Stephen burst out laughing. “I’m not making any of that shit.”
“Jamie,” Christine whined. “I don’t have time. I ordered all the stuff and paid for it already. I can’t send it back.”
Jamie blew her bangs away from her forehead. “Why don’t you and I do them together?” She pushed her half-eaten chicken pasta away, no longer hungry.
Christine flashed her a grin. “I knew you’d do it!”
“I just asked if you wanted to do them together.”
Her sister waved her hand. “Sure, whatever. I’ll have the stuff dropped off at your office so you can get a head start on them. Then we can pick a day to finish them up.”
Jamie’s mother caught the waiter’s arm as he passed by. “We’re finishing up here. Do you mind to empty the table and bring the cake?” She pointed to Jamie’s uneaten plate. “I’ll take that home. My daughter doesn’t need it. She’s desperately trying to lose weight.”
Seriously? Her mother had to do this to her on her birthday? Jamie shook her head. At least her mother had ordered cake. That was a first.
As the waiter cleared the table, Jamie glanced around the restaurant. The place was one of the upper-end dining places. She had the feeling one of her paychecks might be covering the amount of wine her family had been drinking. Ironically, the liquor menu had been taken from the table. Stephen had mentioned earlier that he loved it that Jamie was finally able to foot the bill. She’d ignored his comment but now she began wondering why she had offered.
The cake came with sparklers on it. Jamie smiled, but it quickly disappeared when she read the inscription on it. Christine & Stephen Congrats!
She stared at the cake, biting her tongue to keep back a snarky comment.
Christine clapped her hands. “Six months, baby. Then I’m all yours.” She cut the cake and divided it into three large pieces and two teeny, tiny ones. “For you and dad,” she said and handed Jamie and her dad the small ones. “Both you two need to be watching what you’re putting in your month. Six months isn’t a long time, Jamie.”
Jamie stared down at the three-bite-size piece of cake. “Thanks,” she mumbled. Somehow Christine had managed to weasel her way into the one day of the year that should belong to Jamie. She didn’t even want the cake so she slipped it in with her dad’s when he finished his. He winked at her and she smiled.
When the bill came, Stephen pointed to Jamie. “She’s footin’ it this time, buddy.”
Jamie reached across Stephen, secretly wishing her elbow would accidently bash into his nose. Of course it didn’t happen.
The waiter smiled at her, the first genuine smile she’d received since entering the restaurant. “Your bill’s already paid, ma’am.” He grinned, like it was some sort of game.
“What?” Stephen reached for the red leather receipt pad that hid the total of the bill inside.
Jamie jerked it away from him and opened it. The bill showed paid. “By who?” She glanced at each of her family members but each one shook their head.
“The gentleman over there,” the waiter said and pointed to the far corner where a woman in a stunning red dress sat. Her date sat in the leather booth with his back towards them.
Jamie couldn’t tell who it was. She also loved the red dress the beautiful brunette was wearing. She wished she could wear something like that. That would be her birthday wish if she could have one; to be able to wear a tight-fitting red dress like that and rock it.
“Well, fuck me,” Stephen mumbled.
Jamie watched the booth as the woman touched the man’s hand and motioned toward their table. He picked up his glass, slid out of his seat and walked over to them.
Alex Reid.
Jamie knew her mouth was hanging open. She didn’t quite know what to say when he approached.
“Good evening,” he said.
Apparently her family didn’t know what to say either.
Stephen stood and shook Alex’s hand. “Hey mate, how’re you doing?”
“Good. Thank you.” Alex raised his glass. “I overheard it was your birthday today, Ms. Connors.”
Jamie nodded, stuck in the corner as Stephen sat back down.
“Well, happy birthday. I apologize for not realizing earlier. I’d have let you get out of work sooner.” He winked. “Cheers, everyone.” He smiled and moved back to his date without another glance.