It’s strange to be this close to him, to be so aware of him. I know it would be entirely wrong for me to get all caught up in feelings for him, especially right now.
It would also be entirely too easy, what with me being on the rebound and everything.
Which is why I have to keep a cool head and my hormones in check. Though the drinks flowing through my system aren’t helping either of those things.
“Thank you for this,” I whisper, looking around. Grandmother looks so happy, so at peace. “Thank you for making sure she could make it up here too.”
“Oh, she told you about that?”
“Please. You should’ve known I would pounce on her for walking up all those stairs.”
“She put up with letting me carry her so long as it meant being here for you. This was something we all wanted for you.”
“I couldn’t love it more. I mean that.” I look up at him, his face all aglow from the twinkle lights, and damn, it’s hard to keep a cool head.
Why have I ignored the feelings he stirs up in me for so long? Am I that dense? Or just stubborn? Or afraid of rejection?
“I’m glad. I’m glad you can have a nice birthday party on your actual birthday. I’m glad you know how many people love you.”
My breath catches even though I know he means it as a friend.
Doesn’t he?
Good thing the song ends when it does and turns into something more upbeat because another ten seconds and I might’ve kissed him. And I’ve already seen the damage that can do.
Though really, considering the man put together a surprise party with my best friend, there couldn’t be too much damage.
Just the same, I catch his hand and hold him in place for another moment. “You know how you said I had my happy ending?”
He winces. “I wish you wouldn’t remind me. That was low.”
“No, it wasn’t. You were right.” I take another look around. “This is it. This is my happily ever after. And if this is the best life has to offer, I’ll take it. Because this might be the happiest night I’ve ever had.”
“I hope you mean that.” His fingers close around mine. “I really do.”
“Come on!” Hayley waves us over. “It’s time to light the candles and tear into this cake.”
Matt grins down at me, pulling me toward the table with the cake, where Zack and Brandon are lighting the candles. “Do you know what you’re going to wish for?”
Yes, I think I do.
Read the next book in Kitty’s dating adventures in Kitty Valentine dates a Hockey Player
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London Prep Series (New series!)
New exchange student Mallory is causing quite the stir at London Prep -- specifically with best friends Harry and Noah. Their fast friendship makes way for a tricky love triangle in this entertaining tale of high school drama!
London Prep
London Prep: Book Two
London Prep: Book Three
London Prep: Book Four
The Keatyn Chronicles®
Discover a breathless fairy-tale romance with swoon-worthy characters, suspense, and a glittering celebrity world. Fans of Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and reality TV will devour this pulse-pounding, sexy teen drama set against the backdrop of Hollywood and an East Coast boarding school. A USA TODAY BEST-SELLING SERIES.
Stalk Me
Kiss Me
Date Me
Love Me
Adore Me
Hate Me
Get Me
Fame
Power
Money
Sex
Love
Keatyn Unscripted
Aiden
That Boy Series
Small-town contemporary romance series about falling in love with the boy next door.
That Boy
That Wedding
That Baby
That Love
That Ring
That Summer
Kitty Valentine (New chick lit series!)
When author Kitty Valentine’s latest novel totally bombs, her editor suggests she dates different kinds of men for inspiration.
Kitty Valentine dates a Billionaire
Kitty Valentine dates a Doctor
Kitty Valentine dates a Rockstar
Kitty Valentine dates a Fireman
Kitty Valentine dates an Actor
Kitty Valentine dates the Best Man Kitty Valentine dates a Cowboy
Kitty Valentine dates a Hockey Player
Kitty Valentine dates Santa
The Love Series
Caught up in a firestorm of tabloid gossip, actress Ashlyn Roberts doesn’t expect to end up in Vegas — or to wake up married to the sexy Cash Crawford. A USA TODAY BEST SELLER.
Vegas Love
Does catching the garter and bouquet at a wedding really mean you belong together? For Palmer and Cade it could be the second chance they’re looking for in this sexy romance.
Broken Love
And coming soon…. When the girl that got away shows up at Carter Crawford’s door and asks him to pretend to be in love with her at her sister’s wedding, will he be pretending?
Fake Love
Spy Girl® Series
A sizzling romance series filled with action and adventure. Fans of The Selection and The Hunger Games will discover a heart-pounding thrill ride of espionage and suspense set in glittering high society. (And there’s a really handsome prince.)
The Prince
The Eagle
The Society
The Valiant
The Dauntless
The Phoenix
The Echelon
Girl off the Grid
When fashion blogger Camille and eco-photographer Adam meet, their feelings are mutual—they hate each other. Can these two stop fighting long enough to complete their magazine assignment? Or will Camille give up and go home when she discovers there’s nowhere to plug in her hair straightener? Or will they both realize that sometimes you have to go off the grid to find yourself?
Books by my daughter, Kenzie Hart. Also FREE with Kindle Unlimited.
The Curious Swan
A sweet, whimsical romance set in the English countryside with a Jane Austen/Alice in Wonderland vibe.
I Fall Apart
This beautiful love story told in verse will take you an emotional journey—from the happiness of falling in love to the sadness of heartbreak.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jillian Dodd is the USA Today best-selling author of more than thirty novels.
She writes fun romances with characters her readers fall in love with—from the boy next door in the That Boy trilogy to the daughter of a famous actress in The Keatyn Chronicles to a spy who might save the world in the Spy Girl series.
She adores writing big fat happily ever afters, wears a lot of pink, buys too many shoes, loves to travel, and is distracted by anything covered in glitter.