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17

LARKIN

M y eyes drifted to the clock for the fifteenth time in the last ten minutes. I had no idea how time was simultaneously flying and crawling.

My mom came up and wrapped an arm around me, enveloping me in the fragrance of lilies. It was a soft scent that my mind automatically knew and clung to.

“There’s still time, love,” she whispered in my ear. “He’ll be here.”

I nodded, unable to speak as I watched the room full of people laughing and joking, the giant TV over the fireplace turned on to the local New Year’s countdown.

Eleven minutes left until the New Year began.

Until my birthday.

It was stupid, but I wanted to start the New Year with Rhodes. With his lips on mine, ready to tackle this new year together.

We hadn’t spoken since he left. I lost track of how many times I almost called him. Almost texted. But I knew he needed time, had asked for time, and I wanted to give him that.

I had told my mom everything the minute they came home, sitting in my bed, crying into my pillow about almost everything. She listened patiently, calmly. She knew I had loved Rhodes for years, seen how crushed I was when he went out on dates with other girls or told people I was like his sister.

I don’t think I would have left my bed the last four days if not for my parents, Skye, and Katy all keeping me occupied.

Clearing my throat, I gave her a weak smile. “I need to go to the bathroom.”

She nodded slowly, her gaze missing absolutely nothing as she let me go. “Go on. I’ll get the cake ready.”

Tradition had me blowing out the candles at midnight while everyone cheered around me. Usually it was my favorite part of the whole party, but I would have given anything to simply go upstairs and sleep through this night.

I headed down the hallway to the powder room, stepping inside and hitting the light. As I was shutting the door, a hand slammed against it, stopping me.

My heart leaped. I spun around, sagging when I saw it was Katy and Skye behind me, not Rhodes.

Katy gave me a serious look. “In ten minutes, it’s going to be your birthday and the start of a whole new year. And I know you wanted him here, but it doesn’t change the fact that you’re in a house full of people who love you and want to celebrate you.”

I sighed and let them into the small space with me, turning to brace my hands on the sink and looking at myself in the mirror.

Katy and Skye had come over and helped me get ready. My dark hair was curled in loose waves, falling around my shoulder like a shiny, dark curtain. Katy had done my makeup, a simple black winged liner that made my eyes smoky and crimson lipstick that matched the red of the dress I had picked out months ago for this party.

Because Rhodes loved red.

“I thought he would be here,” I whispered, dropping my eyes and willing myself not to cry.

Skye wrapped an arm around my waist as Katy looped an arm over my shoulders. They rested their heads on my shoulders.

“I’m sorry,” Skye said gently, “but he’s coming back. You know that.”

“I know,” I replied, sniffling and blinking hard against the hot rush of tears. I tipped my head back, exhaling a shaky breath.

“Let’s go blow out your candles and eat a crap ton of cake and ice cream,” Katy suggested. “Skye and I will even spend the night and we can watch crappy rom-coms.”

Skye smiled, nodding encouragingly, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.

Squaring my shoulders, I gave my reflection a decisive nod and took a steadying breath.

“Okay, let’s do this.”

The lights in the main room had been turned off and I could see the candlelight from the cake flickering as we made our way down the hallway. I paused in the doorway, my eyes sweeping the room and seeing the faces of my family and friends. They all smiled, most had no idea my heart was a gaping wound as they started singing Happy Birthday .

Skye and Katy stayed close to me as I bent over the massive cake and took a deep breath.

“Make a wish!” Someone yelled in the crowd.

I made the same wish I had been making for the last four days.

I blew out the candles, opening my eyes to make sure I got them all in one breath just as the announcer on the TV yelled, “Happy New Year!”

The room exploded into pandemonium. Couples hugged and kissed, friends high-fived and hugged. My parents each hugged me before kissing each other. Remy snagged Skye around the waist, kissing her soundly.

I stepped back, closing my eyes to the images of all these stupidly happy people, and bumped into the wall.

Hands settled on my hips, steadying me.

Not a wall.

My heart stopped, time slowing down.

“Happy birthday, baby girl,” Rhodes whispered in my ear.