Page 11 of Spark
“Can you stop nagging me and show me where you want it? This thing is heavier than it looks.” My hands slippery, I shift the box for a better grip because there is no way I can drop this and disappoint Olive.
“Yay! Uncle Fin is here!” Over the top of the box, I see a flash of blond pigtails and rainbow tulle racing down the curved staircase. Olive launches herself at my legs. I wobble but, with effort, manage to keep myself and the cake upright. “You brought the cake!” Every sentence is said with such exuberance, one would think the child is simply excited about her birthday. However, exuberance is Olive’s default.
Just like her dad, only cuter.
“I did bring the cake, and you’re going to love it. Now, let go of my legs so I can set it down, and we can all see it.” I wiggle my leg to nudge her loose, a burn gliding up my biceps from the strain of keeping the cake upright.
Olive releases her death grip and sails toward the back of the house. “This way, Uncle Fin. The cake goes out here.” She’s gone before she finishes the sentence, her words bouncing off the hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings.
Cam watches his girl with a mixture of pride and wonderment. He’s so different from our parents. Don’t get me wrong, they weren’t bad parents, just… distracted. But even as a single parent, Cam makes it to all of Olive’s activities, and most important, he’spresent.
“Follow me. Everything is almost set up out back.” He directs me to follow him as we head through the gourmet kitchen. Caterers are busy preparing mini burgers, mac-and-cheese balls, taco cups, PB&J tacos, and an assortment of other menu items that I have heard about non-stop for the last month.
“You can put it over there.” Cam points to an eight-foot table with a rainbow tablecloth sitting under the pergola, which is decorated with flowers, stuffed monkeys, and an enormous sign that reads “Happy 6th Birthday, Olive”.
I set the cake down and lift the lid of the box, revealing five round tiers, each a different color of orange, purple, green, blue, and red. Lions, giraffes, elephants, tigers, koalas, and many other zoo animals are peaking over walls, hanging from trees, and napping by ponds. The artistry is remarkable and one of the many reasons Bliss Bakery is my favorite.
“Oh, Daddy, it’s beautiful.” Olive’s cerulean eyes are vast orbs of awe.
Cam sweeps her into his arms. “Only the best for my girl.”
“I love you.” She wraps her little arms around his neck and squeezes.
Only Olive can cause my hulking brother to melt into a puddle of goo. “I love you, too, Olive Oil.”
Wanting to let Cam have this moment with his daughter, I turn to take in the rest of the backyard. At the far end are three men putting up a bouncy-house castle. Laughter at my brother going overboard lodges in my throat when my eyes collide with the tall, dark-haired man standing to the side, seeming to supervise.
It can’t be…
Why would he be here?
But when his gaze connects with mine, my skin heats from within, and all rational thought vanishes as I stand and stare at the gorgeous man who has consumed my thoughts and entered my dreams for over a week.
Mateo.
I’m going to kill Cam.
Chapter Four
Mateo
Finlayisasgorgeousas I remember. And honestly, even more so, under the bright light of day, with sunlight shining over his hair, teasing out the subtle shades of blond and brown.
For over a week, he’s dominated my thoughts. Especially at night when I’m in bed, and when I’m at the club. I’ve anticipated this day, imagined what I’ll say, what he’ll say, and what could happen between us.
Nervous energy rolls through me like a spiked mace. I don’t want to blow this chance with him.
Smiling, I nod and wave. As much as I want to stride across the yard and pursue this, I technically have a job to do. Not that the bounce castle employees need supervision. Far from it. They are seasoned pros, and they’ve taken my interest in how a castle is set up—my guise for standing around and watching—in stride.
The way Finlay’s eyes have gone wide, I think he’s shocked to see me. Which means Cam didn’t tell him I’d be here. And that’s interesting because the three times that I’ve seen Cam at rugby practice and games in the past eight days, he’s mentioned Finlay and the party to me each time.
He raises a hand and waves, then glances behind him when Olive’s laughter rings out.
A few steps behind Finlay, Cam kneels and through cupped hands, says something to Olive. With a grin and nod, she takes off running, straight toward me. I spare one look at Cam and his over-exaggerated innocence, before turning my attention to the tiny figure rocketing my way.
Blue eyes sparkling with her enthusiastic smile, Olive grabs my hand. "My daddy says that supervising is thirsty work, and you should come with me to get a drink."
I glance at the workers to my right. They are finishing the final checks on the completed blue and purple castle. With turrets and a green smiling dragon on one side, it’s going to be a huge hit with the kids. "What do you think of the bounce castle, Olive?"
