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“Happy birthday to you...”
Soon, everyone is joining in to wish Val a happy birthday. As my mother places the small cake down in front of her, she shuts her eyes to make a wish and blows out the candle. Everyone cheers, and then my mother cuts the larger cake and makes sure everyone has a slice.
“So, Val, did Chase do something special for your birthday?” My Aunt Connie wants to know.
I smile as Val tells everyone about the hot-air balloon ride and the bowling alley.
“A sunset balloon ride? Damn, Chase was really trying hard to make an impression,” says a family member.
“Yes, but now Val will expect every birthday to be that special. You shot yourself in the foot, boy.”
Everyone laughs good-naturedly.
“I want to hear about the bowling alley. Did you enjoy that as well?”
I watch as Val gets a sly look on her face. “I certainly did. Chase was nice enough to show me the ropes and explain the game to me. He told me the rules and how to choose a ball.”
I interrupt her story. “Yeah, and Val let me. Then she bowled a turkey.”
“What?”
“Yeah, come to find out, she played in a league when she was in college, and they made it to the championships that year.”
“Oh my. I wish I could have been there to see Chase’s face,” my mother says with a laugh.
“Good one, Val. It sounds like Chase has met his match,” My Aunt Connie states to the group.
My aunt leans in and says something low to Val, and I watch as she nods, and a flush covers her face. I wonder what my aunt said to her.
I notice Val’s glass is empty, so I get up and fill both of our glasses with more tea. When I set the glass in front of her, she smiles her thanks.
My cell phone buzzes, and I look down to see Carson, my oldest brother, who has included me in a three-way chat with my middle brother, Carter, who is out of the country.
“Chase is so whipped! Poor sucker! He just got his bride a drink without her asking. How the mighty have fallen. Playboy no more!”
I grin as my middle brother, Carter, texts back, “It was only a matter of time. Ever since he started talking non-stop about Val, I knew. But he kept denying it and didn’t want to ruin their friendship. LOL!”
I text back, “I’m the first, but you two will be next. Mark my words.”
I laugh as both of them immediately text back, “Never, no way! Not gonna happen!”
I look up at Carson, who is sitting up near the head of the table. I just grin and nod my head. He shakes his head in denial, and I just shrug as I text, “I give you both a year, maybe two. Then we’ll see who’s right.”
As we get ready to leave for the night, we thank my mom and say our goodbyes.
As we walk out the door, we hear my Aunt Connie ask loudly, “I asked Val when they would be starting a family. Bonnie, when are you going to start nagging them about grandchildren?”
Val and I hear my mom’s answer. “I’m not Connie. You know how Chase feels about kids. He’s never wanted children. I’ll give them a few years, and then we’ll see.”
Twelve
Val
Chase has been working nights for the past few days. He goes in around midnight and doesn’t get home until eight o’clock the next morning.
It’s only me in the bed, alone. It’s amazing how quickly I’ve become used to having Chase in bed with me. Not just the great sex. I also miss his warm body and snuggling up against him during the night. Waking up in his strong arms.
I sigh as I think about the last time we had sex. I woke him up by tracing his tattoos with my lips. I shiver as I remember the intense look in his blue eyes. The man just has to look at me to turn me on, so I’m glad I can make him feel that same level of desire.
