“Shocker,” Carmen deadpans. “I’m certain he’ll be there, though. Your little sister has that beast wrapped around her pixie finger.”
“I guess it’s okay. He’s just–he’s Hutch’s age, and Hutch is five years older than me.”
“She’s legal now, friend. The little bird is going to fly.”
“Trust me, I know.” Picking up my phone, I tap in the number for the party service. “She’s been flying a long time.”
The oversized dogtrot between the main house and the carriage house is lined in an array of iridescent streamers, balloons, black lights, and sparklers, and party music drifts outside on the breeze. Uncle Hugh is inside with Carmen and her mother and the entire softball team.
Several girls from town who’ve posed for Hana are here, and I’m outside in the breezeway, waiting for my sister to come down from the main house when Hutch’s warm voice greets me from behind.
“I think you get sexier every time I see you.” Warm hands span my waist, and I turn as a swirl of butterflies fills my stomach.
“Hey, handsome, how was your day?” Sliding my arms around his neck, I meet his lips with mine, kissing him briefly before gazing up at his gorgeous face.
“Sheesh–I’m going inside.” Pepper dashes through the door at the end of the alley, through an arch of pale pink roses and past by a wall of more pale pink roses reading Happy Birthday, Hana.
My nose wrinkles and I return to kiss my fiancé once more. “I might’ve gone a little overboard with the roses.”
“It does look a little like the Rose Bowl parade.” He chuckles, kissing me back. “But it’s her favorite flower.”
“True.” Sliding my hands down his arms, I lace our fingers. “Maybe she can use them in her work. She’s been taking pictures nonstop since I gave her my gift. I think it might have freaked her out a little bit.”
“I have an idea. She could take some pictures of you in that white cheerleader skirt, nothing else, these roses.” He squints one eye and puckers his lips in a way that makes my core squeeze. “Hot.”
Rising onto my toes, I kiss him again. “We don’t need Hana to create that scene. I can steal some of these tonight.”
“How long did you say we have to stay at this party?”
My nose wrinkles, and I laugh. “I told Carmen she has to stay until the cake is cut.”
“Let’s get cutting.”
I’m about to tell him to stop when the heavy thump of boots on the wood floor interrupts us. “There’s a bunch of little girls inside.”
Turning, I take a step away, pressing my back to Hutch’s chest. “Scar, hey, um, yeah, the softball girls wanted to come. They’ve all gotten really close from Hana taking their pictures at the games and stuff. They won’t stay long.”
“I won’t stay long.” He blinks down at me with those icy, wolf eyes. “Where’s Hana?”
“Is somebody looking for me?” My sister’s voice is high and clear.
She skips up in an ivory Chanel shorts set. The shorts are all the way up her slim thighs, and she’s wearing a matching cardigan in the same color over her matching tube top. Her long, spiral curls fall behind her shoulders, and her cheeks are pink and full. She looks really good, and healthy, and I see the smolder in Scar’s eyes when he looks down at her.
She’s only gotten stronger as the months have passed in Hamiltown. “I thought you were still in New York.” Hana walks straight to him, holding out her hand.
He takes it in both his large ones before leaning down to kiss her cheek. “Happy birthday, baby girl.”
My stomach tightens, and I pull Hutch’s arms around my shoulders. He keeps telling me Scar won’t hurt her, and I can only trust him.
For Hana’s part, she’s completely unfazed by his size or appearance. “I don’t think you heard. I’m twenty-one now. I’m not a baby anymore.”
Scar’s brow relaxes, and he almost smiles. “You’ve still got a lot of living to do.”
She slides both her hands in the crook of his arm, and a hint of sadness touches her voice. “I’ve done a lot of living already.” It’s gone just as fast, and she smiles, shouting, “Take me to the party–I want a glass of champagne. I can finally, legally have a drink!”
“Finally,” I laugh, slipping my hand in her arm and pulling her to me for a brief kiss. “Happy birthday, sis. I’m so proud of you.”
She releases the big guy and puts her arm around my shoulder, pressing her head to mine. “This is so beautiful. Thank you for everything.”
Inside the little players are running around eating cupcakes and batting balloons at each other. The music is a mix of dance music and DJ bangers, and after ten minutes, Hana runs back to the house to get her camera.
We’re all drinking champagne, watching the kids play, and Hana takes pictures of her guests in an array of poses–with the flowers, with the cake, with the balloons, outside and inside. Hutch grabs my hand when a Buddy Holly song comes on, and he leads me through my beginner shag moves.
“You’re getting it!” Carmen cries, and I grab her in a laugh.
“I would never have expected you could do that.” She laughs up at Hutch, who only shrugs.
“My mom loved that dance. She expected Dirk and me to dance with her on Saturday nights in the kitchen.”
The thought of it warms my heart, and I think about dancing in the kitchen with him. “Where is Dirk?”
I look around, and Scar answers. “He asked me to tell Hana happy birthday for him. He’s sorry he couldn’t make it. He’s following a lead, and I’m actually going back to help him.”
My sister’s pale brow furrows, and she goes to where he’s standing. “You’re leaving?”
He touches her chin with his thumb. “You look really pretty tonight.”
“Can’t you stay a little while longer?” her voice is soft, and he shakes his head.
“I have to keep my promise to you. I’ll see you soon.” His eyes flicker to her lips, and her tongue touches her bottom one.
One more moment of hesitation, and he turns, leaving us all to start breathing again.
“Phew, happy birthday to you,” Carmen mutters, taking Hana’s arm. “Let’s get another champagne. I’m all heated up.”
Another hour, and we cut the cake. It’s time for the little girls to go home, but the party’s only getting started. Hutch and I use Pepper as an excuse to get away, and I grab a few bunches of pale pink roses, slipping them into my bag on the way out.
With Pepper tucked in her bed and Hutch and me down the stairs and on the other side of the house, I change quickly out of the beige party dress I was wearing and into that white cheerleader skirt I keep at his place now.
Arranging the roses while he brushes his teeth, I’m completely topless when he emerges from the bathroom in those gray sweats I love that leave nothing to the imagination. For example, I can see how much he likes what he sees right away.
“Hang on.” He takes out his phone and snaps a picture of me lying on my stomach with my back arched to show cleavage and my feet bent behind me.