Katie was playing a game on Will’s phone. Had she known where they were going, she might not be as bored sitting in the event traffic, Jasmine thought with amusement.
Thirty minutes later, they finally neared the arena. Will nudged Katie to get her attention.
“We’re here. Check it out.”
She dropped the phone in her excitement to look out the window. Anticipating the move, he deftly caught it in his right hand. He and Jasmine watched Katie as her head moved from left to right in search of the clue she needed to figure out where they were. When she saw The Void’s logo flash across the arena’s huge digital marquis, she let out a loud gasp.
“Daddy!”
Her voice was filled with excitement. Jasmine’s heart suddenly felt too big for her chest.
It was the first time Katie had spoken in front of her. Will’s story about the event at the ballpark had filled her with such joy. Now, she reached for his hand and gripped it tight, completely understanding how emotional it had made him.
“You happy, kiddo?” he asked.
In answer, Katie threw her arms around him.
Jasmine guessed that the entire evening was worth it to Will for that fierce hug alone.
It took another twenty minutes for the car to make its way through the passenger drop-off, for them to get through security and stop by the bathrooms so Katie could change her shirt, and then finally make their way to their seats. Jasmine hadn’t ever been to an event at the arena, so she wasn’t sure where Will was leading them.
Before they were allowed into their section, they had to be cleared through another security checkpoint. That was her first clue they weren’t sitting in the cheap seats. The second clue was how many fewer people there were in their section.
Rather than leading to rows of seats, the main walkway of their section was lined with individual doors leading to what appeared to be furnished suites. Her eyes widened when she spotted an elaborate arch of pink and black balloons over one of the doors.
“Is that where we’re sitting?” she asked.
“I think so?”
Will sounded just as uncertain as she was. As they approached the door, Katie grinned and reached for their hands. A male wearing a black polo shirt and khaki pants stood outside the door. He smiled at them as they approached.
“Mr. Campbell?” he asked Will.
“That’s me.”
“Hello, sir. My name is E.J. and I’ll be your suite attendant for the evening.” His gaze shifted to Katie. “Are you the birthday girl?”
“Yep,” Will said when Katie stepped back and moved behind him. “She’s a little shy.”
“No problem.” The attendant shifted his attention back to Will. “Your suite is fully stocked, but if you need anything throughout the evening, I’m your guy.”
“Thanks, E.J.”
The attendant opened the door and stepped aside. Will exchanged a look with Jasmine that again told her he hadn’t expected this. He waited for her and Katie to enter the suite first. Katie led the way, pulling Jasmine inside behind her. Jasmine grinned at Will as she hurried past him, feeling almost like a kid herself.
“Happy birthday, Katie!”
The cheer rose from the small crowd gathered in the suite. Katie jumped and gripped Jasmine’s hand, immediately stepping behind her. Jasmine saw in a quick glance that she had met everyone gathered there to participate in the celebration. Frank, Gareth and his wife Althea, Cole and Everly, Evan and Sierra, Randy Haviland and his wife Sandra, and Ruby, Jerry, and Makayla.
The last three guests told her Will had at least had some input in the guest list.
“Whatcha doin’, Katie?” Makayla asked in her loud voice. “Come and see.”
She hurried over to take Katie’s hand. Much as she’d done at the Family Fun Day, Katie went along with her friend. The two girls ignored the adults, walking over to the glass doors leading to their seats.
“Guess I’m chopped liver now,” Frank chuckled from his spot next to Gareth.
Will walked over and gave him a hug. “You said you had to work on the Giuseppe’s reno. Liar.”
“Yeah, well, this wouldn’t have been much of a surprise otherwise.”
Sierra walked over to greet Jasmine with a hug. “Hi, there. Glad you guys made it before the opening acts.”
“Me too.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” Will was saying to Frank beside them. He grinned and lowered his voice so it wouldn’t carry out to the seats. “She spoke again.”
“No shit?” He winced. “Sorry. Forgot the little ears are around. That’s big news. I hope she says something tonight. I can’t