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I jump at the sound, tripping myself when I turn around. Aiden grabs me and sets me upright. I feel my cheeks burn as I look around and everyone is staring at me. It takes me a couple seconds to fully grasp what is happening.
I cover my mouth as I notice who is here. I look around and see the large banner that reads HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ADDISON!
Oh, my God!
I spin around to Aiden, and he’s flashing his megawatt smile. “You!” I yell, pointing at him.
He picks me up, laughing. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.” He kisses me and the crowd goes wild. I shake my head as he puts me down. I can’t believe this. I can’t believe they pulled this off without me knowing.
Sydney runs and jumps in my arms. “We did it! We surprised you!” she screams, jumping up and down.
“Either you’re getting better at hiding stuff or I’m losing my touch,” I say.
“You about killed me last night when you were saying you felt things were off,” she says, pushing my shoulder.
That’s it! This must be why I felt something was going on.
“So, there was never a rumor?” I ask, thinking maybe it was a diversion.
“No, the asshole did start that rumor,” Syd says flatly, rolling her eyes.
Aiden leans his chin on my shoulder. “What rumor?” I look at Syd. Oh, shit. I guess it hadn’t made its way to Aiden.
“Um … nothing,” I say.
Aiden whips me around. “What rumor, Addison?”
“It went around the office that you and Harper were …” I don’t even finish. I can’t say it out loud.
His eyes widen and he tilts his head a little. “What! Who spread around that rumor?”
I scrunch my nose. “I never believed it,” I say.
“Who do I need to kill?”
“When you put it that way, I’m not going to tell you. He’s not worth your time,” I say crossing my arms.
“You’re not going to go enjoy your party until you tell me.” His hands on my hips increase their grip.
I tell him the story that Bryn told me. When he thinks back to that day of the elevator incident, he remembers why Ned might think something was going on. He tells me he pushed Harper out of the elevator, and she was giggling and blushing because she had been talking about Max. He understands why there was a misunderstanding, but he’s still pissed.
“Baby, I would never.”
“I know. Well, I was almost certain.” His eyebrows shoot up. I shrug. “People were acting weird. And then you and Harper disappeared suddenly. I’m sorry I had any doubts. I knew you weren’t, but there was a tiny doubt,” I say, sighing. “I was going to talk to you about it this weekend.”
He pulls me outside and waits for the door to close to drown out the noise from the party. “Addison, I hate thinking that something I did caused you to doubt us.” He stares at me while holding both my hands.
“Aiden, this is silly. I really didn’t believe it. I love you and you’ve proven to me over and over how much you love me. We’re forever.” I stand on my toes and kiss him. Our bodies start to sway to the music in the club.
“I love you,” he mumbles on my lips.
“Enough hogging the birthday girl,” Uncle Ted says. I do a double take when I hear his voice.
“Ted!” I scream and jump into his arms.
“Happy birthday, Addison,” he says warmly, wrapping me in a hug. He looks at Aiden. “You did good, son.” Then he shakes his hand.
I look back at Aiden and say, “He did, didn’t he?”
