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Kylie’s busy texting on the way there, and when she notices me watching her, she immediately puts her phone down. “Sorry. Gia is in full party-planning mode and is asking a million questions.”

“They’re really going all out.”

“They just want it to be perfect for you.”

“All I care about is hanging out with my best friends. Nothing else matters to me.”

Kylie grabs my hand. “I think that’s why she wants everything to be exactly what you’d want. You deserve to be spoiled.”

I kiss the back of her hand. “Mission accomplished.”

“Not even close, but I love you for thinking that.”

After parking the car, the three of us walk into the packed restaurant lobby. Kylie stops me from walking up to the hostess stand. “I wanted to do something special tonight, so I asked for one of the private tables for just the three of us.”

“Really? I’ve never been in one of those before.”

“I thought it would be fun to make this different from our other date nights.”

I hold my hand out. “Lead the way, Mama.”

With a secretive smile, she turns to talk to the hostess. Then we’re led around the main dining room toward the side of the restaurant where they hold events. Kylie holds Luddy’s hand, who skips next to her in excitement. I wonder if she knew what Kylie had planned before we arrived.

When the hostess gets to the door, she turns with a smile. “Happy birthday. Enjoy your evening.”

“Thank you.” I push open the door and jump out of my skin in shock.

“Surprise!” The entire room is full of people shouting happy birthday at me, and I have to blink multiple times to comprehend exactly what I’m seeing.

Kylie’s hand on my back finally pulls my attention away from my friends. She’s grinning up at me, full of smug pride for pulling one over on me. “Surprise. Happy birthday, my love.”

Shaking my head at her, I grip the back of her neck and pull her into me for a long kiss. “You tricksy little woman. I love you so much.”

She laughs, her eyes sparkling with pure adoration. “Love you more.”

I finally move deeper into the room to take in all the people who came to celebrate. My three best friends and their families, Holt’s parents and brothers, my parents and brother, even Dani came to celebrate.

Mom is the first one to hug me. She whispers in my ear, “Your girl is a special one, darling. Don’t let her get away.”

“I won’t,” I promise her.

More hugs are given, and I do my best to thank everyone who came. It’s taking everything I have not to cry right now. And not because I’d be embarrassed about it or made fun of for it. I’m pretty sure if I started, it would make everyone else start up as well, and that’s the last thing we need at this particular moment.

When I finally make my way back to Kylie, I wrap my arms around her and hide my face in her neck to get myself under control.

“Thank you for this, Ladybug.”

She runs her palms up and down my spine. “You deserve to be celebrated. You’re always doing so much for everyone else. We wanted to make sure you knew how much we love you.”

After a deep breath, I straighten. “All right, you secretive as—jerks, I need a drink, and there better be cake to make up for scaring the crap out of me.”

Holt barks out a laugh as he hands over his full beer. He strides over to the bar in the corner to order another from the Chateau employee.

There’s a table of food on the other side of the room ready for us to help ourselves, but before I can peruse the offering, Kylie shows up with a platter of my favorite chocolate cake.

I lean down to whisper in her ear, “What are the chances we can get some of this to go so I can lick the icing off you later?”

Her eyes widen. “Grayson!”