“I don’t need an explanation, El.” Rem eyes her but doesn’t take his hand off her mouth yet.

“Oh, and you all have a go at me. This is gold.” Flynn guides Felisha to start walking to the exit too.

“What, it’s my birthday, we have been partying. Isn’t that we came here for? You know, to party at my party. Lots of partying. Oh, I like the word party, don’t you, Forrest? Party hard!” I yell above the music, and all the girls cry out, “Party hard!” in unison.

“Yeah, baby, this is what I wanted for you, to party, maybe just not so much the hard part, but I’m sure I’ll get the blame for letting you do that in the morning. Nothing like waking up on your fortieth birthday with a hangover, I guess.” Forrest walks me outside, and the crisp night air hits me, and that’s when reality also slaps me. My head is a little dizzy, and I can feel the alcohol now taking full effect. But I don’t care. I had a great night.

As Forrest helps me into one of the cars, I hear him talking to Cherie. “Sorry about that. You know they just want you to be as happy as they are.”

“It’s all fine, and what makes you think I don’t want that too?” Her laughter starts getting a little further away, but I don’t care. She is obviously not as drunk as I am because she sounds like she can say a normal sentence.

“Told you so!” I scream out the door, and everyone else starts laughing too, especially the girls.

“Move over to the other seat.” Forrest just shakes his head at me but smiles at the same time.

And as soon as we are seated and the car is pulling away from the curb, I drop my head onto his shoulder.

“In case I forget when we get home, thank you. No one has ever thrown me a party before.” Sure, I had children’s parties, but I never let Felisha do it after my father left. I didn’t want to be the center of any attention.

Closing my eyes with my head settled there, I hear his soft voice. “Sleep, beautiful, you will always be the center of my attention.”

Wait, did I say all that out loud?

But I don’t have time to ask as the darkness takes over, and I’m out cold.

FORREST

I feel Harper start moving next to me, and I’m surprised she is awake so early. I wait to see if she settles back into her sleep, but her eyes flutter open.

“Happy fortieth birthday, my goddess,” I whisper, lifting her chin and kissing her on the lips.