Wendy
Five years ago
“Make a wish and blow out your candles, Wendy. The rest of us want to eat the cake instead of stare at it.” My best friend, Beth, nudged my ribs and motioned to the eighteen tiny flames in front of me.
“Yeah, okay.” I smiled and looked up.
“Don’t forget to make a wish.” She nudged me again.
“Right.” I took a deep breath and blew until I was staring at nothing but smoldering wicks.
That’s one wish that will never come true, but it won’t stop me from wanting it.
“Good job. Let’s eat.” Beth picked up the knife and grinned.
Everyone in the room was focused on the cake and getting their slice. My attention was focused elsewhere—past the group of people gathered at the table. Beth’s father was sitting in his favorite chair, staring at the football game on the television set in front of him, trying to hear the announcers over the excitement of people arguing over how much icing they got. He was what I wished for—the hottest single-dad on the planet. It was a foolish wish that might as well have been whispered into a hurricane. He didn’t see me as anything more than one of his daughter’s friends. I would have done anything to change that, but I was completely invisible to him, even on my birthday. I wasn’t brave enough to flirt, and truthfully, I didn’t even know how.
“This cake is delicious!” Beth dug her fork into the icing as she chewed her first bite.
“Yeah, I’m definitely getting my next birthday cake from Marigold Bakery. This is freaking fantastic.” Emma, one of our other friends, grinned as she eagerly stuffed a second bite into her mouth.
“So, what did you wish for?” Beth turned towards me. “I bet you wished that Cody would ask you out!”
No, not exactly—even if he is the most popular guy at school.
“That would be my wish.” Emma nodded quickly. “That’s the worst part of graduating from high school—knowing that we won’t see his beautiful smile ever again.”
“Speak for yourself. I’m going to the same college as him.” A grin spread across Beth’s lips. “You never know, he might be happy to see a familiar face.”
“Keep dreaming. He’ll have even more girls throwing themselves at him when he takes the field at the University of Texas.” Emma finished her last bite and sighed. “I should have been a cheerleader. At least then I would have had a shot with him.”
“You’re not participating in this conversation, Wendy. You’re supposed to be lavishing Cody with the praise he deserves like we are.” Beth giggled and gave me a light tap on my shoulder.
“Sorry—he’s just not my type.” I shrugged and put down my plate.
“Not your type? He’s every girl’s type!” Emma looked almost offended by my comment.
“Fine, yes. I wished that Cody would ask me out before graduation.” I forced a smile and nodded.
I might as well lie. It’s better than the truth.
“I knew it!” Beth giggled and picked up the knife. “Okay, who wants another slice of cake?”
“Me!” Emma pushed her plate over immediately.
I was one of the few girls at Canyon City High School who wasn’t madly in love with Cody Danvers, our star quarterback. I understood the appeal. He was certainly hot, but he wasn’t my type because when I looked at him, I just saw a boy. I had no idea why my desires were misaligned with the rest of my friends. Guys my own age just didn’t get me excited. If I did have a type, it was the man sitting in the other room. Just looking at him made my stomach do flips while my whole body tingled. Beth’s father was a real man. He was rugged, alpha-as-fuck, covered in beautiful ink, and so hot my panties practically melted off my hips when I looked at him. When he wasn’t starting a fire between my thighs, he was putting them out with his hose—just not the hose I dreamed about.
Several hours later
“Did you have a good birthday party?” Beth walked into the kitchen while I was trying to get the cake back in the box, so we could save what was left.