And So I Ran - Complete

Chapter 27

One blessing of Mia Grey's non-stop chatter is that you're not expected to say much. Thursday morning, she called me at work to ask me what color I was wearing to Christian's birthday party on Saturday night at his parents' house, as she didn't want to clash.

His birthday party?! I could murder him! Thankfully by the time Mia had finished her prattle, I'd managed to compose myself to go with it – as if I'd known the whole time Saturday's party at the Grey's was for Christian's birthday.

"Mia! I was going to call you this morning. I wasn't sure of the dress code. I asked Christian, but you know men... He said whatever I felt like would be fine." I managed to sound upbeat and confident, not blindsided and furious.

After a ten-minute description of the two dresses Mia was agonizing between, I had enough information to get a sense of the dress code, so I gave her carte-blanche to wear whatever color she wanted, confident in the knowledge my new Christian-ordered wardrobe contained at least ten dresses suitable for the occasion. I terminated the call, but not before asking Mia to give Grace my numbers, with a request for her to call me to let me know what I should bring.

It was quiet at SIP, so I took a few moments to consider what the hell could I buy a billionaire? Christian had more money than almost anyone. Anything I could afford to buy him, he could afford to buy something ten times better. I was almost hyperventilating at my desk by the time Casey arrived.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her eyes regarding me shrewdly.

"It's Christian's birthday on Saturday, and I have no idea what to get him..."

"Well, what does he want?" Casey prompted.

"Nothing," I wailed. "If he wants something, he just gets it!"

"He must need something," she argued.

"Not really."

"Then you'll have to go the sentimental route," she suggested. "If you can't buy a man something he wants or needs, you need to give him something to treasure."

I groaned. Even with my income from my job at SIP, I was in a completely different ballpark financially when it came to gift giving. What could I possibly give Christian that wouldn't look pathetic? I had these horrible visions of standing in front of Christian's family and friends, presenting him the gift equivalent of a knick-knack box made out of popsicle sticks.

I was still feeling decidedly out of sorts when I rang Christian to 'discuss' the situation. After greeting him with a less than happy mouthful, I was surprised when Christian laughed.

"I'm sorry, baby. I had no idea Mom was planning a party. I didn't even remember it was my birthday until you said it."

"Really?" I blurted out in surprise. While my own birthdays had never been grandiose events, I'd always been quietly excited for the few days leading up to them. And I'd always had friends to share the day with, no matter how modestly.

Christian sighed, and it sounded as though he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"My birthday has always been... difficult... for me. My formative years are something that's painful for me to remember. I don't usually make a big deal about my birthday, but I guess now you're here, Mom has decided to mark the occasion."

"You didn't celebrate your birthday?!" I reiterated sadly, my mind painting a picture of Christian alone on his special day of the year.

"I'll make up for it this year," he promised cheerfully, making me feel the onus of finding the perfect gift more than ever!