The Counting-Downers (24 page)

I’m on my way to Tristan’s cabin to celebrate his birthday. The rest of the gang is joining us later, which should be fun.

Ten minutes later, I pull up to the house and switch off the engine. Ever since the first time I visited, I’ve always made sure to switch cars with my mom when I know I’ll be coming here. The terrain wreaks havoc on my tires so I need her sturdier hybrid SUV.

I know I have about two minutes before Tristan comes outside to see if I’m okay, and what’s taking me so long, so I only have a short amount of time to go over the plan with the puppy again.

Unbuckling my seatbelt, I lean back and do the same to the one that’s securing the large gift box, complete with a red adhesive bow on top. This causes the puppy to give another questioning shout and peek his head out again to see what’s going on. I stretch to stroke his head, causing him to lean into my touch.

“Okay, bud, so here’s the plan.”

He tilts his head to the left, causing the lid of the box, which is resting on his head, to slide down.

“Your new daddy is going to come out here to say hi soon, but you’re not allowed to come out and greet him until I lift up the lid, okay?”

I know we don’t speak the same language, but I swear he’s listening and understands what I’m saying.

“You can’t make any noise. It’s a surprise. We’re playing a game.”

At the word ‘game,’ his ears prick up and his tongue starts to wag in excitement.

“Shh, not yet.”

From the corner of my eye, I see the cabin door open and Tristan’s head pop out from behind it. He sees my car and straightens before making his way down the steps and along the path.

As it always does when I see him, my pulse quickens and butterflies take up residence in my stomach. I hope I never lose that feeling. I hope he gives me a lifetime of butterflies. However long that lifetime is.

I dismiss that last thought as soon as it comes. Today is about celebration, not sadness.

“He’s coming. Hide now,” I tell the puppy, gently pressing down on the box lid before turning round in my seat and laughing to myself at the fact I’m conversing with an animal like it’s my best friend.

Thankfully, for both the dog and me, that position has already been filled by the golden-haired gentleman who is currently opening my car door with barely contained excitement.

Beaming, I fling myself out of the car and into his waiting arms before leaning up on my tiptoes for a world-stopping kiss.

“Hi.”

“Hey.”

Even though my arms are around his neck and his are resting just below my spine, I’m hit by a sudden shyness and hide my face in his chest, making him chuckle.

The transition from friends to forever has gone far smoother than I think either of us thought it would. Because we both knew, it was inevitable.

Becoming a couple has been as natural and instinctive to us as breathing. But on occasion, there are faint traces of awkwardness and anxiety.

It’s hard to explain, but I don’t want to lose our friendship in the excitement of our romantic relationship. He’ll always be my best friend first and my boyfriend second, and I think it’s the same for him.

“Happy birthday,” I say, titling my head up to smile at him.

“Thanks, Baby Bear.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “I’m excited to spend it with you. Something tells me it’s going to be the best birthday I’ve had in years.”

With a deep kiss, I try to redirect that train of thought before it even leaves the station. I know he was starting to think about the last two birthdays he spent alone; and the recent ones before, which were spent with a grandfather who didn’t recognize him, or maybe even his first birthday following the death of his parents when he was eight years old.

It makes me realize just how long he’s gone without a proper celebration.

Tristan is the only person who can both mend and break my heart. One he does on purpose, the other usually happens by accident.

How long has it been since someone sang him ‘Happy Birthday’ or made him a cake? For how many years has this day passed unnoticed or under a melancholic cloud devoid of any silver lining?

No wonder he was shocked when I asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday. At the time, I didn’t understand his surprise at such a simple question. Although quiet affairs, birthdays have always been a big event in my family, so it didn’t even occur to me that people might not have the same excitement surrounding theirs.

Now I understand. Even if I wish I didn’t. It makes me even happier to know all the things I have planned for today and the fact our friends will be celebrating with us later.

He deserves nothing less. He deserves so much more.

Before things become too heated out in the open, we break apart, too soon, if the reluctant expression on his face is anything to go by. I smile at him with a knowing wink, which makes him laugh.

“You look beautiful. You always do.”

“Thanks.” I glance down at the new dress I bought with Maia and Erin last weekend.

I love it. It’s a beautiful shade of peridot that the girls swore brought out the unique, vivid green of my eyes. The top of the dress is form fitting, hugging my curves, and cinching my waist before flowing out into a knee-length skirt with a shimmery gold overlay that looks like glitter and feels like magic. One of the most beautiful things I’ve ever owned. I look like an adult Tinkerbell.

My hair is down in loose swirls, which tumble over one shoulder. I know Tristan secretly loves it this way even though he’d never tell me how to wear it. Most days, I’m in flats, but today I borrowed a pair of my mom’s metallic wedged heels, which complement the dress. A light stroke of liquid gold eyeliner on my upper lids and black kohl liner below finishes my Hollywood moment.

I’d never say it aloud, but I
feel
beautiful. Fortunately, I have an amazing boyfriend to say it for me. Plus everything sounds better spoken from the lips of the one you love. It’s only fair that I return the favor.

“I’m a lucky girl. You look more handsome every time I see you.”

And he does. In a black cashmere sweater and slate grey dress pants with wavy hair that he’s run his fingers through, he looks almost edible. The dark colors make his swimming pool blue eyes stand out in a mesmerizing way.

Thinking of blue eyes leads me to remember the frosty blue ones I was talking to earlier. I jump with a start, causing Tristan to look at me in perplexed amusement.

“You okay, Baby Bear?”

“Fine. Just excited that it’s your birthday! You’re twenty-three today.”

“I am.” He laughs, unimpressed by my ability to count.

“We’re going to have such a great time.”

“I always have a great time with you. In fact, time ceases to exist whenever we’re together,” he says as he traces the chain of my stopwatch, which is tucked inside my dress. Shivering at his delicate touch, I give a bashful smile at his words that mean more to us than most.

“Likewise.”

“So you want to come inside? You can help me set up.”

“No, I have to give you your first present before we do.”

“Here?”

“Yes.” I release my hold on him and turn back toward the car.

“You can’t just bring it inside?”

I think of the furry ball of energy in the backseat, who is playing the game well at the moment, but I know it won’t last for much longer and with his history, I don’t want him to feel neglected for too long. With their lupine ancestry, huskies are sociable animals, and ours was often left alone for long periods, so he craves contact even more. It’s another reason why I think he’s perfect for Tristan.

“No, it has to be here and now.”

“Okay, Baby Bear. Also,
first
present?” he asks as if he’s just heard my earlier statement.

“Of course, what kind of girlfriend would I be if I only gave you one present?”

Warmth and love mingle and flow through my veins as I notice him brighten when I refer to myself as his girlfriend. It’s nice to know it means as much to him as it does to me.

We all need at least one person to care about us as much as we do them. It may be hard to quantify, but you know when an imbalance of emotion exists. Just like you know when it’s evenly matched.

“You’re already the best kind of girlfriend. You didn’t have to go to any extra effort.”

“Nonsense. It’s my job to take care of you and spoil you. Just sit back and enjoy it.”

He tries to blink away the glistening in his eyes before I see it but he doesn’t do it quite fast enough. He goes to talk and chokes slightly so he clears his throat and tries again. “Thank you.”

I nod in acknowledgement, before animating my expression. “So, are you ready for your first gift?”

“Yes.” He sparkles with a childish excitement he doesn’t even try to conceal.

“Okay.” I laugh, opening the back door and reaching into the seat to pick up the box. The puppy gives a small yelp, which I try to conceal with a cough, but thankfully, he doesn’t raise his head and spoil the surprise.

Crouching down to place the box on the ground, I look up at Tristan to find him looking at me in confusion.

“Um, Til? Is there a reason my present is on the dirt? I have two good sets of hands.” He waves them to demonstrate.

“I‘m aware and thankful for that, Goldilocks. But yes, your gift is on the ground for a good reason. Now come down here.” I motion for him to join me, sliding my hand under my thighs to make sure my beautiful dress is not trailing in the soil.

Once he’s lowered himself to my level, he looks at me in bemusement.

“Happy Birthday, baby,” I tell him as I gesture with my head for him to open the box.

His eyes soften at the endearment before he frowns at the box, which is now making rustling sounds.

“Tilda, is this box…moving?”

“Open it and find out.” I reach into my purse and pull out my phone, opening the camera app to capture this moment. And what a moment it is.

As the lid lifts, Tristan’s face displays a multitude of emotions. Shock, confusion, understanding, excitement, happiness, and best of all,
love
.

I can tell he loves our puppy. And he loves me. He hasn’t said it, but he
loves
me. His love is in every look, every touch, and every word. I don’t have to hear it to know it. I don’t have to see it to feel it.

He reaches into the box and pulls out our new addition, who is wriggling with the joy and excitement of his newfound freedom. He holds the puppy up so that they are looking into one another’s eyes.

And just like that, Tristan has another friend.

His expensive dress pants forgotten, my enchanted boyfriend sits on the muddy ground and plays with the puppy like he’s twenty years younger instead of another year older. I’ve never seen his dimples so deep.

His delighted laugh brings a smile to my face, as the pup clambers all over him and licks his face in greeting. Tristan hugs him close to his chest, into my favorite spot, as he looks up at me with a face full of feeling.

“You got me a dog,” he whispers in awe.

“I got
us
a dog.”

“Ours.”

“Ours,” I confirm.

We both smile at the evidence of the life we’re building together.

“Thank you, Baby Bear. This is… I wasn’t… you’re…” I watch as he struggles for words, and give him the time he needs to collect his thoughts. “This is incredible. You’re
incredible
. This is the most amazing and thoughtful gift anyone has ever given me. I love him already.”

“I love him too. He needs a name.”

“He does, did you have any ideas? He’s ours after all.” He smiles at the idea and shaking his head as if he can’t quite believe his gift.

“Since you have primary custody and you’re the birthday boy, I thought I’d leave it up to you.”

“How about”—he holds the puppy up to his face again causing it to woof in excitement at the game his new friend is playing—“Leo?”

“I love it. It suits him. Leo, King of the Jungle,” I say, spreading my arms out at our surroundings.

“I can’t believe you gave me a puppy.”

“Believe it.” I watch with contentment radiating through my bones as Tristan fusses over Leo.

When Tristan puts him down, Leo wobbles over to me and nuzzles into my side. For the next twenty minutes, we play with our new pet before I pick him up and cuddle him to my chest as I stand.

“There are doggy supplies in the trunk. They’re your second present. Do you just want to grab the bed and food, Trist? I think he’s going to need a nap after all of this excitement.” I glance down at the puppy, who’s already curled up with his eyes closed. I lean down and kiss the top of his furry head.

“Sure.” He dusts off his pants and heads over to my car. “Wow. Look at all this stuff. You didn’t have to buy all this, Til, but thank you so much. Do you just want to go inside and I’ll bring it all in?”

For a minute I panic that I left his other presents in the trunk, before I remember that they’re underneath a blanket on the front passenger’s side. I exhale in relief, knowing he’s just referring to the dog stuff.

“Sounds good, I’ll see you in a sec.”

After Tristan brings everything in and we settle the dog, we wash our hands before Tristan goes to change his pants.

“The other ones are filthy,” he says as he walks into the kitchen in a fresh pair of black slacks. “So worth it though.” He casts a loving glance over toward the dog basket. “He’s amazing. Thanks again, Tilda.”

“You’re so welcome. I’m just so happy you love him as much as I do. It’s good he’s napping now, everyone is going to fuss over him later.”

At the mention of our friends, Tristan stiffens. It’s almost imperceptible, but when you know someone inside out and outside in, you can read every tick of their muscles like passages in your favorite book. All of a sudden, he looks nervous and uncomfortable which confuses me.

“Are you okay?” I ask him, concerned.

“Yes… I… it’s just. I mean… I just forgot they were coming for a second.”

“It’s okay that they’re coming… right?”

“Yes! Yes, of course. I’m… looking forward to it.”

He sounds surprised and his tone confuses me. “So what’s the problem?”