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PERLA

I stood at my sink and spread an antiaging serum across the planes of my face. Humming softly to myself, I squeezed out a dab of under-eye cream, then patted it under each eye.

On the opposite side of the bathroom, Grant flossed. After dropping the first string of floss into the trash can, he pulled out a second. “You seem happy,” he observed.

“Oh, I just love parties.” I pulled open the large top drawer and selected my lip moisturizer. I unscrewed the cap and looked in the mirror as I swiped it over both lips.

He put down the floss. “What do you mean?”

It was such an odd question that I turned, meeting his gaze in the mirror. “What do you mean, what do I mean?” I laughed. “It’s a party, Grant. Who doesn’t like them? Sophie seems to be having a great time.”

“Well, maybe I’m sensitive, but we don’t have a good track record with birthday parties, especially twelfth ones.”

I grimaced, then crossed the wide expanse and wrapped my arms around his torso. Squeezing him, I rested my head against his chest as I inhaled his scent. “Well, this one is our chance at a do-over.”

It would be a do-over. An improve-over.

He pushed me away. It was so unlike him that I gawked, shocked at the rejection. “Let’s just get through the night. I’ve got a ton of work I need to get back to.” He yawned. “And I’m suddenly exhausted.”

I grinned, surprised the Ambien had taken this long to work. Granted, he was a hundred pounds bigger than Sophie, which was why I’d used three pills instead of two.

I followed him into his closet, leaning against the doorframe and watching as he changed out of his work clothes. “You should text Paige and thank her for all of her efforts. She really worked her butt off, getting everything set up.”

“Yeah, I’m not going to do that, Perla.”

I stared at him, trying to understand where the attitude was coming from after fourteen years of compliancy. “What’s wrong with you?”

He unbuttoned his shirt and said nothing, yanking it off his shoulders before dropping it into the hamper and selecting a clean white V-neck from the stack. “I just feel like you never think about it.” His words slurred a little, and I tried not to grin. Hopefully, he’d make it to the bed before he fell out.

“Think about what, the birthday party?” I asked.

He shot me an irritated look as he unbuckled his belt and pulled it through the loops. “Yes, Perla. The birthday party.”

“I think about it all the time,” I said, and it was probably the most truthful statement I’d ever given him.

“Well, you don’t act like it.”

“What’s with you?” I glared at him. “Is it a crime to enjoy our daughter’s birthday?”

He sighed, and it was like watching a balloon deflate. “I’m sorry. I’m just stressed out about work.”

“Well, don’t take it out on me,” I warned him sharply. “Come on, let’s get you in bed before you fall asleep on your feet.” The girls’ movie was already over, and they were getting into their pajamas now and crawling into Sophie’s giant king-size bed. I’d spiked their ice cream with the pills, so they’d all be asleep within minutes. I’d give everything a few hours, just to be safe, and then the house would be my personal playground. I looked down at my smartwatch, which was set to vibrate, and set the alarm for 1:00 a.m.

Moving to my side of the bed, I crawled under the covers and rolled away from him. “Night.”

“Good night.” He shuffled into the room, the mattress shifting as he got on his side.

I closed my eyes and, within minutes, fell asleep.