Page 64 of Thorns and Ashes
“And yet I’m the one with questionable mental health?” Rory’s hand slaps down on the table.
“Did you eat yet today?” I challenge.
Rory opens her mouth to argue, but the fight immediately leaves her once she realizes she’s once again got busy, distracted, and forgotten. “That’s not the point,” she says, face scrunched. “We’re celebrating! Forget the drive-ins! We’re getting hot and going out tonight. I’m talkin’ bar hopping, clubs, dancing. You name it. Birthday shots on me!”
“You don’t even drink.”
“Exactly. Perfect Designated Driver. You’re welcome.”
I roll my eyes, but it’s obvious these two aren’t budging, and I’m not getting out of this. Warmth radiates through me as I take in how excited they are to celebrate with me. My eyes drift down as I try to hide my grin, but it’s no use. “Okay.”
Ainsley smiles, and Rory hops up and down, clapping.
“Wait, how did you know?” My voice trails off at the end as I catch sight of Levi through the window.
“Yourboyfriendtold her.” Ainsley laughs with Rory like they’re in on a joke all their own.
“Brat,” I mutter, walking past them both and out the door with a bag of treats for Ellie.
“Birthday Bitch!” Rory whisper-shouts as the door swings.
I swear, I wouldn’t put it past her to find a way to have that on a sash by the time we go out tonight. I march up to Levi and stop with my hands on my hips. Brow raised in accusation, I peer down at him where he sits, the average-sized chair laughable beneath his bulk. He slowly raises his gaze to me while Ellie sniffs at the bag of treats resting on my hip.
“How’s it going?” he asks, his face having the nerve to stay completely neutral.
“Oh, don’t you give me that, like you don’t already knowexactlyhow it’s going.”
“You seem angry.” He feigns ignorance, his brows turned down slightly, really selling it as he rubs his knuckles against his bearded jaw.
“Do I? Jee, I wonder why?” I counter with my own mock ignorance. “Could it be that you decided to tell Rory that tomorrow is my birthday?”
“Why, Tris, I thought they already knew.” His facade of ignorance starts to break as the corner of his mouth tilts up. “At least that’s what you told me this morning.”
As my blood boils, my cheeks heat up. I fight off a grin of my own as Smart Ass continues with our sparring match.
“Had I known you wanted to keep that information all to yourself, I would havenevergiven Rory the idea that you’re all celebrating it together.” He bats his eyes at me, daring me to contradict him but knowing I can’t.
I had my reasons for not telling them, but he’s caught me in my lie, and now I’m paying the consequences. Not that I’m actually mad, though the way he appears so laid back and relaxed in his seat tells me he knows that. He’s simply making sure I know I’ve been caught, too.
“Why are you such a pain in my ass?” I sigh heavily, my shoulders dropping.
He laughs and leans back, looking me up and down like he’s enjoying his win.
I roll my eyes, holding out the bag of treats for Ellie. “Here, these are fresh out of the oven this morning.”
Ellie’s paws pitter-patter, and her butt wiggles with excitement. Levi holds one up and tells her to sit before tossing it into her mouth. She’s barely swallowed it down before her big brown eyes are asking for more.
“Oh!” I remember excitedly. “Look at this trick I taught her.”
I take a biscuit from the bag and tell Ellie to lie down. Once she does, I drop to a knee beside Levi and balance the biscuit on her nose.
“Leave it.”
She does as she’s told, and I peek at Levi, who is now staring at her with astonishment.
“Go ahead,” I tell her with a proud smile. Chin up, I stand, flipping my hair back. “Not bad, right?”
Levi smiles. “Not bad at all. I can barely get her to sit, but I’m glad she listens to someone.”
