Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
My thumb hovers over the Call button. But before I can press it, the swinging kitchen door pushes open. I jump, nearly dropping the phone.
“Surprise!” a chorus of voices booms from the shadows—voices I recognize. My heart practically catapults out of my chest as the overhead lights flick on to full brightness.
Standing there, half-hidden by the door, is Boone—grinning from ear to ear, a cupcake with a lit candle in his hand. And behind him is a crowd of familiar faces: Ranger with his arm around Tory, Orion with Briar on his left, Dean and Sophia, Asher and Lincoln, Dean’s sister Isabella, and a handful of other dear friends. My mother is among them, holding a box of decorations, her eyes shining.
“Happy birthday, Aubree!” Boone exclaims, stepping forward, candle flickering dangerously close to his short hair. He quickly sets it down on the nearest table.
I stare, mouth agape. My pulse is still thrashing from the scare, and now it’s thrashing for a completely different reason—shock, delight, absolute disbelief. “You guys… oh my gosh,” I manage, pressing a hand to my chest. “You scared me half to death!”
My mother crosses the tile in a few quick strides, wrapping me in a warm hug. “We’re sorry, darling,” she says, laughing. “But we had to catch you off-guard. It was Boone’s idea.”
Boone slides the cupcake away so he doesn’t accidentally burn something, then shrugs, all sheepish. “Guilty.” But his eyes dance with mischief. “I had to make sure you couldn’t suspect a thing. Hence the silence all day.”
I let out a breathless laugh. “I was about to call you—thought someone broke in! You’re lucky I didn’t throw a rolling pin at your head.”
He grabs the cupcake, holding it out to me. “Make a wish.” He smirks. “And no wishing to hit me with the rolling pin.”
I laugh, and then close my eyes. I’ve got everything I could ever wish for, so I blow out the candle, wishing for more precious moments like this. “Thank you.”
Dean steps forward, Sophia by his side, both looking very pleased with themselves. “We cleared the idea with your mom,” Dean explains, slipping an arm around Sophia’s waist. “Figured you’d be alone this evening.”
Sophia, radiant as ever, nods in agreement. “Besides, we can’t let your birthday slide by without a fuss. After everything you’ve been through, you deserve a real celebration.”
A wave of gratitude and affection floods me. These people—my family, my friends, the security crew—are all here for me. I blink back tears, though I can’t wipe the huge grin from my face. A surprise birthday party, I think, shaking my head in wonder. “You guys are incredible.”
Ranger, his dark hair tousled, smirks. “Yeah, yeah. Enough with the sentiment. Let’s get some pizza going.” He pats Tory’s shoulder, who flashes me a bright smile. “Tory’s been dying to learn your technique.”
I laugh, feeling the tension drain from my body. “Sure, absolutely. Let’s… do you all want to make your own?” My voice brims with excitement. Pizza-making party, it’s a concept so close to my heart. I always loved the communal energy of kneading dough and sprinkling toppings with friends.
“Yes, please,” Orion chimes in, flicking a playful glance at his girlfriend, Briar. She’s tall, with a long brown hair that flows halfway down her back. “Briar claims she can out-pizza me. We’ll see.”
Briar snorts, elbowing him. “Even Jeb can out pizza you, buddy.” Yes. her African-gray parrot, Jeb. He’s a real character.
Smiling ear to ear, I gesture them all toward the back, where the big dough mixer and giant prep tables stand. “Let’s do it! I’ll show you how to knead the dough, shape it, top it. That is, if you’re all prepared to get flour everywhere.”
“We’ve been warned,” Garrett says. He looks slightly more relaxed than usual—back when he first joined Maddox Security Nashville Team, he was always so serious. Now he’s letting Thor talk his ear off about some new training regimen.
Dean laughs, pressing a quick kiss to Sophia’s temple. “We brought wine, by the way. Not sure if it pairs with pizza, but we’ll make do.”
Boone’s eyes meet mine as everyone filters into the kitchen, the tension in my chest replaced by a warm, giddy feeling. I mouth thank you to him. He winks, trailing his fingers down my arm lightly—a simple touch that sends a thrill through me.
Soon, the back kitchen buzzes with chatter and laughter. We set out bowls of shredded cheese, sauces—marinara, Alfredo, even a pesto option—plus an array of toppings: pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, olives, pineapple for the brave. My mother helps me measure out lumps of dough so everyone can start shaping their own pies.
“Okay,” I say, voice raised to be heard over everything. “First step: flatten the dough into a disc. You can use your hands or a rolling pin. Don’t be shy with the flour.”