39
CLAIRE
This day couldn’t be any more perfect.
Johnny’s plan of saving Billy totally worked.
I may or may not have fatally poisoned my abusive ex.
My dream man asked me to be his girlfriend and followed it up with an earth-shattering orgasm on the rooftop overlooking the most magical sunset I’ve ever witnessed.
And now, we’re at one of my favorite places, finishing off a massive stack of pancakes together.
“Hey.” Johnny reaches across the table and looks into my eyes. “Promise me you won’t be mad?”
“What?” His question throws me for a loop.
“Just promise.”
“Fine, what did you do?”
It’s then that I notice Bram approaching in my peripheral and everyone in the diner breaks into song.
“Happy birthday, to you…”
I turn back to Johnny, my eyes wide and my cheeks turning twelve shades redder.
“You promised,” he whispers in between lyrics. “Happy birthday, tomy girlfriend,” Johnny adds in place of my name. “Happy birthday, to you.”
Bram beams and sets the plate with the blueberry old-fashioned down onto the table. “Happy birthday, Claire. Make a wish.”
I glance at the lit candle, and then at Johnny. In this moment, what else could a girl want? I already have everything I could ever hope for.
Except, there is one thing.
I suck in a breath and blow out the flame, hoping like hell my wish comes true. There’s only one more piece of the puzzle that needs to fall into place before Johnny and I can truly be free.
“Thank you,” I tell Bram.
He grips my shoulder and smiles. “You have no idea how hard it was to ignore you this morning when you came in for coffee.” Bram laughs. “I’m the worst with surprises.”
“I thought you were acting weird.” I poke my head around and wave at the cook, Carlos, before he makes his way back to the kitchen.
“And by the way, we’ve got your shift covered tomorrow, so no need to come in. Stay up all night doing whatever it is you kids do nowadays. Enjoy yourself.” Bram grabs the empty plates from our table.
I glance at Johnny, a few ideas of how we could occupy our newfound time coming to mind.
He winks in response, and my heart nearly flutters out of my chest.
Yeah, tonight really is perfect.
I split my donut in half and give Johnny the other side. “How’d you know?”
“You leave your wallet on the counter.” He breaks off a chunk of his and pops it into his mouth. “Good thing I pay attention to the details.”
How can such a random thing turn me on?
I grin and shake my head. “I really thought I’d sneak it past you.”