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Chapter eighteen
Jade
Twomonthsago
I stand on my back porch, surveying the cake table and drink coolers in the grass, and the piñata dangling from one of the trees. I tried hanging a “Happy Birthday” banner from the railing of the porch, but the wind had other plans.
Oh well. I’m sure the yard still looks magical to the kids.
It’s Rosie’s seventh birthday, and I want everything to be perfect. Well, as perfect as itcanbe. We invited all her school friends, including her “absolute best friend for life and ever and ever” Sarah. But all Rosie’s been talking about for the past week is how excited she is to see her dad.
The thing is, David won’t show. He’s never come to the house. And on top of that, he wants nothing to do with Rosie. It pains me, especially since she’s starting to suspect he won’t come. My lack of reassurance that he’ll be here is getting to her.
I sigh. I need to find her. People will start showing up in about a half hour, and the pizza I ordered should be here fifteen minutes after that.
“Hey.”
I jump, startled by the unexpected voice. When I turn in the direction it came from, I see Dom standing by the porch steps, a hot pink gift bag dangling from his hand.
“I just wanted to make sure you didn’t need help with setup. Although it looks like you’ve got it handled.”
“I always have it handled, grumpy.”
“I know.” The corner of his mouth quirks up, and I find myself staring at him for a second longer than I should. “So. You don’t need help?”
Again, I glance around the yard. There’s an extra table set up for the pizza, and I’m planning on keeping all the gifts inside in case the wind picks up again. Everything looks good. Except...
Seriously?
“Jesus Christ. I forgot to get paper plates. How did I remember forks, cups, and napkins, but I forgotplates?”
Dom steps up onto the porch and hands me Rosie’s gift. Our fingers brush, and I’m pretty sure his linger for a second on mine. “I’ll run and grab some from the store. Won’t take long. People will be here soon, right?”
“Dom, you don’t have to. I can ask one of the other parents—”
“I’ve got it. Don’t worry about it. Text me if you remember you need anything else.”
Before I can protest, Dom heads down the stairs, giving me a wave as he disappears around the house. I sigh. At least it’s one less thing I have to worry about.
The sliding door opens, and Rosie steps out. She’s in a poufy pink dress, her tiara crooked despite my many attempts to secure it to the top of her head.
“When will everyone be here, Auntie Jade?”
“Soon. Probably thirty minutes.”
I smile. She’s been asking me multiple times every hour when her friends will start showing up. I’m just glad she’s excited.
“And Daddy?”
My shoulders slump when I look at her. The way she’s standing tells me she’s bracing herself for the worst.
“I don’t think he’s coming, honey. But all your friends will be here soon. And then you guys can play, and we’ll eat pizza and cake and ice cream, and then you can open your presents, and—”
“Hellooooo?” someone calls from inside the house.
Rosie perks up. I breathe in a sigh of relief. It’s ridiculous for someone to show up this early, but if it keeps her distracted, I welcome it.
Pushing the sliding door open, Rosie runs back inside. Her delighted squeals are soon joined by someone else’s, and when I step into the house, I see Sarah and her jumping up and down.
