Free Waiting for the One by L.A. Fiore Page B

thing.”
    “Cute.”
    He starts up the path to me, but takes a moment to look at my car. He hunches down, and my eyes move over him as he studies my tire. I’m about to say something provocative, but when he stands, the strange expression on his face stops me.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Are you going to call Jake?”
    “I have to, I don’t have a spare yet.”
    That earns me a look. “You need a spare tire in your car, Saffron.”
    “I know. I just haven’t gotten around to it.”
    “I’ll have one delivered.”
    “Sweet, but not necessary.”
    “I’m going to do it anyway, so just say thank you.”
    “Pushy.”
    “You ready?” He grins.
    “Yeah, and thanks for the ride.”
    He opens the car door for me. “Anytime.”
    I’m told that Frank isn’t quite ready for me when I arrive and I’m asked to wait in the community room where the dancing is usually held. I make my way down the hall hoping that whatever is keeping Frank isn’t anything serious. The room I’m instructed to wait in is dark, but as soon as I open the door, the lights glow to life followed by, “Surprise!”
    It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust and for my brain to catch up. And then I see everyone, most of my friends wearing silly hats and carrying noise makers, grinning at me like lunatics. A surprise birthday party—I never had one. Josh, Tommy, and Gwen come immediately to my side, but I take a moment to look around the room filled with most of the residents of Harrington.
    “You didn’t know, did you?” Josh asks as he draws me into a hug.
    “I didn’t. I had no idea.”
    Gwen is laughing when she hugs me. “I thought that you might be suspecting something, but Josh and Tommy were certain that you were clueless.”
    “How long have you three been planning this?” I ask.
    “Three months,” Tommy says.
    Three months, that’s a long time. I look into the faces of the crowd that have come to celebrate my birth, finding two noticeably absent.
    “We invited them, but they declined,” Josh offers, knowing I am wondering why my parents are not in attendance.
    “Yes, well, I’m sure they had better things to do than come to their only child’s thirtieth birthday.”
    Gwen reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “I’m sorry.”
    I smile back at her. “Please. This is wonderful. Thank you so much.”
    Frank comes up to me then and, leaning over, I kiss his pale cheek.
    “Happy birthday, Saffron.”
    “I was a little curious when I arrived for our dinner and you weren’t ready. When has that ever happened?”
    He chuckles as his frail hand touches my arm. “Save me a dance.”
    “I will.”
    Making my way through the crowd, I’m showered with kisses and hugs and wished countless birthday greetings. The feeling of belonging that moves through me as I greet each and every person in the room renders me something akin to drunk. Finally, I stop in front of the tall, silent man in the corner. He draws me near and brushes his lips over my ear. “Happy birthday.”
    It’s all a bit overwhelming, the outpouring from my friends, that it has the back of my eyes burning. “You knew?”
    “Yes.”
    “You’ll stay, right?”
    “All night if you’ll have me.”
    “I wouldn’t want you anywhere else.”
    I swear I see my emotions reflected back at me, but then the toasts begin and we are pulled into the center of joyous chaos.
    Later in the night I sit with Frank. “How are you feeling, Frank?” He looks really tired.
    “I’m good. How do you like your party?”
    “I love having all of my friends together in one place.”
    “You are a wonderful young woman, and I know there is a part of you that is sad that those sorry excuses for parents didn’t come, but look around you. You are loved; remember that. Remember that you know what is best for you. Promise me you will always listen to your heart.”
    He’s scaring me with how intense he’s being, but I can see that it’s very important to him, so I make the promise