Today was his birthday, and Asia had planned a surprise. She’d kept such a tight lid on it that no amount of sniffing around had gotten him any clues. He was twenty-eight, still young, but eager to become a dad, something he still had to discuss with his pussycat, and a dad needed a stable job, not the random mixology gigs he’d been doing since they’d gotten back. They couldn’t live on Asia’s meager salary as beauty consultant at the hotel forever. Besides, it wasn’t her dream. He wanted a better life for her.
She swatted his arm. “You’re miles away, Sean Rivers. Pay attention. I want you here with me.”
He turned his head and searched for her mouth. She helped him out by planting a kiss on his lips.
“Sorry,” he said. “I was just thinking about how happy I want to make you.”
“I am happy.”
For now, but he wanted more for her.
She stopped. “We’re here.” She moved behind him and touched the blindfold. “Ready?”
“Yes.”
Her chest stilled with the breath she held. She was excited for him. Fuck, he loved her.
The blindfold fell away. He had to blink for his eyes to adjust in the twilight of the day. It was almost sunset.
They stood in the street with the sea at their back. He recognized the spot immediately. Looking up slowly, he stopped breathing.
Jerry’s old pub had been transformed. The front of the building was glass now, framed on either side by a gigantic marble angel just like the one he’d commissioned for Maddy’s grave. The name ran across the top in brilliant platinum letters—Madelein’s.
He turned his head in Asia’s direction.
She clutched her hands against her chest, her expression uncertain. “Do you want to go inside?”
“Yes,” he said in a quiet voice.
He took the new yellow stone steps and pushed open the glass door. The inside sparkled with crystal and lights. Platinum wallpaper with an embossed fleur-de-lis design covered the walls. Chandeliers dripped with glass teardrops, each one catching and reflecting the light. Crystal ivy decorated the light fittings. The bar counter was a block of transparent Perspex with a stainless steel top. Rainbows fell across the white marble floor and on the white tables and chairs. Seven angel pillars adorned the room—one in each corner, two framing the bar shelves, and one in the center of the room. The marble statues reached from the floor to the ceiling, their serene faces surveying the room, and each angel carried one of the seven forbidden elements in her hands.
Dumbfounded, Sean turned in a circle.
“Do you like it?” Asia asked in a small voice behind him.
“You made a new bar?”
“It’s a nightclub. Or meant to be.”
“A nightclub?” He tore his gaze from the angels to look at her.
She shrugged. “My dream.”
“Your dream is to own a nightclub?”
“Yes,” she said, tugging at the hem of her pretty silver dress.
“My kitten a nightclub owner?”
He took a step toward her, and she fiddled more. He couldn’t help teasing her. It turned him on when she got nervous around him like that. “I thought this was supposed to be my surprise?”
“It is. I mean, not this,” she motioned around.
He lifted an eyebrow, enjoying her turmoil. He needed her to become a bit more flushed, because in two seconds he was going to bend her over the shiny new counter and have his way with her. Yes. It would be a fine way to inaugurate her new nightclub. He couldn’t ask for a better present.
When he advanced another step, already imagining tearing that dress off her body, she lifted a finger.
“Stay there.” She walked to the door and peered outside. “You can come in now.”
Alan and Jerry entered. Damn. His naked plans flew out the window. From the way they gaped, they were as awestruck as he was.
His dad patted his back and hugged him. “Happy birthday, Son.”
“Dad, what are you doing here?”
“Asia flew me in.”
Jerry shook his hand. “Happy birthday, bud. Glad we could be here for the celebration.”
Asia was still shuffling her feet around. Didn’t she already know how perfect it all was?
He took her in his arms and kissed her nose. “Thank you, kitten. This is very special. I’m glad you found your dream.” Emotions clogged up his throat. “Thank you for naming it after her.”
Her face lit up. “It’s for her birthday, too. You like it? You’re happy?”
“Very.” He kissed her until Alan cleared his throat.
Asia pulled away, laughing. “Alan, will you please do the honor of opening the champagne?”
“Of course.”
His dad walked to the bar counter where a bottle waited in an ice bucket. Four crystal flutes had been set out next to it.
He put his arm around Asia as his dad busied himself with popping the cork. “I’m sorry Matthew can’t be here. I promise we’ll celebrate with him when he comes home for the holiday.”