Out On a Limb(83)

I looked at the photo for way too long, even amongst the chaos that was throwing this party together.

I love that dork.

And I’m going to tell him. Tonight.

Sarah and I talked about everything last night, and one thing became clear. I physically cannot handle living here with him another second without telling him. I just have to leap blindly and hope he feels the same.

And even if Bo’s not fully moved on from his past relationship, I think he’d be willing to try starting something new. There were so many instances yesterday where I just knew he could feel the same way about me as I do about him. The waiting room, his disappointment when I asked him to take me to Sarah’s, the look in his eye when he said I was perfect.

I think I could be content, even if Bo’s heart is in two places. Honestly, at this point, I think I’d happily settle for half of his affections. I have a feeling Bo would love me better at half capacity than anyone else ever could.

Kevin and Jeremiah burst through the door, apologising for being late as they become a flurry of scarves and jackets being removed. “We saw them pull onto the street, but they didn’t spot us. We parked around the corner like instructed,” Kevin says, handing a plate of food to Jeremiah as he dramatically rips off his shoes, tosses them into the closet, and barrels toward me.

“Where do you want these?” Jer asks as his husband wraps me up in a hug.

“Just on the table please,” I squeak from the inside of Kevin’s tight hug.

“How ya doing?” Kevin asks, releasing me.

“Fine!”

He studies me with a knowing smile. “You seem nervous.”

“I want Bo to love his party…”

“The party… sure,” Kevin says, patting my shoulder. “Sarah!” he shouts, walking over to her. “I made the bacon-wrapped scallops I was telling you about…” I lose focus of their conversation behind me when Walter raises his hand, pointing outside the window.

“They’re here,” he says, dropping the curtain. Adamir shuts off the lights as I pause the music, and everyone else crouches behind furniture or walls.

I move to the centre of the archway, between the dining and living room, and wait, my heartbeat thumping in my ears.

Bo’s dad opens the front door and quickly jogs inside, hiding on the other side of the archway, tucked inside the living room. He smiles widely at me with anticipatory excitement across his features.

I wink at him, my giddy smile growing by the second.

“Dad?” Bo calls out from the front steps. He’s nearly laughing but mostly confused as he steps into the front hall.

Then he sees me, wearing my dorky cone-shaped party hat and my purple linen dress, and his shoulders fall with a contented smile.

The seconds pass like minutes as we stare at each other from across the room.

But chaos explodes all around us soon enough, once Sarah restarts the music and everyone shouts “Surprise!” as they pop out from their hiding places.

Bo jumps backward, nearly falling on his ass. He clutches his chest, laughing as he regains his balance with one hand on the wall. “Oh my god,” he says, breathing heavily, half bent over. “Hi, everyone…” he says, straightening, his eyes on me.

“Happy birthday?” I say, wincing.

He shakes his head, smiling broadly as he beelines across the room toward me, dodging furniture and people in his path. Without warning, Bo picks me up off the ground and into his arms, crushing me against him in a tight hug as my feet dangle underneath me.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” he whispers, his mouth tilted into the crook of my neck.

I wrap my arms around his shoulders and hold him too. “I said I would be,” I whisper back.

“Did you do all of this?” he asks, his voice less strained but not quite right.

“Yeah.”

He sighs out, his breath warm against my throat. “Thank you.”

“So this is what it’s like up here,” I say, admiring my new viewpoint from over Bo’s shoulder. “I like it.”

“I missed you,” he says, lowering me back to stand on my own two feet.

I reach beside me for a party hat and hold it up to him. “It was just one night,” I say.

Bo bends at the waist, allowing me to fasten it to his head.

“Happy birthday,” I repeat, just for him this time.

“You didn’t text me back,” he says, his lips twitching into an uneasy grin. “I thought you were…”

I narrow my eyes on him, noticing the unusual mopiness across his face and the wildly tousled hair that usually signals his unease. His beard got tidied up and trimmed, but I’m glad he didn’t let the barber take off any of his hair. I love it longer.

“I’m sorry. I was busy doing this, and I forgot to reply.”

“No, don’t be sorry. This is amazing. I’m…” He shakes himself, reaching out for me. “Hi,” he says, pulling me against his chest again.

I laugh, hugging him. “Bo, are you okay? There are other people here who—”

“I’m a little drunk.” He straightens, wiping his brow with the sleeve of his grey sweater. “I haven’t had a drink since you told me about the baby. Solidarity, you know? But I think I’m a lightweight now?” He swallows, dropping his chin. “I had two sampler flights, and Dad ended up having to drive us home.” He scratches his jaw, looking around with a polite smile. “Everyone’s looking over here…” he whispers.