Chapter 34
THIRTY-FOUR
PRESENT
Ihesitantly agreed to a dinner party for my birthday because I knew my mom would find a way to be there.
The theme for the dinner was a masquerade since my birthday was so close to Halloween.
I had a knee-length black dress with silver accents that sunk at the neckline.
I found a matching mask with a black feather hanging from it.
I paired the outfit with sparkly silver heels.
I felt sexy when I took a final look in the mirror. I hope Grant would think so, too.
I wanted our relationship to become more intimate, but I wanted to share my trauma with him first. I held onto so much shame and guilt for staying quiet for so long, but my therapist reminded me how I was not responsible for the adults’ actions in my life when I was a child.
I was done believing the false narrative that I was unworthy of love because I endured an unthinkable trauma.
I was never appreciated until I met Grant, and I wanted to let him love me the way I know he could if I’d let him.
The more I healed and forgave myself for staying in situations that didn’t serve me, the more I knew I was ready to accept Grant’s devotion.
I was glad he agreed to come tonight because he could act as the pillar of joy when I became overwhelmed with my mom.
Grant
What time should we pick you ladies up?
Me
Does 7 work?
Grant
I’ll see you then and not a second sooner…or later. I am very prompt.
I instantly smiled. Grant had a way of always making the mood light.
I was a bit anxious about who’d show up to dinner, but I’d also be with my two best friends, who would swoop in and save me from any unwarranted drama, especially with my mother.
I told myself, ‘You got this,’ in the mirror before leaving my room to find Emma.
“Okay, hottie. Look at you,” Emma said, coming out of her room. She wore a strapless black dress that hugged her curves while also showing off her strength from hours in the gym. Her mask was dainty and silver with a handle she held in her right hand, a small black clutch in the other.
“Says you,” I said. “You are literally stunning.” She took a little bow.
“I’m going to finish my hair in your bathroom since you have the good hair spray.” She walked over to the table next to the front door and discarded her clutch and mask onto it before heading into the bathroom.
She took longer than I anticipated because the doorbell rang, indicating Grant and Gio were there. I looked at the time, and it was exactly seven on the dot.
“I’m almost ready,” Emma yelled from the bathroom.
I stood up from the couch to invite them in.
I was not expecting what I saw when I opened the door.
The two men were in three-piece suits with matching navy-blue velvet tux jackets.
Their masks differed, where Grant's was more silver with black accents, and Gio’s was black with silver accents.
“You two look very dapper. Come on in, Emma is finishing up her hair.”
They walked in, and we all made small talk while we waited for Emma. “So, who all is going to be there tonight?” Gio asked.
“Not many people. The four of us, my great aunt, two of Emma’s friends from college, one of my coworkers, and probably my mom.”
“Probably?” Grant questioned.
“She usually shows up for my birthday when I have a dinner,” I explained. “Last year, I went on a trip, so I didn’t see her. However, she never tells me if she’s coming or not; she shows up unannounced. I haven’t seen her in a while, so I’m assuming she’ll be there tonight.”
“Should we have a signal in case you need an escape plan?” Grant suggested.
“We should,” Emma said as she met us in the living room. Gio seemed captivated by her. We could tell by how his eyes widened when she entered the room.
“How about if you scratch your chin?” Grant suggested. The three of us all said, ‘deal’ at the same time.
“Shall we head out?” I stood up from the couch, and Grant and Gio followed suit.
When we arrived at Grant’s truck, Grant opened the back door for Emma and then the passenger door for me. I needed a little extra assistance getting in on account of my short dress.
“I have a song for you.” Grant scrolled on his phone before he found what he was looking for. “Birthday” by All Time Low filtered through the speakers, and I fell into an abrupt fit of laughter.
“This isn’t a birthday song,” I voiced between my laughter. “This song is definitely about sex.”
Grant side-eyed me. “The song is literally called Birthday, so you might just be wrong on this one.” He smiled and winked. He knew exactly what he was doing.
“Is this All Time Low?” Emma asked from the back seat.
I slightly turned in my seat to face her. “Yes!” I exclaimed. “Don’t you remember listening to them in middle and high school?”
“Only because you were obsessed,” she responded. “You know rock and metal have my heart.”
“Me too,” Grant said. “But Serenity and I have been listening to a lot of the music she liked growing up. I had to pick her a song for her birthday by one of her favorite bands.” He reached over and slightly squeezed my thigh before turning his attention back to the road.
I stared at him. I couldn't get over how handsome he was. All the expressions he gave me calmed yet excited me. His smirks when he made jokes, the slow wink when he made an innuendo, how his soft smile and timid eyes brightened when he gazed at me, and even his meditative expression when he had a panic attack at the fair. I knew I’d be okay with him by my side tonight.
We soon pulled into the restaurant parking lot and parked close to the entrance.
Grant put the car in park and turned off the ignition before immediately jumping out of the truck to jog around to the side where Emma and I were seated.
He opened both doors in one quick motion, reaching his hand out to help me exit.
“Can you go check us in?” I asked Emma. I needed a moment before I went in.
“Of course, chica.” Emma turned to Gio and gave him a nod to follow her. They ventured toward the restaurant, leaving Grant and me alone by his truck.
I turned toward Grant, and he extended both of his hands for me to take.
He squeezed them tight and looked into my eyes.
“No matter what happens in there with your family and friends, you’ll be ending the night with me, who cares about your happiness more than words can express.
So, let’s take some deep breaths and go do this thing.
” I released my hands from him and wrapped my arms around his waist. He hugged me back over my shoulders and pulled my body as close to his as he could.
I stood back a step and looked into his eyes while his arms were still around me. “You make everything a little bit easier, you know that?” I took a deep breath in.
He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “When I first met you, I remember thinking how your singsong voice could brighten up any room, and you had the whole look of innocence I now know was all for show based on some of the books you’ve read.
” We both laughed. “I’ll never tire of you, my love; you possess everything good in a human. ”
My heart filled with hope. “Can we ditch the dinner and go sit under the stars somewhere?” I borderline whined like a child.
“There’s no place I’d rather be than stargazing with you, but I also want to meet some more of your people.”
I ducked my head in defeat. “Okay, let’s go. We’re probably still the only people here, so I want to get seated before I’m stuck sitting next to one of Emma’s mean friends.”
Grant’s brow furrowed. “Are they not friends of yours?”
I grabbed Grant’s arm. “They were more of Emma’s friends in college.
They always made it seem like I didn’t belong in their little group.
They always tell me I’m ‘so sweet’ in the most condescending way.
But any friend of Emma’s is a friend of mine since I don’t really have any others of my own.
” I surprised myself with the admission, but Grant provided comfort during moments of distress.
He squeezed my hand a little tighter as we entered the dining room in the back of the restaurant where parties were hosted. “Now, you have me. I’ll be your bestie for the night.”
“How should we tell Emma that you’re trying to replace her?”
“Not replace,” he said, “add.” He brought my hand to his mouth, kissing it lightly.
We sat on one edge of the table while Emma and Gio were on the opposite side. My great aunt, Benita, was the first to arrive. I shot up from my seat to hug her and kiss her on the cheek.
“I’ve missed you, mi hermosa bebita,” she whispered in my ear. “And who is this handsome young man?”
Grant stood next to me. “I’m one of Serenity’s best friends, Grant. Nice to meet you, ma’am.” He extended his hand to shake, but my aunt opened her arms wide and welcomed him in for a hug.
“Such a gentleman, too,” she whispered to me, but Grant overheard her.
“I was raised by my Gram, who taught me respect before I could talk.” We all laughed so easily together.
“Come sit,” I told Aunt Benita. “You’re one of the first ones here.” She followed and chose the seat next to Grant—of course.
Emma’s friends, Allie and Sasha, walked in next. “Thank you so much for coming,” I told them both, bringing them both in for a hug.
“Your dress looks so good on your body type,” Allie said condescendingly. That was her subtle way of complimenting me while also reminding me how different my body was compared to theirs. My hips were too wide for my petite frame, and I definitely didn’t have a flat stomach.
“Isn’t she stunning?” Grant said as he approached us from behind. Both Allie's and Sasha’s expressions remained bored. Why did they even come?
“And you are?” Sasha asked.
“I’m Serenity’s lesser half since she’s obviously the better half. But you all can call me Grant.” He extended his hand to shake theirs. They both looked at each other for a moment and proceeded to shake Grant’s hand.