Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Erin went to her bag and pulled out a notebook and pen—she never went anywhere without both. She opened to a blank a page and wrote Crystal’s thirtieth surprise party across the top, and underlined the words. Then, below that: Catering—Mila.
Cake—
To his surprise, his mom spoke up. “I’d like to make Crystal’s birthday cake.” She looked a little worried. “If you think I could do a good enough job. I mean, if you’d rather get the caterer or a bakery to do one, that’s fine.”
As one, they all cried out, “No!”
Erin said, “Crystal would absolutely love it if you made her cake. I think it would mean a lot to her.”
Cake—Mom.
Betsy looked a little embarrassed. “It would mean a lot to me to make it for her. She’s almost like another daughter.” They all agreed this was true, although something about this made Damien fearful. They were all so protective of Crystal. What would the Davenport women say if they knew the kind of thoughts he’d been having about her?
Tessa said she would like to create the party invitation. It wasn’t every day that a soon-to-be world-renowned painter took the time to design a party invitation. It was already sounding like an amazing event.
Invitations—Tessa.
He shrugged, getting into the swing of things. “I’ll sing ‘Happy Birthday.’ I sing it to her every year. It’s kind of a tradition.”
Erin grilled him with her gaze. “Yes, but will you be here in person? I know you phone her from all over the world every year and sing to her. But it would mean the world to her if you were actually here for it.”
He felt a flicker of irritation. “Didn’t I tell you guys I’m going to hang around for a while? I’m not rushing off on tour anytime soon. Yes, I’ll be here.”
Erin was still staring right at him. “And you’ll sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in person. On a stage if necessary, depending on how many people we have.”
The irritation grew. It was like they didn’t believe it was possible for him to stay in one place. “Yes, I will. I promise.”
She nodded. “Good.”
Damien—Sing Happy Birthday in person at the party.
Crystal’s birthday was October 4. They didn’t have long.
“Where are we going to have this party?” Betsy asked. That made them all stop and think.
“I guess it depends on how many people are coming,” Erin said. She told them that there were some school friends that Crystal was still in contact with. “We can invite them, and Crystal’s family. Plus her staff.”
Betsy added, “And all of our family, of course.”
Damien remembered how Crystal had felt in his arms when they were dancing. “You know she’s big into salsa dancing. She probably has a bunch of friends from the club she goes to who will want to come.”
Venue—Home? Salsa club? Hotel?
Mila asked, “What about some of her top clients?”
Erin looked up and scrunched her face. “I think we want this just to be friends, not people she has to suck up to in any way.”
Nick wandered in and Mila called, “Nick, save the date for Crystal Lopez’s surprise birthday party.” His brother glanced over, surprised, as though he’d been thinking about something else. “What?”
Mila looked exasperated. “Grab your phone and save the date. October fourth.”
Nick shook his head. “I don’t have it on me.”
There was a moment of stunned silence. Mila said, “What do you mean, you don’t have it on you? You always have your phone on you.”
His brother looked slightly sheepish. “I’m trying to wean myself off it a little bit.”
Before anyone could respond to something so unlike him, Betsy said, “I think that’s a wonderful idea, honey.” She glanced around at them all. “It’s easy to spend so much time on social media that you forget there’s a real world happening around you.” Now she sounded like Mom the schoolteacher, a role she slipped into from time to time.
Nick didn’t seem offended, though. In fact, he nodded in agreement. “I know I’ve made my living designing apps, but I’m starting to feel like my phone controls me rather than me controlling my phone. I’m just… leaving it behind a little more often.”
Betsy looked approving, but Mila just looked more exasperated. “How are you going to remember that you’re coming to Crystal’s thirtieth birthday party?”
Erin, always the peacekeeper, tore a page out of her notebook and handed it to Nick. “Here. I’ve written down the date.”
He folded the piece of paper and put it in his wallet. “Thanks, Erin. Where is this shindig going to be, anyway?”
Erin sighed. “I don’t know. We’re trying to figure that out. Do you have any ideas?”
He looked around the table as though it were obvious. “Yeah. Damien’s house. He’s got that huge place in the middle of nowhere. That means the noise won’t bother anybody. If it’s a nice night, everyone can spill outside. And there’s the pool. If you hire a band, the acoustics couldn’t be better.”