dealing with. I wanted you to have a party. You work so hard, you deserve a day where everyone praises you.” He leans down, brushing his lips over mine. The contact is too brief. I want to pull him in and give him a kiss that’ll make our tongues wag and the party guests heads spin.
I pat his chest. “You’re so sweet. I love you.”
“I love you too and I’m committed to proving to you just how much.”
My mom is the next person to greet me with a long hug. I haven’t seen her in too long.
She holds me out in front of her. “You’re beautiful. You look radiant. Love makes you glow.”
“Mom, isn’t that like you’re complimenting yourself since I look like you?”
“Oh stop. Accept my compliment graciously like I taught you.”
“I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve missed you.”
“Me too. But my daughter is too busy working to see me.”
“You’re right. I should make more time for you.”
“Adam already invited me to come spend a weekend at the cabin with you guys.”
I glance at Adam and he winks. I pucker my lips giving him an air kiss.
Dani and Vi grab me next. “It was so difficult not to slip up and tell you about the party,” Vi says.
“Is that why you barely spoke to me this week?”
“Yes. I was afraid I’d say see you at the party and give it away.”
“Did you figure it out on your own?” Dani questions.
“Yeah, but I might let Adam think I was surprised. He obviously put a lot of work into this.”
“Roxanne,” Randy calls out as he walks over with Bonnie.
“Randy, I’m so happy you’re here. This is the best surprise of all.”
He beams. “That’s what Adam said too. He told me it wouldn’t be a party without me.”
“You know for once Adam is right.” I wink at Bonnie.
“Thanks so much for coming.” I hug her.
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss an opportunity to watch this lovesick version of Adam. He’s smitten with you.”
“Yeah, well, it’s mutual.”
“I’m happy things are going so well for you guys. I hope you two have continued happiness.”
“I have a feeling that’ll be the case.”
After I’ve made the rounds and said hello to all the guests, Adam suggests I should open up his present. He leads me over to the corner where a huge wrapped box with a giant bow on top sits.
“Is it a scooter?” I joke. “Or maybe a motorcycle of my own?”
“Fuck that. The only bike you’re riding is mine, right behind me, holding on tight where you belong.” He tips his chin toward the box. “Go on.”
I edge closer to the present, it’s tall enough to reach my waist. Tearing the first strip of paper, I laugh with excitement. I have no idea what this could be. I continue ripping away the paper until I come to a cardboard box. Adam pulls a multi tool from his pocket, slicing the strips of tape fastening the top closed.
I open the four side flaps and peer down into the box. I can’t see clearly what it is, but it looks like it’s made of wood. “Is that a table?”
“Here. Let me pull it out so you can see,” he offers. Cutting away the box, he reveals a beautiful handcrafted coffee table. “Did you make this?”
He nods. “I did. Take a closer look,” he urges.
Bending down, I notice there’s a completed jigsaw puzzle situated on top. When I bend down I realize the custom puzzle is made from a picture of me trapped in the tree when the bear ran after me. Adam chuckles beside me. My head snaps toward him and I smile. “You ass.” He laughs more. “I didn’t see you take this picture.”
“You were too busy holding on.”
“That’s true,” I agree.
“The table is actually a puzzle table. There are drawers on either end for pieces.” He opens each one to show me. “I wanted to give you this for your birthday because this picture is special to me.” I quirk a brow questioningly. “When I saw you sitting in the tree and learned why, I felt so relieved that you were okay. When you got down safely and hugged me, I never wanted to let you go. That’s the moment I started falling in love with you.”
“Oh, Adam. You were my hero that day and every day we’ve been together since.”
“I’m always going to be here protecting you and being your hero.”
“I have a question for you. I was going to wait until tonight