“But we’re right here. It’ll only take a second.”
James shrugged his shoulders and I tried to hide my smile. The doors dinged open on Mason and Bee’s floor.
I knocked on their door, but there was no answer.
“I guess she’s at yoga or something. Which means Mason is on a run. One sec.” I pulled out the key I had to their place. Bee had given it to me for when they went on business trips together. They had one plant in their apartment, and Bee was terrified of killing it. She said it was her practice baby. I smiled as I put the key into the lock. Maybe I needed to get myself a plant too.
“Are you sure it’s okay for us to just go in? What if they’re… you know.” He winked at me.
I laughed. “Then they should have answered the door. Besides, that’s what spare keys are for. Returning your friends sunglasses if you happen to be in the neighborhood.”
“I guess,” James said and put his hands in his pockets.
I opened the door to an empty apartment.
“At least they’re not naked,” James said with a laugh as he walked in.
Awkward. It reminded me of when I had almost given James head in front of a houseful of surprise guests for my graduation party.
“Surprise!” everyone yelled as they jumped out of their hiding places.
James laughed and wrapped his arms around me. “Do you think they heard my naked comment?” he whispered in my ear.
“I have no idea.”
He laughed again and kissed my cheek. “Thanks for the surprise. I knew you were acting weird.”
I smiled up at him.
“Happy birthday!” Jen screamed and threw her arms around his neck. “Oh, God, I’m sorry,” she said and pulled back. “Does it still hurt?”
“I’m okay,” James said.
“I hope it’s alright that I invited Ian,” she said.
James glanced at Ian who was standing off to the side of everyone else. “When did that happen?”
“You were unconscious for a long time. Come with me.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward Ian.
James smiled at me from over his shoulder.
“Whoa let me help you,” I said and grabbed a huge gift wrapped box from Rob. He was holding it with one arm while balancing a crutch. “Geez, what’s in here? This is ridiculously heavy.”
“It’s a surprise, but you probably shouldn’t be lifting it either. You can just put it on the ground.” He adjusted the sling on his arm as I placed the box down in front of me.
“And you should probably sit down.” I looked down at the cast on his leg.
“I keep telling him to sit down. Hi, Penny,” Daphne said and gave me a hug.
“How do I suddenly have so many women meddling in my life? Last time I checked, I still had my spleen so…”
“Very funny. Thanks for putting this all together,” I said and gave him a hug.
“Anything for you guys. You know that.” He kissed my cheek. “But yeah, maybe I should sit down.”
Daphne looped her arm behind his back.
“Being an invalid does have its perks,” he said to her and she smiled up at him.
“You guys are adorable,” I said.
“Adorable?” Rob scrunched up his nose. “I hate that word. To the couch!” He pointed to where everyone else was gathered.
James was already sitting there. He had saved a space beside him. I sat down and rested my head on his shoulder.
“To James,” Rob said and lifted up his glass. “The best brother and friend a guy could ask for.”
Everyone clinked glasses and I took a sip of my water.
Mason cleared his throat. “James, you had us all worried sick. And the past few weeks have been… well, frankly, fucking terrible.”
James laughed.
“It’s not funny yet, man. But, either way, I thought we could all use some positivity. James, two years ago you gave me some advice. The best advice I’ve ever gotten, really. And even though I never ask for your help, you’re always there for me. Bee and I wouldn’t be together right now if it wasn’t for you. And I don’t want to steal the show in any way. But Bee and I have some news.”
“We’re engaged!” she shrieked and turned her hand so we could see the huge ring on her finger.
“Oh my God!” I got up and gave her a hug. “I’m so happy for you. And you, Mason.” I gave him a hug too.
“Thanks, Penny,” Mason said. “And it’s because of you too. If James hadn’t met you, he never would have given me the advice that he did. And seeing you and him together, it made me realize what I was missing, you know? So, thank you.”
For some reason I started crying. “That’s so sweet of you to say.”
“Don’t cry.” He smiled at me.
“Sorry.” I quickly wiped away my tears. “I’ve just been really emotional recently.”
“I think we all have.”
I wiped away the rest of my tears and looked back at Bee. “Your ring is beautiful. Tell us everything. How did he propose?”
“It was so romantic.” She smiled up at him. “He proposed at the top of the Empire State building.”
I glanced back at James. I rarely ever won one of our bets.
He shrugged his shoulders.
I took a second to soak in this moment as I looked around the room. Mason and Bee were finally engaged. Rob was in love. Melissa was snuggled up next to Matt. They seemed to be hitting it off really well. And Jen and Ian looked so happy together. I sat down next to James. “Let’s tell them our news a different day,” I whispered. “Let’s just enjoy this moment right now.”
“I was thinking the same thing.” He touched the bottom of my chin so that my lips met his.
“Okay, okay,” Rob said. “Congrats you two. But you said you didn’t want to steal the show, so stop stealing the show. I want James to open the present I got him.”
Mason laughed. “Yeah. Sorry. We just couldn’t not tell you guys.”
“I’m so happy for both of you,” James said. “And thanks for what you said. That meant a lot to me.”