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“I didn’t have anything to do with your gift. I just picked up the cake,” Tristan assures me.
They file in one at a time, hugging my mom. Hemi has met her before, but Rix, Tally, and Tristan haven’t had the pleasure.
While we’re still partially in the hallway, Hollis opens his door, holding a large box. He’s wearing black dress pants, a blue button-down, and another tie I gave him. He looks delicious, like the birthday present I most want to unwrap. Again. There are other gifts at his place for me, I know. But those are for later, after everyone goes home and my parents are in bed.
“I like the tiara,” he says with a smirk.
“One guess who got it for me.”
His grin widens. “Oh, I was there when it was purchased.”
I roll my eyes. “Of course you were.”
“Hollis! It’s been too long!” Mom pulls him in for a hug.
Her brow furrows as her gaze slides my way. Anxiety makes my heart gallop. I’m being paranoid. There’s no way she knows what’s going on.
“Zara, it’s always a pleasure. Did North come with you?” Hollis asks as she takes the box he’s holding.
“He did! He’s just centering himself, but he’ll be out shortly.”
Dad goes into host mode, pouring drinks, ensuring that everyone knows that there’s a vegan, gluten-free charcuterie board. He also makes every new guest stand with me under the balloon arch for a photo. It’s ridiculously over the top, and I love him for it.
When North finally appears nearly two hours later, it’s very clear that he centered himself with a giant doobie out the window, because he smells like he rolled in a field of burning marijuana. He immediately drinks two liters of water and loads a plate with fifty percent of the vegan charcuterie board.
Almost the entire team is here. Shilpa and Ash brought Dred, Flip, and Dallas with them. Music is playing, and there’s a ridiculous pile of gifts in one corner of the room. Yesterday I went out with my school friends for a birthday lunch. It was easy to get out of a club night with my mom in town.
“So is North your stepdad?” Tally sips her mocktail and watches as he chats up one of the team rookies.
“Um, I guess, sort of? He and my mom aren’t married, but they consider each other life partners. They have an open relationship.” Last year they brought a friend along and invited Flip and Dallas to join them in the hot tub. Dad put his foot down and told North he couldn’t entice his teammates into bed with them. “They love each other, but they also love variety. It’s not for everyone, and certainly not for me, but it works for them. You should see their communication skills,” I explain.
“I would never share Ash,” Shilpa declares.
“I feel the same way about sharing Tristan,” Rix says. His sex life was prolific and extensive prior to falling in love with her. I can’t imagine him letting someone else touch her either.
“I’ve done it, but I don’t think I would make it part of my love life quite like they have,” Dred says.
“Really?” Hemi asks.
Dred shrugs. “It was during my university days. It lasted a few months. It was fun, but the dynamics can be challenging.”
“You’re full of surprises underneath that cardigan, aren’t you?” I muse.
“Apparently.” Dred smirks.
I find Hollis across the room. His gaze locks on mine for a second before he turns his attention back to his conversation with Dallas and Tristan. “Yeah, I’m not a sharing kind of girl either.”
Rix elbows me. “Stop it with the lust eyes.”
“Sorry.” I down the rest of my prosecco.
Despite spending most of the evening on the opposite side of the room, eventually Hollis and I end up in the kitchen together. Dinner is over and cake is next, but we’re taking a short break to refresh drinks. I glance over my shoulder to make sure we’re alone.
“You look stunning,” he says quietly. “Staying away from you is killing me.”
I live for these stolen moments as I pick up his tie and let it slip through my fingers. “We can’t even get five minutes alone.”
“Later, when everyone’s in bed, I’ll take care of my birthday girl,” he murmurs as he adjusts my tiara. “And this should stay on.” He drops his hand in a rush and steps back, gaze shifting over my shoulder. “Hey, Zara, can I get you something?”
