Black

Oh, God. Everyone turns to look, and heat creeps up my neck, infusing my cheeks. I’m going to kill him.

“Say hi, Shae.”

Embarrassed that he’s putting me on the spot, and desperate to get all the eyes off me, I give a miniscule wave. Also, did he just call me his girlfriend?

“I was hoping you guys would join me in singing her ‘Happy Birthday’.”

A chorus of oohs and ahhs spreads throughout the small crowd, and before I have time to protest, Rex starts singing, and everyone joins in. I stand frozen, my eyes locked with Rex’s as he leads the impromptu choir.

A big part of me wants to turn around and flee, but I can’t because the other part realizes what he’s doing. First the skating, then the bike ride, and now this. Rex is trying to make up for some of the things I missed out on as a child. My heart swells in my chest as I look at his smiling eyes, and whether he realizes it or not, he steals a tiny piece of my heart.

A piece I know I’ll never get back.

And I’m all too willing to give to him.

The song ends. Rex thanks the crowd before shouldering his way back toward me. He stops in front of me and opens the box to reveal a vanilla cupcake with buttercream icing and brightly colored sprinkles.

“Excuse me.”

Rex and I look over as a gorgeous blonde walks up. She’s on a mission, and I must be invisible because she doesn’t spare me a glance as she slips a paper in Rex’s hand, winks, and walks away. My jaw nearly hits the sidewalk.

You have got to be kidding me. “Did she just give you her number?”

Bitch.

Without looking at the paper, Rex throws it in a nearby trashcan.

“He’s a keeper.” I turn to find an older lady standing next to me. She pats my arm. “That’s something my Gerald would’ve done. We were married for fifty-three years. I lost him last January, but rest assured, he would’ve loved your fella.”

I smile when she calls Rex my fella.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” I say, not sure how to respond.

“Don’t be. Best fifty-three years of my life.” With another pat to my arm, she continues down the sidewalk.

I look at Rex. He holds out the box, and I delicately slip the cupcake out and take a bite.

“Happy birthday.”

“It’s not my birthday, and if I remember correctly, you already threw me a kick-ass skating party.”

“Doesn’t matter.” With his thumb, Rex wipes a crumb from the corner of my mouth. “You missed so many, I figured today is as good a day as any to start making up for them.”

Taking a deep breath, I study my cupcake and take another bite—anything to keep from crying, which is what I really want to do because how could any woman be deserving of a man like Rex?

I swallow, getting a hold of my emotions. “You don’t have to make up for the lost birthdays.”

“I know I don’t.” Wrapping his fingers around my wrist, he pulls my hand—cupcake and all—to his mouth and takes a bite.

“How did I get so lucky and find you?”

Rex brushes his lips against mine. “I could ask you the same thing.”

By the time Thursday rolls around, I’m itching to see Shae. I haven’t spent time with her since our bike ride last week, though not for lack of trying. Josalyn offered her some more hours, and Shae couldn’t turn them down. So, between her work and my work, we just haven’t been able to connect. But we’ve made it a point to talk several times each day, which has only solidified our connection and made me miss her that much more.

I practically pounced on her when I picked her up for the cake tasting this afternoon, and it was amazing to watch her in professional mode at the bakery. Granted, I had a little trouble keeping my mind focused on flavors of cake, but I can’t believe how much I enjoy being with her. Until now, I’ve never enjoyed getting to know someone, yet Shae has me practically on cloud nine.

This must be evident to those