Chapter 23
“It’s my party,” Korrie said. “I don’t see why I have to blow up ballons.”
Sabrina shook her head. “Because we need the help. And it is your party.”
“Come on, Korrie,” Julia said. “Just do a few. We don’t have to have that many.”
“But I like balloons,” he said.
“Then get blowing,” Julia snapped, laughing.
Sabrina was standing on the stepladder, working on stringing crepe paper from the corners of the room.
There had been no point in attempting a surprise party.
There was no getting rid of Korrie, and since Julia needed his breath for her spell, having him blow up a balloon was the perfect way to accomplish that without telling him.
They’d both agreed it would be better for him not to know. Just in case things went wrong. Better not to disappoint him than to dash his hopes.
She accidentally dropped the roll of crepe paper, and Trip went racing after it.
She laughed as she climbed down. They were going to have cake and ice cream, play Pin the Tail on the Donkey, then they’d do presents.
Sabrina was giving him the game Candyland, which she figured they’d play after he opened it.
Julia had more clothes for Korrie, but Sabrina hadn’t seen them yet. Julia had stopped by the Bargain Bin on her way here, and Stella, being the amazing woman she was, had wrapped them and included a little gift of her own.
The doorbell rang at six fifty-nine. Sabrina closed the closet door where she’d just tucked the stepladder away. She already knew it was Gideon. She was so glad he’d agreed to come and not just because Korrie had insisted on it. She was looking forward to seeing him.
She knew the party was not his thing, but hopefully it wouldn’t be too cringy. Gideon was obviously a sophisticated guy.
One she’d very much like to kiss again. But that would not be happening tonight. Or maybe ever. He wasn’t interested. She had to keep reminding herself of that.
She opened the door and smiled. “Hi. You look nice.”
“So do you.”
She hadn’t done anything but change out her sweater for a long-sleeved top. She moved out of the way to let him in, immediately realizing he was carrying a gift. “Gideon, you didn’t have to bring anything.”
He lifted the bag. “It would have been impolite not to.”
“That was so nice of you.”
Julia said hello, but Korrie, who was in the middle of blowing up another balloon, was puffy-cheeked, red-faced, and unable to say a word.
Trip came over to sniff Gideon. She scooped him up. “Sorry. I know you’re not really a pet person.”
He shook his head. “That’s not true. I just never had a pet as a child. Or an adult. I don’t think animals like me. It’s okay. I’m sure they sense I’m … different.”
Did he mean cursed? Or just garden-variety odd? She held Trip a little closer. “Trip, this is Gideon. You remember him. He owns the Clockwork Owl, the shop right next to Mama’s.”
Slowly, Gideon reached out and stroked Trip’s head. Trip closed his eyes. “He’s so soft,” Gideon whispered, his total focus on the cat.
“You should feel his belly,” Sabrina said. “Although that’s actually a trap. He only lets you pet his tummy two or three times before he tries to bite you.”
Gideon pulled his hand away.
“He won’t bite you now.” She laughed. “But the belly thing is pretty universal with cats. I don’t think dogs are like that.”
“You know a lot about cats.”
“I know a lot about this cat. They’re all different. Come on. You can put your gift on the table with mine and Julia’s.”
He followed her in. She set Trip down. “I’m going to give him some food. I don’t think he’ll bother us while we have cake, but if he’s full, he’ll be less interested.”
He put his gift on the table. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been at a birthday party.”
She got a can of food out. “I’m glad you came. Even if it was mandatory.” She pulled the tab, spooned half of it into a dish, and set it down for Trip.
He’d come to attention at the sound of the opening can. He lowered his head and started eating.
Gideon was smiling at him. “Must be nice to have a pet.”
“It is. He’s great company. Hangs out with me when I’m home, sleeps on the bed with me. I love him. Although he’s a little taken with Korrie at the moment.”
“Still riding Trip around like a racehorse?”
“Yes and Trip seems to like it. Cats are weird.” She laughed and rolled her eyes. “I really need to get that on video.”
Julia stuck her head in. “We’re done decorating. Korrie’s a little lightheaded from blowing up so many balloons, but I think he’ll be good to go in a couple of minutes.”
Gideon turned. “I can blow some up if you want.”
Julia nodded. “Sure, come on. A few more would be great.”
Sabrina was surprised he was so willing to help but also glad to see it. She hoped he could have a little fun. She put a lid on the can of food and stuck it in the fridge, then went out to the living room.
Gideon was handing Julia a balloon. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” She tied it to the kitchen chair they’d set in front of the coffee table. The chair was decorated with more balloons, crepe paper, and a sign Sabrina had printed out from her computer that said Happy Birthday, Korrin.
Sabrina clapped her hands. “I think it’s time for you to sit in the birthday throne, Korrie!”
She’d also made him a tiny crown out of yellow construction paper and glitter. She placed it carefully on his head and stepped back to stand with Julia and Gideon.
“All right, let me go get the cake and we’ll sing.” She went back into the kitchen, added five candles around the edge of the small round cake, and lit them. She carried it out to the living room, immediately starting off the song. Julia quickly joined in.
Sabrina didn’t think Gideon would sing, but he did, in a lovely tenor that rounded them out nicely.
She set the cake on the table in front of Korrie, and as they all clapped, she said, “Go ahead, make a wish and blow out the candles.”
Korrie scrunched up his eyes, presumably made a wish, then opened them and blew out the candles in one long exhale.
“Well done,” Julia said. She looked at Sabrina. “Presents now?”
“Let’s have cake and ice cream first, then presents.”
Julia nodded. “I’m always good with cake and ice cream first. Let me help.” She picked up the cake. “We’ll be right back.”
Gideon took a seat on the couch. Not next to Korrie. “What kind of cake is it?”
Julia paused to answer. “Chocolate fudge cake with cookies and cream buttercream frosting layers. The outside is just plain chocolate buttercream. You good with that?”
“Sure,” he said.
She and Sabrina went into the kitchen. Softly, Julia said, “He doesn’t like Korrie much, does he?”
“Not particularly, no. Not sure why either.”
Julia sliced up the cake while Sabrina got the ice cream, plates, and spoons. She added a generous scoop of vanilla to each plate.
She put the ice cream back in the freezer, then she and Julia carried out the dishes. Korrie’s dish had the biggest piece of cake and the largest scoop of ice cream.
She sat next to Gideon on the couch while Julia took the chair beside it. Korrie stayed seated on his birthday throne.
Gideon took a bite of cake. “This is surprisingly good.”
“Surprisingly?” Sabrina made a face at him. “So you didn’t expect it to be good?”
“Cookies and cream always seems like such a … juvenile flavor.” He shrugged. “Just my opinion. But this is nice.”
“Black Horse Bakery makes great stuff. Not sure you could go wrong with any of their flavors.”
He nodded and spooned up another bite. “I’ve heard they’re good.”
She understood. He didn’t go out generally. Didn’t explore even the small world of Shadowvale. It pleased her in a strange way to help him with that.
They ate their cake and ice cream, which Korrie loved, then Sabrina collected the dishes to take into the kitchen. “I’m coming back with presents!”
“Yay!” Korrie clapped with all the enthusiasm of a sugared-up toddler at Christmas.
He was clearly flying high.
She left the dishes in the sink, stacked the presents into her arms, and carried them out. She set them on the table where the cake had been.
“Which one do I start with?” Korrie asked.
“Start with the smallest one first,” Julia suggested.
The smallest one was from Stella. It was about the size of a bracelet box. Sabrina had no idea what it could be. Stella had wrapped it up too quickly for her to see.
He ripped off the paper. Inside was a small, cardboard jewelry box. He yanked off the lid and gasped. “I love it.”
“What is it?” Sabrina asked.
He lifted the gift up to show them. A tiny hand mirror, probably something that had once been part of a set made for a fancy doll. It was the perfect size for him. He admired his reflection. “I look good as the Birthday King.”
“You’re not the—” Gideon shook his head. “Never mind.”
“It’s great,” Julia proclaimed. “By the way, Korrie. What did you wish for when you blew out the candles?”
The most peculiar grin spread across his face as he continued to gaze at himself. “For Gideon and Sabrina to kiss.”