“What’s this weekend?”
“My birthday, Finn! Weren’t you listening?”
“I guess I missed it.”
“Aunt Presley and Reese planned it at the Princess Boutique in Franklin. It’s going to be the best birthday ever.”
“Sounds like it.”
“You should come!” she screeches from the backseat. “I wish we could have Chick-fil-A, but Aunt Presley says they’re closed on Sunday.”
“Whitney! Calm down.” Presley gives her a backwards glance. “Finn’s a boy. This is for girls, and I’m ordering your favorite pizza.”
“Grandpa Jeff and Uncle Johnny are coming!”
“That’s because they’re family. They’d never miss your birthday. If you want to invite more boys, next year, we can do something not so girly.”
“Next year, I’ll be six. We’ll have a grown-up party,” she says so seriously I can’t hold in my chuckle.
We pull up at Chick-fil-A, and Winnie’s out of her seat and across my lap in less than three seconds, scampering to get out. My back cracks in two places when I fully stand.
It doesn’t seem like only a week ago we did this same routine; Winnie kicking off her shoes and running into the play area with the other kids as Presley and I sat and talked. This time, I sit next to her in the booth and hold her hand openly.
“I’m a bit offended that you tried to rescind my invitation to girls’ date night.”
“You acted barbaric about my alarm. What is the new code, by the way?”
“Zero-six-zero-two,” I lean in and whisper, running my tongue on the outer edge of her ear. “Unless you decide to change it.”
“Is that a special number?” Goosebumps swell on her arm.
“It’s the day I first laid eyes on you. So yes, I’d say it’s special.”
She turns to face me with a glimmer in her eye. Her free hand slides gently down my face and stops at my cheek, the pad of her thumb rubbing across my lips. “I’m pretty sure that’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me. I’m never changing it.”
My heart leaps at her admission; obviously, my code means something to her, too.
“Ember’s having a party next Saturday. It’s a welcome to the family and birthday combo. Will you come with me?”
“She goes all out. I assume the welcome to the family is for Blade and the birthday for Robbie?”
“Her childhood sucked. She carries few happy memories, so if she wants to have a party to celebrate her first dog, she will. Besides, we have strict instructions to have the fence done by Saturday morning.”
“She mentioned it to me last Friday night when she called to invite me to ride with her.”
“Will you come with me?”
“Absolutely, but this is a big step, isn’t it? Aren’t all your friends going to be there?” She sucks in her bottom lip and drops her hands from my face.
“Not sure what you consider a big step since you’ve met Robbie, Ember, and Max. Not to mention my parents. I’ve met your family, and we’ve now officially had two dates with your niece. I’m sure it’ll be a big party, with everyone invited; however, you’re the only one I care about.”
“Who exactly is everyone?”
“Ember’s family, Robbie’s family, our friends, and maybe some of the band.”
“The band?”
Warnings fire off in my mind, signaling for me to tread lightly. There’s a history there that needs to stay in the past. “I thought you knew about the band.”