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Again.

This time she was on Ellie’s side of the car, so Ellie rolled down her window.

“Hi, Mommy.”

“Hi, baby.” Isla pushed her sunglasses back into her thick brown hair. “You know, there aremuchmore comfortable places to make out than a car, right?”

Sadie wanted the earth to open up and swallow her whole. She could feel the embarrassment rising into her checks, which would undoubtedly give her away to Isla. Her damn freckles couldn’t hide that.

“Yes, Mother, I know.”

“Don’tmotherme,” Isla arched an eyebrow at Ellie, but there was a smile on her lips as she opened the car door. “Now, come on. We have rehearsal to get to.”

“Can I at least kiss my girlfriend goodbye inprivate, please?”

Isla hesitated and for a moment, Sadie wondered if she was legit mad at them. But the wink eased her mind.

“Well, since you saidplease.”

Isla walked back toward the theater, giving them a chance to quickly kiss.

“I’ll text you I’m done.”

“Okay, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Six, right?”

“Yeah, I’ll see you then.”

After another kiss, Ellie got out of the car and ran to catch up with Isla. Sadie watched as she wrapped her arms around Isla’s waist and Isla held her tight. Isla kissed her head as they headed into the glass doors of the theater. Their interaction put a smile on Sadie’s face as she drove home.

Not only had she had a great day with Ellie, but she was insanely excited to celebrate her birthday with her the next day.

Now all she had to do was find the perfect time to give Ellie her gift and think of the perfect words to say as she did.

Easy.

Right?

“Ugh.”

Chapter 37

Ellie

Birthdays were a big deal in the Mackenzie household. Ellie’s parents took them very seriously, and always made sure each kid got to celebrate their special day the way they wanted. They were also conscious not to make Ellie and Brayden share their day. Yes, they were twins, and, yes, Ellie loved her brother. But she was also glad their parents had always celebrated them individually instead of asthe twins.

For their eighteenth birthday, their parents had offered them each the chance to pick a weekend mini-vacation before school started. Brayden had chosen a baseball game in Boston, while Ellie had chosen a Broadway musical. She was beyond excited to get to spend one-on-one time with her parents. Ellie loved them so much, and savored all the time she could when they were alone together.

Even when it was seven a.m. and her mama was crawling into bed beside her. Ellie felt Vera’s cold hands on her waist as she pulled Ellie into a snuggle. Which, of course, Ellie melted right into. She snuggled up against her mama’s chest as Vera wrapped her arms around her.

“Happy birthday, Care Bear.”

“Thanks, Mama.”

Ellie snuggled as close to Vera as she could get. Her mama had woken up each of her kids in the same way on their birthday for as long as Ellie could remember. She looked forward to it every year, but she wasn’t prepared for how emotional it would be on her eighteenth birthday. Vera must have sensed Ellie’s emotions because she pulled her closer.

“I love you so much, Ellie.”

“I love you, too, Mama.”