Right Place, Wrong Time

37. Not a Party

Joey was lying on his bed, staring up at his ceiling with music playing out of his speakers while he was definitely not procrastinating, when a notification interrupted him. He sat up and pulled the phone towards him, catching Lauren's name before the lit up screen faded back to black. He had to enter his passcode twice in his eagerness to unlock it and read her text.

'Do you want to come to mine on Sunday?'

His spirits lifted, deadlines forgotten. 'For a birthday party?'

Her reply was instantaneous. 'NOT A PARTY!!!!' He grinned to himself. A message came in after it. 'A small chill get together'

'What kind of cake you want me to bring?' he asked.

'I've got the cake covered. Just bring yourself'

'See you there'. He grinned. He was glad she wanted him there on her birthday, even for a small chill get together. It was so like Lauren he couldn't stop smiling, and gave up on finishing his work today. Instead, he got to wrapping her birthday present, because just himself certainly wasn't a match for the celebration.

On Sunday, he had to try not to be overeager. She'd told him to come around 6, with a hard out at 9, which she may well have been serious about, and he showed up at 5.45 after walking around the block twice.

"Hi," she said, hugging him tightly when she opened the door to him before welcoming him in.

"Happy birthday," he said, kissing her cheek. "I got you this."

"I told you you didn't have to bring anything," she said, though she was smiling softly. "And it's not my birthday."

"Yes it is, and I couldn't not get you a present."

"It's very nice of you," she said. "Come on, I'll open it now."

"Am I early?" he asked, not hearing any sign of anyone else.

"Not early," she smiled. "Just the first one here."

As they walked over to the couch, he saw the banner strung up — 'PLEASE LEAVE BY 9' —and laughed.

"You really were serious about that, huh?"

She grinned at him. "It's the second house rule."

He raised an eyebrow. "What's the first?"

"No mentioning the B word."

"How are you going to throw a party-"

"Small chill get together," she interrupted.

"And expect us all to ignore the fact that it's your birthday?" he continued.

"Precisely," she said, straight-faced.

"Well, then I shall respect your wishes," he said gallantly. "But I for one am very glad you were born." He squeezed her knee, and she gave him the soft smile that made him feel he was the only person in her world for that moment.

She tore the wrapping away from his gift, a pair of chihuahua bookends he'd picked up at a thrift store because he immediately thought of her. Her jaw dropped open.

"I love them," she exclaimed delightedly. "Thanks, JoJo."

"I hoped you would."

"You know me so well."

"I'm your best friend," he said lightly, smiling. But it was more than that. The two of them had a deep level of connection, of understanding, like nothing he'd ever experienced with anyone else. And it became ever more obvious that she could feel it too. He didn't know how to go back to life without her when she moved away. So they had to make the most of the last few months they had together.