As we rounded the side of the house, I heard whispers and a, “Sssshhhhh.” I did my best to keep the grin off my face. As soon as our feet hit the back lawn, a deafening, “Surprise!” was shouted. My steps faltered, and all the air seemed to get sucked out of my lungs. Kenna and Crosby held one end of a banner, and Bell and Ford the other. It was clear that Mia and Ava had made it. Unicorns and rainbows and glitter adorned the letters that read: Happy Birthday, Griffin! Hunter held up the middle of the banner so it didn’t sag as the girls danced in front of it.

My gaze caught on Caelyn. She stood with her hands clasped in front of her mouth as if praying that I’d like it all. She looked absolutely breathtaking. She wore a light blue sundress I’d never seen before that skimmed her form and landed mid-thigh. Her hair curled around her face in loose waves, seeming to highlight every feature. I couldn’t seem to catch my breath.

Will elbowed me. “You’re working that surprise thing a little too well.”

I coughed. “How did you guys do all this?”

Mia ran up to me, hurling herself into my arms. “Do you like it? We’ve been working all morning. We made cakes, too!”

“I love it, Little Bit. Thank you for my sign. You and Ava made it, right?”

“We did!” She grinned at Ava. “I told you he’d like it.”

Ava studied the banner. “I tried to get her to stay in the lines.”

“It’s perfect,” I said.

The sign was placed on the grass, and there were back slaps and birthday wishes. Crosby and Hunter fired up the grill as Bell and Kenna started a game with the girls. Caelyn smiled. “Do you hate me a little bit right now?”

It was on the tip of my tongue to say that, no, I loved her. The urge shocked the hell out of me. But it shouldn’t have. “Not even a little bit.”

“I’m glad.”

She seemed almost nervous, like a new kid on the first day of school. I took her hand and squeezed. “Thank you.”

She stretched onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips to my cheek. “Happy Birthday.”

As she eased back onto her feet, I caught sight of the picnic table. It was covered with a colorful tablecloth, and balloons were tied to just about every surface. “Are there five cakes over there?”

Caelyn blushed. “I didn’t know what kind you liked, so I made options.”

I burst out laughing. “Those kids are going to be on a sugar high for weeks.”

She covered her face with her hands. “I know.” She peeked through her fingers. “What’s your favorite?”

“Kind of cake?” I asked. She nodded. “I’m simple. Vanilla. Chocolate frosting.”

Her hand shot in the air. “Victory is mine!”