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Jay laughs casually. “Yup, twenty-five today. Although, I’m pretty sure nothing will top twenty-four,” he says smoothly before picking up his drink and taking a sip, his eyes dancing with humor.
Carter laughs. “Am I ever going to meet the girl that has you smiling like a virgin?”
Jay sprays the table in front of him with his drink, and I snort in laughter.
Carter passes him a napkin, grinning, and I have to turn away, trying to avoid Jay’s eyes.
“You okay over there?” Cash asks, drawing the attention of my grandparents.
Jay elbows Carter, who only laughs harder, and mumbles, “Sorry.”
Carter’s smug as he extends his arm behind Jay’s chair. “I was just telling Jay that I never see him anymore. My hunch is that he’s met a girl.” He eyes his best friend and smirks. “When are we going to meet her?”
If I could sink below the table and disappear, I’d do it in a heartbeat.
“The only woman I’ve been spending time with is your sister,” Jay says casually, as if he didn’t just drop a bomb. The entire table goes silent.
“Because of the ball,” I rush out.
Jay’s eyes light up. He loves to make me squirm, but we both know he’s not any more ready to expose us than I am. I drop a hand to his thigh and bite back a smile when he stiffens beneath it.
“Leslie said it was the best event she’s ever attended,” my grandmother says, surprising us all.
My hand stills, and Jay rests his on top of it, giving it a squeeze. “Catherine did an incredible job. I’ve had multiple calls asking for information about who planned the event. Her ideas and designs were inventive and beautifully executed. According to Cynthia Caldwell, at least.”
Pride surges through my veins and warms my cheeks.
“I’ve heard the same thing,” my grandmother says, a rare warmth emanating from her. “Wish we’d been there,” she adds, that warmth cooling drastically and a tightness to her tone.
My shoulders fold in on themselves, but Jay doesn’t allow it. He squeezes my hand again. “My apologies. That was an oversight on my part. I’ll make sure you get a personal invitation next year.”
My grandmother nods, and fortunately, the waitress arrives to take our orders. For the next ninety minutes, we’re entertained. We laugh and tease, and it feels oddly perfect having Jay by my side. He fits in with my brothers so well, and I can’t help but envision a future where we’re doing this out in the open.
“I still can’t believe we have the same birthday,” I mutter when no one else is looking. “How did I not know this?”
The flame from the hibachi reflects in Jay’s eyes when he smirks at me. “You going to get me a present?”
I roll my eyes as I focus back on the show in front of us. “Pretty sure I did last night.”
Not missing a beat, he stabs the shrimp on his plate and brings it to his mouth. “And twice this morning.”
The waitress arrives with the fried ice cream and two candles and my family sings to the both of us. When Cash tells us to make a wish, Jay and I lean in.
“Every wish I’ve ever made came true last night, Kitten,” Jay rumbles quietly. “So this one’s yours.”
I close my eyes and wish that I get to spend every birthday for the rest of my life with this man by my side.
49
YOU WERE MEANT FOR ME BY JEWEL
JAY
The first few weeks of November are a blur. They’re nights wrapped in Cat’s arms,mornings between her thighs, stealing her away from work for lunches. Sunday afternoons at the farmers’ market, brunch with her brothers, dirty martinis on the rooftop of the penthouse in the hot tub. It’s everything my girl likes. And I fall harder for her with every passing day, every kiss, every whisperedI love you.
My father has been unusually quiet. He’s gearing up for a trip to London and dealing with his ex-wife, my brothers’ mother, which always takes a lot out of him, so I chalk the unusual behavior up to that.
He hasn’t said a word about Catherine Bouvier, and I’m cautiously optimistic that it’s because his worries lie elsewhere.
