I called Whitney first thing Sunday morning and she assured me that Mike has no idea I’m coming to town this weekend. She said everyone knew to keep their mouths shut.
I just about blurted it out that night on the phone. When he told me to name the date and he would come to me, I almost spilled the beans, but I bit my tongue. He asked me twice this week when he could come and visit; I told him that my boss had me working on a project and I needed a couple of weeks so I could take a long weekend and spend more time with him. He seemed disappointed, but he accepted my lame excuse.
As I cross the city limits sign, my heart races. I’m just ten minutes from Whit’s house. She said we’re going to get the gang together tonight. I know my best friend and she’s more than willing to work at fixing me up. Even Olivia’s texted me this week, telling me how excited Mike is going to be when he sees me. I know she’s right, and that has a blinding smile lighting up my face. I can’t wait to see him.
I pull up outside of Whitney and Aaron’s and they’re sitting on the front porch. It’s a warm day for mid-April. Whit bounds off the porch and rushes to my door. I climb out and we hug like it’s been months since we last saw one another, not weeks.
“How was the drive?” Aaron asks once we make our way up the porch steps.
“Good. Traffic was light.”
“I wish you would let us get you a flight.”
“It’s not a big deal, promise. So what’s the big plan for tonight? Mike’s going to be there, right?”
Aaron smirks and Whit smiles wide. “Oh he’s going to be there, all right. It’s because of him that we’re going out.”
I look at them, confused. “Why do you say that?”
“It’s his birthday.” Whit wiggles in her seat with excitement.
“What? I didn’t get him anything. Whitney!” I scold her. “You should’ve told me. Did you know that when you picked this weekend?”
Aaron laughs. “You’re here, Jamie. He’s gone for you. One look at you in the flesh and that’s better than anything you could buy him.” Reaching over, he laces his fingers through Whitney’s. “Trust me on this.”
“Yes, I knew. I thought it would be a great birthday present.” She waggles her eyebrows. “We have two hours to get ready. We’re all meeting at the bar at seven.”
“The bar?”
She rolls her eyes. “You know how he is, doesn’t like to have attention drawn to him. But he did agree to have a drink with everyone if we show up tonight.”
“Well this is more than I bargained for, but there’s no backing out now. Same room as last time?” I ask, heading down the steps to my car. I need to get my bag unpacked and change.
“Yep,” Whitney chirps.
I shake my head at her and smile. I love my best friend and her meddling ways.
Upstairs in my room, I lay out my clothing options on the bed. Knowing Mike’s favorite color is green, I settle for a green off-the-shoulder sweater, jeans and my new cowboy boots, black with a dark green stitching pattern. I pull my hair into a ponytail and sweep my bangs off to the side in a braid. Glancing in the mirror, I look country. I hope Mike likes it.
I find Whit and Aaron in the living room. Whitney’s dressed similar to me and I exhale. I want to fit in, for him and for me.
“Look at you,” Whit whistles. “That sweater brings out your eyes. He’s going to love it.”
I don’t tell her that I hope he does. She knows how much I like him because we’ve talked about it. I just wish we lived closer; this long-distance stuff sucks ass. Not to mention we’re not even in a relationship—at least I don’t think we are. All I know is that I look forward to his text and calls. He’s the highlight of every day, even six hours away.
We take Aaron’s truck, all three of us piled up front since Whit refused to let me sit in the back. I teased her that she just wanted to sit next to Aaron, but she reminded me that she can sit next to or on him any time she wants. Aaron smiles smugly and pulls her closer to him. I just laugh at them and stare out the window the rest of the drive. I’m nervous as hell to see him.
“Ladies,” Aaron says, waving for us to walk ahead of him into the bar.
I fight back the urge to argue with him, that me bringing up the rear—mostly so I can hide behind him—is a better plan. I know the argument will do me no good. Aaron’s a southern gentleman, “ladies first” and all that. Instead I follow behind Whit as we find a table in the corner. Olivia and David are facing us, Kinley and Evan on the side. Mike sits with his back toward us.
My heart is racing and my palms are sweating. I’m nervous for how he’s going to react. I mean, I know he said he would come to me, but this is his birthday and it’s a long shot to just show up like this. We’re friends, right? Friends can surprise friends on their birthday.
“Look who the cat dragged in,” Olivia says loudly with a beaming smile.
I keep my eyes locked on Mike and tense as he slowly turns to look over his shoulder. I can feel everyone’s eyes on us, but I don’t dare look away from him. His eyes capture mine and they widen. I suck in a breath when he pushes from the table and stalks toward me. He’s grinning and I relax, but I barely have time to take a breath before his lips crash into mine. This is not the greeting I expected, but I embrace it, embrace him as I wrap my arms around his neck and lean into him. He deepens the kiss and I hold on for the ride. Catcalls and cheers have him pulling away, resting his forehead against mine.
“Good surprise?” I whisper, my voice laced with my desire for him.
“Best fucking surprise ever.” He kisses me one more time, soft and slow. When he pulls away, he’s still grinning. He laces his fingers through mine and pulls me to the table. Whit and Aaron are already sitting on the opposite side of Evan and Kinley, which leaves an open seat beside Mike for me. Mike has other plans as he takes his seat and tugs me into his lap.
“What are you doing?” I laugh.
“It’s been too damn long, darlin.’” He pulls our still-laced fingers to his lips and his soft lips caress the back of my hand.
“Surprise,” Olivia, Whitney, and Kinley say in unison.
Mike just laughs and shakes his head. “How did you know what I wanted?” he asks them.
I look down to my lap to avoid them seeing the embarrassment heat my face. Mike pulls me closer; he knows how his words affect me.
“Sister.” Olivia points to her chest. “I know all.”
“Thank you,” Mike says. It’s then I feel his lips next to my ear. “You’re exactly what I wanted.”
Lifting my head, I look into his deep blue eyes and see they’re filled with nothing but sincerity. Relaxing further into his hold, I lean against his chest. He slides his hand just under the hem of my shirt and lets it rest there.
“The birthday boy needs a shot,” David says, standing.
“I got all I need right here,” Mike says low enough that only I can hear him.
Olivia, Kinley, and Whitney start talking about the wedding while Evan and Aaron talk about a new horse they’re venturing in on together. Mike and I stay quiet, me on his lap, his arms around me, rubbing slow circles against the bare skin under my shirt. I’m not sure how I thought this night would turn out, but this is a pretty damn good outcome.