Leo: All I can think about is fucking you in the security room with all the cameras aimed at you. Can you imagine all the different views I could get of you coming?
Me: STILL NOT AN ANSWER! (But I really like where you’re going with that!) Leo: Lol. It’s your birthday, angel. If you want me there, I wouldn’t be anywhere else.
Me: Can we order takeout tonight? You’ve been out of town for, like, three days. I won’t make it through dinner without mole-sting you.
Leo: Ah yes. Molesting. My favorite.
Me: Molesting* Fucking autocorrect.
Leo: Don’t lie! If you want to get kinky, just say so. I’m not sure how I feel about moles, but I’m willing to discuss.
Me: I hate you.
Leo: I hate you too. My place at six?
Me: I wouldn’t be anywhere else. XOXO
Friday Night…
Leo: What are you wearing tonight?
Me: Just jeans and a top.
Leo: Does it show off your boobs?
Me: Yes.
Leo: Heels?
Me: Yes.
Leo: So…I heard the party was moved to my bedroom. Totally true story.
Me: Your bed isn’t big enough for all four of us. I can ask Caleb if he’d like to snuggle with you though.
Leo: Too far.
Me: Yeah, I got a little sick thinking about that one too.
Leo: It’s a nice night. I’d like to take the bike, but I wanted to make sure you weren’t wearing a dress first.
Me: Yes! That sounds awesome! I’ve never ridden a motorcycle before. OMG! Does this make me your old lady?
Leo: Well, you are turning 35.
Me: You. Did. NOT. Just. Say. That.
Leo: I bought you a present!!!! Does that help?
Me: Get your ass over here now! I’m going to show you old lady.
Leo: Ohhhh…I like the sound of this. Leaving now.
Two hours later…
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Emma yells as Leo and I walk into the restaurant fifteen minutes late.
My legs are almost shaking from the sheer number of times I came earlier. Leo took birthday sex very seriously. He left the most delicious red burns on the insides of my thighs from the stubble on his beard—a subtle reminder every time I close my legs.
"Thank you!" I yell back, pulling her into a hug. "Y’all remember Leo, right?"
"What’s up, man?" Caleb says, extending a hand.
"Not a whole lot," Leo responds with a warm smile, dropping an arm around my waist.
"Happy birthday," Caleb smirks, giving me a tight squeeze on the shoulder. That’s about as good as it’s going to get between Caleb and me.
I smile, shaking my head. "Thank you."
"Come on. I have a table reserved," Leo says, pulling me toward the bar and past the long-ass line at the hostess stand.
"They don’t take reservations on Fridays," I inform him as he drags me behind him.
"They do if my girl’s birthday falls on a Friday," he responds, stopping at the corner of the bar.
The male bartender approaches us. "What can I get you?"
"I spoke with Alexander yesterday about a table for tonight. He told me to come see you when I got here. It’s under Leo James."
"Right. Hang on just a second. I’ll get a server to seat you."
"You got some connections that I don’t know about?" I ask teasingly while pushing up on to my tiptoes to give him an appreciative kiss.
"I have a lot of things you don’t know about." He winks and nuzzles his perfectly trimmed scruff against my cheek.
"Score!" Emma exclaims, patting Leo on the back. "I’m sorry, Sarah. I know this is your favorite restaurant, but it’s ridiculous that they don’t take reservations on the weekends."
"Oh, hush. It’s my birthday. And damn it, I want some pulled pork cheese fries. I’d have waited all night."
Leo starts chuckling. "No one’s waiting. I brought a client here once and had to get chummy with the owner in order to do a pre-dinner security sweep. I made a call yesterday and got a table. However, pulled pork cheese fries sounds terrible."
"Disgusting," Caleb says at the same time Emma and I gasp.
"They are so good!" we respond in unison.
"Oh my God. You have to try them," I tell Leo, who is barely suppressing a curled lip.
Caleb starts laughing and mouths, "Awful," at Leo.
Emma smacks him on the chest. "You are such a liar. You ate half the plate last time we were here."
"You’ve lost your mind. That never happened," he replies, pulling her into his side and kissing the top of her head. "Whatcha drinking tonight, man?" Caleb asks, stepping up to the bar.
"Just water. I’m driving. We rode the bike over."
"Really? What kind of bike?" Caleb asks, immediately interested.
And just like that, the two guys start chatting like old friends. Emma catches my eye and tosses me a huge, award-winning grin. We’re both casually tucked under their arms, and I can’t help but smile as a sense of comfort washes over me. This is how it’s supposed to be. There’s nothing fancy about tonight. It’s low key and simple.
It’s absolutely perfect.