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Tori’s eyes flew open. Her heart seized in her chest, tightening. Every fiber of her being was frozen on the spot. “What did you say?”

“I love you, Tori Frazee, and I’m not willing to give you up.”

Without hesitation, Tori pulled Miranda to her. Their mouths connected, elation bursting through her. With the scents of flowers surrounding them, with Miranda fully in her arms—vulnerable, risky, daring—Tori knew without a doubt this was real. She swept her tongue against Miranda’s, bringing her even closer as she bent back and kept Miranda’s body tight against hers.

Miranda laughed, pulling away slightly. “You didn’t let me finish.”

“That was more than enough.” Tori kissed her again, closing her eyes and smiling at the same time.

“But I love you, and I want to be with you.”

“Yeah, I got that.” Tori laughed, kissing her one more time. “I love you, too.”

“I know it’s a day early—”

“Fuck that. This was perfect.” Tori pressed their mouths together, sliding her hands up and down Miranda’s back. She wanted to jump around for joy and stay right here and never move. She wanted to tear Miranda’s clothes off, make sweet love to her and run to the others and tell them what Miranda had said.

“Tori,” Miranda murmured in between kisses. “There really are people here.”

“Fuck that,” Tori whined. “Torture me and then make me play nice.”

“Well, I learned from the best.” Miranda kissed her quickly before sucking in a long breath. “Come on, we have a future to plan.”

thirty-four

“Now?” Tori squeaked again.

“No, not now. Tomorrow.” Miranda grinned broadly, contentment swelling inside her.

“God, I love you.”

Miranda didn’t want to let Tori go. She wanted to keep kissing her and touching her, but she hadn’t been lying when she said they weren’t truly alone. Outside in the yard, where the party had been set up, it would be easy to forget that while none of the hidden guests could currently hear her confessions of love, she could feel sneaky eyes from around the corners.

“This is beautiful.” Tori turned around in Miranda’s arms, her back now pressed against Miranda’s chest, while her ass pressed up against her crotch. Miranda stifled a groan. She had forever with this woman. A forever that would have many moments alone, without prying eyes.

The silence wrapped around them, and Miranda smiled, looking over Tori’s head to the strings of fairy lights wrapped around the yard that held tables that would soon be filled with food. Chairs were scattered around the yard as well as large rugs and cushions for the more relaxed vibe that Miranda knew would help Tori and many of her guests enjoy the evening better.

“I’m glad you like it.” A warmth of pride spread through Miranda’s chest.

“I can’t believe you did all of this for me.”

Miranda kissed Tori on the temple and deeply breathed in her scent.

“I didn’t do it alone.”

“You didn’t?” Tori leaned back into Miranda’s embrace.

“No.” Miranda chuckled at the surprise in Tori’s words. “Someone very clever taught me that no woman is an island.”

“I love you. And I love this.” Tori wriggled around in Miranda’s arms once more so they were face-to-face again. Tori’s arms threaded around Miranda’s neck.

Tori lifted up on to her tiptoes, encouraging Miranda to bend her head to meet her halfway. Miranda had no problems with that. She gladly pressed their lips together.

“Are you two done yet?” Aili’s familiar voice called out from the shadows around the side of Miranda’s house.

Tori laughed, dropping back down to her true height, and buried her head into Miranda’s shoulder. It was time to face the music. “Oh hell, we really aren’t alone.”

“No. On such an important birthday, I thought it would be selfish to keep you all to myself.” That and she couldn’t very well ask them to help her set this up and not include them in the party.