Page 70 of Sweet Madness
“How could I forget?” she replies softly, her eyes tender. “Even when you were busy catching stars, I still celebrated your day with a delicious cupcake.” She points toward the cupcakes on the table.
I frown at that. “Busy catching stars?” I am confused. I know she would count stars waiting for her mother to come back, but what does that have to do with me?
Ella’s cheeks flush red. “Never mind.” She laughs shyly. “Besides, I couldn’t let your birthday go by without celebrating. What kind of friend would I be?”
There’s that dirty word again.
Fucking friends.
But I set the terms, so I can’t say anything about it now.
Instead, I push down the disappointment the word “friend” stirs in me and glance around the room, taking in the effort she put into decorating the place for me. The kitchen, usually boring and minimal, now looks warm, happy, and… pink.
Just like her.
“You didn’t have to do this, Moonshine. It’s just another day,” I finally manage, touched by her thoughtfulness. I don’t care for birthdays or the big circus most people use to celebrate them. To me, it’s another year—a year we’re closer to death. Morbid? Yes. True? Also, yes.
“I did have to do it, and no, it’s not another ordinary day,” she says gently, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “On a day like today, you were born, Shaw. Today is a magical day.”
Today is a magical day…
It really isn’t.
But I don’t say that because it would be ungrateful of me, considering she went out of her way to do all of this when she didn’t have to.
She went out of her way to decorate, cook, and celebrate a man who’s been unkind to her and who just a day before told her he couldn’t be what she wanted—what she needed.
I have no words.
So instead of opening my mouth and risking saying something that will make her feel less than perfect, I nod, a lump forming in my throat. Here she is, going out of her way to make me feel special, despite our differences and my behavior. I don’t deserve it, yet I’m grateful regardless.
Ella smiles brightly at me, then turns toward the table. “Sit! Let’s have cake.”
Together, we sit down at the table, Ella serving me a big slice of birthday cake, its candles flickering in the soft glow of the evening light. She sings “Happy Birthday,” her voice angelic and sweet. She’s actually a good singer.
Is there anything this perfect creature can’t do?
My chest tightens at the sight of her so happy just because she’s singing “Happy Birthday.” So simple and so damn sweet.
“Make a wish, Shaw Bear.” She pushes the cake closer to where I sit.
“Ah,” I chuckle awkwardly as I stare at the flickering candles, then back at her.
Her plump bottom lip sticks out adorably. “Please. It’s your wish. Everyone is entitled to their birthday wish, so go on,” she urges.
Her eyes look so happy and so bright that I find myself unable to deny her.
I hope you have the world, Ellaiza Kenton, and that you never have a sad day in your life. I make my wish and blow out the candles.
I don’t need anything. I’m used to the ugliness of this world, but she deserves all that is good—all that is magical.
Ella deserves so much more.
“What did you wish for?” Her smile turns wicked, and my heart thuds at the sight of it.
“If I tell you, then it won’t come true, will it?” I tease.
A soft gasp escapes her pink lips. “You’re totally right. Don’t tell me. We can’t risk your heart’s wish not coming true.” She sits back, looking serious as if the idea of my wish not coming true truly affects her.