Water for Elephants. How could I forget? “Yeah,” I laughed, “actually I did.”
“See, now we have something to talk about. Caramel macchiato, right?” he asked as he turned toward the counter casually, not even really waiting for me to reply.
“Actually,” I said, “make it a mocha latte.”
“Mocha latte?” he asked, his voice raising in disbelief. “When did you change?”
I shrugged, a shy smile gracing my lips. “I’m not really sure.”
Chapter 14: Max
"So how many people are coming?"
"Should be about twenty. I didn't want anything too huge."
Trevor turned his head in the direction I had been absently staring at while we talked. "Are we waiting for someone in particular?"
Sharply snapping my head back to him, I let loose with an uneasy grin. I hadn't realized I'd been staring until he called my attention to it. "Uh, no. Just my parents," I offered quickly.
"Right," he said with a smirk, clearly knowing that I was lying.
In that moment, I hated how well he knew me. I guess that’s what happens when you keep friends around that you met in elementary school. They get really good at reading you. Though it probably wasn't all that difficult to see through my excuse. Lily and I had fallen into a comfortable friendship, talking a few times a week and even hanging out every once in a while.
I couldn't resist immediately looking back at the entrance to the private room my parents had rented for my birthday. It was a Monday—a shitty night for a party—but I liked celebrating my birthday on the actual day. Who wouldn't want to honor the day I came into the world? That was a great fucking day. Not that I remember it, but I'm sure it was.
My parents had wanted to throw me a party, and I relented because, well, who wouldn't want a party? But my mom had also insisted because, as she said, "You only turn thirty once." I wanted to counter that I remember her turning forty-nine quite a few times, but decided to keep that comment to myself. I had kept the guest list small because I wanted everyone to be comfortable and have a good time. Once you start inviting agents, former teammates, and business associates, shit gets out of hand. And I would also have had to spend more time glad-handing and kissing ass than I was up for on my birthday. So my mom had contacted a local restaurant and rented one of their back rooms. My only stipulation was that the room had a bar, and she hadn't let me down.
Trevor started speaking again, but I zoned him out as I saw her. She came. When I’d mentioned the party to her, I hadn't been sure Lily would actually make it, thinking it may be too weird for her to hang out with my family and friends. She had told me she'd come, but part of me didn't want to get my hopes up. I couldn't quite figure out why I instantly felt relieved when I saw her. My shoulders dropped and my tension abated. She looks fucking fantastic! In the five seconds it took for her to see me sitting at the bar, I had already completely taken her in: her black tights, cream silk shirt, black ankle boots, just enough makeup to accentuate her natural beauty. No wonder I'd wanted to fuck her as soon as I’d laid eyes on her in that airport. When her eyes finally landed on me, her face lit up with a broad smile, and she started making her way toward me.
"Oh, so that's who we've been waiting for," Trevor mumbled beside me.
I cut him a quick sideways glance, which only made him chuckle. Then, I turned my attention back to Lily just in time for her to put her arms around my neck and squeeze.
"Happy birthday, old man."
"Thanks. And old my ass," I retorted with mock indignation.
She giggled and thrust a small, wrapped box at me. "Here, this is for you. Obviously."
"Awesome. I'd say you didn't have to get me anything, but I'd be lying."
She shook her head before putting that bright smile back on her face.
"Should I open it now?" I asked, unsure of what the protocol was for opening gifts once you hit thirty. I normally just tore everything open immediately, but maybe I was supposed to be more mature now that I'd entered a new decade.
"Whatever you want. It's your birthday."
"I love your attitude." I ripped the paper off of the gift and stared at it. My eyes darted to Lily, and I saw the smirk she was trying to suppress. "You got me a whistle?"
She couldn't hold back anymore and allowed the laugh she had been choking back to escape her lips. "It's a rape whistle. So that the next time you get stalked in a bar by a cougar, you can summon help."
I laughed with her. "You asshole. This is a horrible gift."