Sign Your Name Across My Heart

Chapter twenty-three

As the night approaches, I wait for Ash to arrive. He was supposed to pick me up around 8:00 pm, but it's 8:30 and I've heard nothing from him so far. I know sometimes he has things he needs to do for Hawthe or Bram at the last minute, but usually he always lets me know.

I sigh and pour myself a glass of water, chugging it down. I hear my phone buzzing on the counter and I lunge for it, urgently picking it up and answering.

"Hello?" I called out.

"Libby, I'm so sorry. I should have called you earlier... But I got held up. I'm still working." He sounds apologetic.

"Oh, that's okay." I mumble, though I'm a little disappointed. "How much longer do you think you're going to be?"

I hear him rummaging around on the other end. I wonder what he's up to. "Too long. I don't want you waiting up for me on your birthday. I feel horrible. I promise I'll make it up to you."

What am I supposed to say? Work is work, especially in the business he's in. He can't really take the night off if there's things that he needs to do, deliveries he needs to make. "Okay." I muster up the courage to say. I'm sad and I try not to have my voice quiver. I was really looking forward to seeing him all day.

"Have a good night. Happy birthday, baby." He says softly into the phone. I can almost hear him speaking through a big smile, making me question what's going on. Why does he sound so happy telling me he can't see me on my own birthday?

"Thank you." I say back before he hangs up.

I groan and roll my eyes, walking to the bathroom to take my makeup off and get ready for bed, since clearly I have nothing else to do. As I reach for my makeup wipes, my phone starts to ring again. Is it Ash eagerly waiting to tell me he's just joking?

I look over curiously, but I see Ivy's contact. I answer. "Hey Ivy."

"Hey! Look outside your window right now!" She shouts so loud I have to hold the phone far from my ear.

"Why?" I ask while laughing, slowly making my way towards the window in the living room.

"Just go look." She repeats.

I reach my window and I draw back the curtains, peeking outside and I see Ivy sitting in her white Audi, excitedly waving at me through the passenger window. She's ducked down so that I can see her clearly.

I start to laugh into the phone. "What are you doing here?"

"Get in the car right now. No questions. Just do it. Okay, love you. Bye!" She quickly hangs up the phone before I can get a word in.

I slip my phone into the back pocket of my jeans and I slip on my shoes, scooping my keys from the table near my front door and I leave. I walk over to her car, sliding inside. I stare at her, my eyebrows raised.

"Happy birthday!" She shouts, throwing herself over and wrapping me into a big hug. I laugh as I hug her back.

"Thank you!" I reply cheerfully. She pulls away and adjusts her seatbelt.

"Buckle up, we're going out." She pulls the sun visor down and looks at her lips in the mirror, fixing a small smudge under her bottom lip.

"Where are we going?" I question her as I buckle myself in.

"You ask too many questions. I'm taking you out for your birthday, just relax." She flashes me a smile.

I rest back into the passenger seat and cross my right leg over my left. I suppose since I can't see Ash tonight, I'm glad I'm at least doing something with Ivy. I wouldn't mind hanging out by myself on my birthday, but I think deep down a part of me is happy someone is at least celebrating with me - even if I wish it were Ash.