Page 197 of The Way I Hate Him
Maggie:HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I wish I was there to celebrate. I’m going to call later when I’m not in the church, listening to a priest tell the bride and groom about what it means to be bonded for life.
Hattie:Are you texting while in church?
Maggie:Never claimed to be a saint.
Hattie:More like a sinner.
Maggie:Listen, I wish I was a sinner at this point. What I wouldn’t give for a little romp in the confessional. I would easily confess my sins for an orgasm.
Hattie:LOL. We need to find you a man.
Maggie:Vacation fling, it’s happening. Me and Mr. Speedo. I’m going to enjoy snapping that fabric against his thick man thigh.
Hattie:I’m frothing in anticipation.
Maggie:I bet you are! So what are you doing today? I sent you a package. It should get to you today or tomorrow.
Hattie:Actually, I’m finishing up my makeup. Going to Hayes’s place today. He said he has something special planned.
Maggie:Why didn’t you stay at his place?
Hattie:We had a mini celebration last night for my birthday with Mac. I just stayed at my place last night, but Hayes wasn’t happy about it.
Maggie:I bet. The man is possessive. So you headed to his place soon?
Hattie:Yup. No idea what he has planned, but he said it would be epic. We shall see.
Maggie:Keep me posted. I want to know every fine detail.
Hattie:I will.
Maggie:And happy birthday, my bestest friend. I love you and can’t wait to see you again.
Hattie:Love you, too.
* * *
I pullup to the front of Hayes’s house and spot him sitting in one of the Adirondack chairs on his porch. I smile to myself, remembering the first time I saw him in that chair. He startled me to my very core. This time, though, seeing him there just makes me exit my car quicker.
Not sure what he has planned for the day, so I chose a simple pair of jean shorts and a navy-blue sleeveless blouse that’s super comfortable but also very flattering. I left my hair wavy and pinned it half up so it was out of my face.
As I approach, Hayes stands, wearing a pair of worn black jeans and one of his signature gray V-neck T-shirts. He skipped the hat today, opting to style his hair. He looks so incredible that I hope whatever he has planned for today includes me pulling his clothes off him.
“Happy birthday,” he says softly as he pulls me in by the waist and places a kiss on the top of my head. “How are you, baby?”
I inwardly smile and rest my head against his chest as he holds me tight. “Better now.”
“I wish you’d stayed here last night.”
“I know, but it was late.”
“As if I’d care. I didn’t sleep anyway with you gone.” He kisses the top of my head again and then loops his hand with mine, tugging me toward his house.
When I walk in, I immediately smell the bacon he’s been cooking as well as the eggs. Then my eyes spot the bakery box from The Sweet Lab. Next to the box is a vase of flowers and a card.
“Is that for me?” I ask, knowing very well that it is.
“What do you think?” he asks, leading me to the island, where he has me sit on one of the stools. Hands on my shoulders, he leans down and presses a kiss to my neck. “Open the card.”
