“Okay,” I mutter, then a big smile creeps across my face when I see Dad leading Lennon into the kitchen.
“Well, look who I found loitering out the front,” Dad says. He claps Lennon on the back and sits down. Lennon slides down onto the seat next to me, his hand resting on my thigh underneath the table and his fingers gently stroking me. I shiver, and place my hand over his, squeezing it tight. I feel the luckiest girl in the world to have him as my boyfriend.
“So, how’s my birthday girl?” he asks with a smile.
“Pretty good,” I admit, nodding my head.
“Sleep well?” he asks with a wry smile, his eyes twinkling.
God, no wonder he and Mom get along so well. “Yes, thank you, and you?” I reply, shooting him my sternest glare while Mom places a stack of pancakes on the table, followed by a heaped plate of bacon, eggs, tomatoes, and mushrooms—all my favorites. My mouth waters, and I forget my annoyance at him trying to put me on the spot.
“Thanks, Mom,” I say with a smile as I pick up my knife and fork.
“You’re welcome. You know, I’ve done this every birthday since you were old enough to feed yourself. You’re still my baby, no matter what. You’ll always be my baby.”
I roll my eyes, embarrassed, but also grateful my parents love me so much. I glance at Lennon and wonder what his birthdays were like growing up.
“So,” Dad begins, changing the subject. “What are you two doing today? I assume you’ll be spending the day with Lennon and not your ageing parents?”
I nod, a pang of guilt hitting me, because I’ve always spent my birthday with them, but my guilt is quickly replaced with curiosity when I see Lennon’s smirk. He won’t tell me what he’s got planned. All I know is he’s spent a good portion of the last few weeks planning something. What if…? I shake my head, dismissing the thought as quickly as it develops. No. It’s way too soon for that.
Mom disappears and comes back a few minutes later carrying an armful of presents. She places them on the table next to me and stands back proudly as I open them. They’ve spoiled me, as usual, with new designer jeans, make-up, a few books and a healthy wad of cash I plan to put toward working on my car. I’ve neglected her lately since I’ve been spending all my spare time with Lennon—not that I’m complaining about that.
“Happy birthday, honey. I hope you have a great day.” She’s wiping away tears already. I laugh and lean over to give them both a hug.
“Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad.”
“I guess we’d better go,” Lennon says. “I have a big day planned. I hope you’re going to like it.”
I get up from the table and nod, taking his hand in mine. “Ready as I’m going to be. I’m excited!” I say with a grin.
***
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask, glancing at my watch again. I know I shouldn’t be impatient, but we’ve been driving for what feels like freakin’ hours already. I fight back a slight twinge of annoyance since I wasn’t expecting to spend the whole of my birthday squashed up in a car. Well, not like this, anyway.
“You’ll find out soon enough.” Lennon murmurs, then reaches over and touches my thigh, an amused smile on his face. “You’ve got to know everything, don’t you?”
“Not everything,” I retort. “Just why we’re wasting my birthday driving around for hours doing nothing.” I pout. I know how childish I’m being, especially after telling my mom I was a grown woman, but I can’t help it. Birthdays only last twenty-four hours, once a year. They’re sacred to me and he’s ruining it. “All this time we’ve spent in the car, we could’ve been doing… other things,” I purr, changing my tactic. I run my hand up and down his inner thigh until I notice a bulge growing in his pants and he shifts uncomfortably, trying to concentrate on the road ahead. I chuckle to myself, happy that I’ve aroused him. I widen my eyes and try to look all innocent and irresistible because I know that usually breaks him.
“We’re almost there,” he pleads with me. “Just trust me, okay?”