Page 236 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

EIGHT

“I have a surprise for you,” John said.

Siena blinked up at him, happy and sweet in the next breath. “For what?”

“It’s not much.”

“I don’t care. It’s from you. Anything from you is wonderful, John.”

He had no doubt she was telling the truth. He could see it in her eyes, and feel it in the way her fingers curved around his wrists to hold on tight.

John had come to figure out that Siena was somewhat of a cornerstone in his life—long term, and short term. He had regaled himself to the belief that everything he did for them now was so that they could have a future. He also got through the darker moments in his days by thinking about her.

She got him to the next breath. A thought about her smile made him wake up in the morning. Memories of them got him looking forward to the next week.

So, yeah.

Long term.

And short term.

Siena was all of it for John.

“It’s in the kitchen,” he told her.

Siena pressed her palm into John’s, and wrapped their fingers tightly together. With a soft laugh, she pulled him along to the kitchen. She came to a sudden, full stop when the item on the island counter caught her eye.

“You didn’t—”

“Thought I forgot, did you?” he interrupted her.

Grinning, John pressed a kiss to Siena’s temple.

“Never, babe,” he added.

Siena let out a little sigh, and her gaze drifted from him, to the item on the counter. A single cupcake, decorated in white frosting, and sprinkled with edible sparkles. The one candle inserted into the top flickered with a flame—he had lit it when he heard the lock jiggle in the door.

“Did anyone tell you yet today?” he asked.

Siena shook her head, and wetness gathered along her bottom lashes. “No, but I suppose it’s not very important in the grand scheme of things.”

Jesus.

Why would she ever think that?

Or feel that way?

“Siena, everything about you is most important—especially to me, dolcezza. Every part of you will always be important to me. You know that, don’t you?”

Her hand came up to cup his cheek, and her thumb stoked his skin with a soft touch. It was enough to chase away the chaos that had been John’s mind lately. So much had been piling up, and he took just a few minutes away from it all today, so he could be with Siena.

She took the rest away, too.

God, he loved this woman.

“Thank you,” she said.

John slid a hand around the back of Siena’s neck, and pulled her in for another quick, hard kiss. Her grin formed against his mouth, and he whispered, “Happy birthday, my sweet donna. Do you want me to sing it for you, too? I will.”