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The buzz of my phone tears my attention away from Meg. It’s a text from our doorman, who promised to let me know when Michael stepped into the building.

Jake:

He’s getting into the elevator now

Eyes wide, I jump to my feet. “Michael is here.”

Meg and I rush out of the bedroom and warn the crowd to hide, and then Ash flips off the lights.

Aunt Ava, Uncle Colton, and Asher hide behind the kitchen counter while Meg and I crouch behind the couch. She shoots me a look, eyes as bright as her smile. Heart hammering, I smooth my hands down my skirt. I really hope he enjoys this little surprise party.

Keys rattle on the other side of the door, and then the lock clicks. I bite my bottom lip, waiting for him to step inside.

“Isla?” he calls out from the hallway. “Baby? Ugh, she’s probably still at the rink.”

The disappointment in his voice sends a shiver down my spine. What if he thinks I forgot his birthday?

“Baby?” Meg mouths, raising a brow.

I lift a shoulder in a shrug. I like it.

Michael moves farther into the apartment, his footsteps quieter as he steps into the living room. From his hiding spot, Uncle Colton holds up three fingers.

Nodding, I elbow Meg to make sure she’s paying attention.

Uncle Colton puts one finger down, then another, and then we all jump out of our hiding places and Ash turns on the lights. Cheers and applause fill the room as we shout, “Happy birthday, Michael!”

Eyes wide, lips parted, he stares at us from the middle of the room. His shock doesn’t take away from how incredible he looks in his white shirt and black pants.

When his attention lands on me, my hands get clammy, and my knees go weak.

Slowly, I make my way to him. “Happy birthday,” I tell him when we’re eye to eye.

Smiling wide, he presses his palm to my cheek, his fingers gently caressing my skin. “Thank you.” He bends and pecks my lips.

Then, he makes his rounds, greeting his family.

“Your girlfriend wanted to organize a surprise party for you, and we all thought it was a great idea.” Uncle Colton comes closer and hugs his son. “Happy birthday, kid.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

I take a tiny step back, letting his family wish him a happy birthday. Then, it’s Ash’s turn. The grins that play on his and Michael’s faces are priceless. They’re opponents these days, and living in different states makes it hard for them to spend time together. It’s been months since they’ve seen one another, and the last time they did, they were probably on the ice.

The happiness radiating from Michael is why I wanted all of them here tonight.

A big hand wraps around mine, halting my thoughts, and when I blink back to the present, I discover everyone is staring at me. Eyebrows drawn together, Michael studies me. Then, he scans the rest of the small group.

“I need a moment with Isla alone.”

Asher barks out a laugh. “So romantic.”

“But just a moment!” Meg yells as we head down the hallway. “I’m hungry.”

“Meghan!” Aunt Ava scolds. “Let them be. They haven’t seen each other in two days.”

“Oh, I still remember the withdrawals I’d go through when I was away from you for more than a day,” Uncle Colton says as Michael closes the door of our bedroom, cutting off the sounds.

I try to suppress my laughter, but a snort escapes my lips before I can stop it. “I see it runs in the family.”