Angelina dropped her face, apparently trying to hide a blush that was still obvious. Once again, she looked like she was fighting back tears. “When did you have time to do all this? I mean, they built a gazebo in one day?”
“It’s a pre-built one actually. They just had to deliver it, which they did while you were out with the girls, and then the catering company and the decorators came and did their part tonight. All I did was lift my ‘big fat wallet,’ as you like to say. No muscle necessary.” I grinned at her. “It’s really not a big deal.”
“Itis.” She blinked, looked away, took another breath, and went on. “It is a big deal. I can’t believe you went to all this trouble for me. It really is the best birthday present I can imagine.”
“Oh this isn’t your present.”
She blinked again. “It’s not?”
I shook my head, twisting my lips to the side trying to contain the huge smile that wanted to come out. “No.”
Picking up my phone, I sent another text then set the phone down again.
“Thisis your present.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lucky the First Time
Sully
The beginning notes of a classical composition reached us through the darkness, coming from the direction of the pool house.
