Chapter 29
“Are you sure this is okay?” Flynn wore a new pair of wide-leg jeans, a cropped yellow blouse with puffy sleeves, and her new Pumas.
“You’re the birthday girl. You can wear whatever you want.”
“But this works?”
She turned toward him again, and he snagged her hand.
“You look beautiful, Flynn. It doesn’t matter what you wear. You just are.”
She was starting to get used to the feeling of her heart melting. “A girl could really become accustomed to that Quinterro charm.”
He tugged her toward him. “That’s not charm. That’s truth.”
It took everything Flynn had not to sigh out loud. This guy …
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure. You ready? We got five minutes before you’re late to your own party.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Come on. It’ll only take two if we hurry.”
Flynn let Marcus lead her out of his perfect little house and into a jog down the asphalt strip that led across the scrapyard to his parents’ place.
The driveway was full of cars.
“Whose are those?”
“You’ll see.”
They ran up the steps, and Flynn froze when she hit the deck. There was a giant banner hanging across the back of the house that read Happy 25th Birthday, Flynn!
It even had a unicorn driving a convertible over a rainbow.
“Oh my God,” she breathed. Her gaze cut to Marcus. “Did you …”
“I might’ve given them some ideas.”
Tears formed in the corners of her eyes and threatened to spill over. Flynn blinked them back as she realized she needed to get her shit together, or she might end up crying all night with how thoughtful this family was.
“Unicorns in convertibles?”
“I said flying unicorns. Pop ran with it. You ready?” he asked as he reached for the back door handle. “The party’s inside tonight.”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
He grinned. “Just have fun, Flynn. They’re all here for you.”
He pulled open the door and held it wide for her. As soon as she stepped inside, everyone started cheering.
“Happy birthday!”
The room was full to bursting as Marcus’s parents, Scarlett, Gabe, Bump, Carrie, Christopher, Ange, Cesar, Dani, Tony, and Melanie all burst into a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
Flynn couldn’t help the tears. They slid down her cheeks before the end of the song. She covered her mouth with her hands and wondered if her face could split in half from smiling so big.
“Thank you. Thank you so much!”
Scarlett scooted around the kitchen table to wrap her in a hug. “Happy birthday, Flynn. Love you.”
Flynn squeezed her hard. “Love you too. Thank you for coming.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. And here I thought, you hated your birthday.”
“It just wasn’t a big deal.”
She felt Marcus’s hand on the small of her back.
“You’re a big deal, Flynn. So is the fact that you were born.”
Gabe came in for a hug, then Bump, and Melanie.
Dani grasped her hands, and Carrie gave a her a quick squeeze.
“We heard you’re staying at Marcus’s. Don’t break his heart, okay?” she whispered.
“I won’t.”
“Good. ’Cause I know how to use the excavator.”
Carrie stepped back, and even though her tone was joking, there was a glint in her expression that carried a warning.
“Carrie …” Marcus started.
“It’s okay,” Flynn said, her gaze locked with his sister’s. “She just loves you. I threatened Gabe with way worse about Scarlett.”
Carrie smiled wide. “Glad we understand each other.”
Joanie nudged Carrie aside. “Enough of that. We’re not the mob.”
“Thank God,” Marcus said beside her.
Joanie leaned forward and kissed Flynn on the cheek. “I hope you like your cake.”
“I’m sure it will be the best I’ve ever had.”
Pop came forward and drew her in for a hug. “Happy birthday, sweet girl. Here’s to many more.”
“Thank you both so much.”
Pop pulled back. “Now, who’s hungry? That seven-layer dip ain’t gonna eat itself. And Ma made a double batch.”
“Me! I love that stuff,” Bump said.
Marcus’s arm slid around Flynn’s middle, and he pulled her back into his chest as everyone gathered around the table to dive into the food.
“What do you think, Stiglette?”
Flynn reveled in the warmth of his body behind her and the beautiful scene unfolding before her. “Best birthday ever. By far.”
He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “Good. Let’s eat.”