"FINE! THEY weren’t horrible. I still don’t understand how you two love them so much though." Caleb laughs as he polishes off the cheese fries. We had to order a second plate because the guys hated them so much.
Despite how awkward it was when they first met, Leo and Caleb really hit it off the second go-round. After they ignored us for the first ten minutes while talking about Leo’s Harley, they discussed boxing and football and every other sport imaginable. Leo fits naturally into our little group. It didn’t feel like dinner with the parents at all. It felt like dinner with old friends.
We all laughed as he and Caleb told stories about some of the stupid criminals they have come across over the years. Turns out, Leo was a DEA agent before he started his own company. It bothered me that I didn’t know this already. We’ve been dating for a month. I should have known what he used to do. Leo doesn’t pry though. He never asks me about my past, and I think I’m just so grateful that I follow suit.
I know the here-and-now about Leo James.
I know he’s wearing a two-hundred-dollar pair of jeans, but he still orders whatever beer is on special. (That is when he drinks at all.) I know that he can spend hours at the gym, but he finishes almost every night in bed, wearing nerdy glasses, with his nose stuck in a book. I know he loves to talk to anyone about anything but won’t utter a single word during a movie, especially ‘eighties films. I know that, when we go out, he makes me feel like the only woman in the room no matter how big the crowd. I know that he always manages to put my insecurities at ease by throwing himself under the bus.
I know that I’ve never been happier in my life than I have been the last month.
I also know that I’m terrified for when this ends.
"Time for presents!" Emma singsongs, digging in her purse and pulling out two small gifts. "First, this one’s from me."
She pushes an envelope in front of me. I grin as I tear open the paper. I may be thirty-five, but I love present time!
"It’s a gift certificate for a spa…for both of us. We get to go away for an entire day. Manicures, pedicures, facials, massages. No babies crying or diaper changes. Just you, me, and a hot masseuse named Bruno."
"Oh hell no," Caleb snaps.
And at the exact same time, Leo declares, "You’re not going."
Emma and I both bust out laughing as the guys clink glasses in agreement.
"Leo. You’re next," Emma informs him.
"Wait. I didn’t get her a present," he replies, surprised.
"That’s okay, baby. I kind of sprung this on you at the last minute." I pat his leg and look up to find him giving me the look that says he definitely got me something and is insulted that I would believe otherwise. "I, uh, mean…give me my damn present?" I bite my lip.
He reaches into the inside pocket of his motorcycle jacket, which is draped over the back of his chair, and pulls out an envelope of his own. I give him an apologetic smile then snatch it from his hands.
"Hmm." I stare down at a single printed piece of paper.
No pomp or circumstance, just black-and-white paper that was no doubt produced on his office printer. I begin to read the first few lines and my eyes grow wide.
"Is this…a plane ticket? To Puerto Rico? For next weekend?" I turn to find his gorgeous face beaming.
"I confirmed that Erica was pregnant to the Tribune in exchange for the Wicked Witch giving you next Monday and Tuesday off."
"What?" I ask in shock.
"It was bound to leak eventually. You’ve seen her. She can’t hide it forever, and rumors will start circulating soon. So, this way, the truth goes out and you get a four-day weekend for our trip to Puerto Rico."
"I’m sorry. What?" I repeat as Emma gasps from across the table.
"Happy birthday." He smiles and brushes the hair off my shoulder.
"Okay. I’m lost. One, we’re seriously going to Puerto Rico?" I ask but don’t give him a second to answer. "Two, what the hell happened to not talking about your clients?"
"One, yes. That’s your plane ticket." He nods to the paper in my hand.
"And two, Erica and Slate are family and were more than excited to help. I didn’t share anything without their permission."
I blink rapidly, trying to allow a minute for my brain to catch up. "Really?"
"Yes."
"Next weekend?"
"Yes," he says slowly as he begins to chuckle.
"That’s a really big first birthday present."
"It’s a selfish birthday present. I get to go with you."
"I get to spend the whole weekend with you speaking Spanish. I’m pretty sure I win there."
"Oh, tu no tienes idea quién realmente ganó."
"Yes! Just like that." I smile and pull him into a hug. "Thank you so much! I don’t even know what to say."
"You don’t have to say anything. Happy birthday, ángel." He leans in, placing an all-too-brief kiss on my lips.
When I turn my attention back to Emma and Caleb, they are silently watching us, Emma is chewing on her bottom lip as her eyes sparkle with happiness. Hell, even Caleb looks sentimental from our exchange.
"I want to go to Puerto Rico too," Emma whines, looking up at Caleb.