She hesitated, but then answered. "Three." Her response coming out uncomfortably quiet.
"Why? And how do you handle classes with that kind of schedule?" The questions were genuine but I couldn’t help sliding my gaze from her face down her long neck. With her chocolate brown hair pulled up, the slope of her neck was tantalizing.
She sighed.
"Did Dixon send you or something?" She pursed her lips.
I shook my head, "Nope, just curious."
"Well, truth is, I will be delaying my classes for awhile, so I have plenty of time to work all three of them." She huffed.
"Oh." I didn’t want to make her more uncomfortable so I dropped the subject.
She told me how much the books were. Clearly she saw the confusion on my face as I did the math in my head.
"Consider it a return favor for giving me a ride home." She took my card and ran it through.
"You didn’t have to…whatever you did with the books."
She slipped the books into a shiny white plastic bag.
"I know, but hell I don’t really get to use my discount too often, since I just read them while I’m working instead of buying them." She looked mischievous. "Someone should get to use it." Handing me the bag, she plastered on a giant fake smile "Have a nice day and come again soon." Then we both broke into laughs. "Later…Loser." With a small wave and a smile on her face, she disappeared into the room behind the counter.
"Thanks," I shouted over my shoulder. The door chimed as I exited.
Pulling into Viola and Liam’s driveway a half-hour before the party, I got the perfect parking space – one where I wouldn’t be blocked in by other guests. Leaning into the back of my car I brought the large gift bag of presents to the front seat. Grabbing the bookstore bag from the passenger seat, I pulled out the books one by one and placed them in the bag with the other gifts.
When I grabbed the second book, I realized there was a third book I didn’t purchase. It was bright yellow. Pulling it out, laughter bubbled out of my chest. The big bold black text read Dating for Dummies against the bright yellow. Smiling, I tossed it into the back seat and headed into the house.
When I entered the house, it was like someone puked purple and black all over the place; streamers, balloons, flowers, cake and all the accessories in the same color theme.
"Aidan!" Maggie bounded down the steps toward me. I almost didn’t get her gifts out of my arms in time to catch her before she jumped into my arms.
"Happy Birthday!" Kissing the top of her head, I squeezed her tight in my arms.
I put her down and looked her over. She matched the party. Maggie was very unusual, for lack of a better word, in her style. She had on a black tutu over purple and black stripped tights and matched with a purple top. Her red hair was in crazy twists and knots around her head. Then I saw her shoes – green. After my appraisal, I raised an eyebrow.
She curtsied.
"You like?"
"Well it’s definitely…you." I smiled large. Damn, my little cousin was growing up so fast.
"I’ll take that as a yes." Grinning, she stepped toward the dining room.
Picking her gifts up from the floor, I followed her. A large table sat against the wall already overflowing with gifts. I placed my bag among the mountain. Knowing Viola would be finishing up the last of the preparations, I went to the kitchen.
Leaning in the kitchen doorway, I watched her oversee the cooks and the waiters. Clearing my throat, she spun around.
"Aidan," she smiled and walked toward me with open arms. "I’m so happy you made it."
"Like I would miss Maggie’s birthday." I rolled my eyes.
Family and friends started arriving shortly after I got there. Distant relatives surrounded Maggie, but only a few around her age. Next, business associates, mostly the board of directors. That was when Gideon Hettich arrived with his daughter, Lorelei.
Lorelei, a very petite, pale skinned girl with light brown, shoulder length hair, always looked socialite sexy. Definitely pretty with amazing intelligence but there always seemed to be something behind her eyes that gave me chills.
"Aidan," Gideon greeted me then motioned to Lorelei. "You know my daughter Lorelei, of course."
"Yes, of course, always a pleasure to see both of you." I lied.
Gideon, for years, has done his best to gain control of AIS. My grandfather and he go way back. When I asked Grandfather about Gideon once, he simply said ‘Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer’. It wasn’t until I became more involved with the directors board that I truly understood what he meant.
After all the greetings and food, Maggie began the task of opening presents. Shuddering at the memories of opening birthday gifts, it could take you at least an hour to accomplish the goal. You have to open, verbally thank and keep a gift list for thank you cards later.
"Aidan," Maggie yelled.
I excused myself from a conversation with Gideon I was happy to get away from. Maggie was opening the gifts from me.