Laughing, Ashley rubbed a careful hand over the Rottweiler's large head. "I was wondering if you'd be here."
Xavier grabbed the collar and issued a sharp command. The dog immediately sat at Ashley's feet, its tail wagging a steady rhythm. "I'm sorry. As you can see, Rocky hasn't changed."
Ashley smiled at Xavier and held her hand out to the dog. "And I'm glad. What an enthusiastic welcome." Rocky offered his paw. Laughing, she knelt and accepted it. "He's such a good boy."
"When he bolted for the house, I figured you guys were here..." Shane stood in the doorway, a yellow tennis ball in his hand. Brows winging up when he caught sight of Ashley, he quickly glanced at Xavier and then gave her a relaxed, easy smile. Dropping the ball, he strode into the kitchen. "Dinner's ready, stuffed shells and salad. And don't worry, Ryan cooked, not me. If you can fight your way through the army of balloons in the dining room, that is."
Ryan playfully punched his shoulder. "You're just jealous that we didn't make as big a fuss for your birthday."
True to Shane's words, they did have to push through balloons. Someone had set the table with white dishes, champagne flutes, and a tablecloth embroidered with colorful balloons that continued the festive birthday theme. They crowded around the large table. Ashley sat between Xavier and Kelsey. Mike stood at one end of the table. He remained standing as everyone else took their seats and Shane finished pouring champagne into the glasses.
Mike cleared his throat. "It means a lot to me that all of you are here today. As I get older..." He paused to clear his throat again. "As I get older, birthdays mean more. They become more precious. Some of my friends see or hear from their kids only a few times a year. But for me... My boys call and text all the time. And I see you every week, either for dinner or in Leo's case, video chat. You look out for me, and for each other. You always have."
At the opposite end of the table, on Kelsey's other side, Leo spoke up, "Of course, Dad. And we always will."
Mike ran his hand over the colorful tablecloth. "Your mother would be happy that we still use this." He raised his head again. "What we have right here, around this table, is what she wanted. All of her boys, together and happy, and with people who care about them. You make me proud every day. That's the best gift a father can ask for."
Tears pricked Ashley's eyes. Under the table, Xavier's hand closed over hers. A muscle worked hard in his jaw as he took in his father's words. Ashley leaned into him. Across the table, Everson put his arm around Ryan. And in the corner of her vision, Kelsey and Leo linked hands. Shane sat alone but seemed content.
Mike waved his hand toward the covered dishes at the table's center. "Anyway, that's all. Thank you for making an old man happy. Now, eat."
"You're not old." Xavier's grumble was almost like a directive. But he smiled and reached for his glass of champagne. "Happy Birthday, Dad. Hopefully, this year we won't add more gray hairs to your head."
They toasted, and then passed around the food, and then conversations erupted from every corner. It was so different from the quiet dinners she'd shared with her mom and sister. Overwhelming, but entertaining. The evening wasn't even over, and she already wanted to come back again.
After they finished eating, Xavier left the room to get the cake. Shane, Ryan, and Leo followed close behind with the dinner dishes. Ashley chatted with Mike, Everson, and Kelsey, while laughter and teasing banter poured out of the kitchen.
Someone dimmed the lights, and then the brothers emerged from the kitchen with the glowing, candle-laden cake. The affection the Brennan family shared was obvious during the jubilant singing of Happy Birthday. Xavier was the most relaxed Ashley had ever seen him. She wished she could bottle up this moment.
Ryan poured coffee, stepping over the dog as he passed out the cups, arguing good-naturedly with Shane over who should get the piece with the most icing.
Holding the knife with ease, Xavier cut into the cake. "Dad, since it's your birthday, you get the first piece."
Dishing out huge wedges, he passed out the plates, serving himself last.
More nervous about this cake, this tasting, than she'd been through the two rounds of the competition, Ashley held her breath while the others took their first bites. She acknowledged their accolades but it was Xavier's approval, Xavier's opinion, she sought. He settled back in his seat with his piece, and as his lips closed over the fork, she anxiously watched his face.
His nod and groan of appreciation relaxed her. "Delicious doesn't begin to describe this."
She drank in the compliment like a thirsty flower soaking up water, smiling when the rest of the family echoed their agreement.
Spending time with his family was a good reminder of what really mattered. And it gave her a taste of what she wanted her future to look like. A home, full of laughter and people and love.
And someone special by her side to share it all. Like Xavier. Only Xavier. Falling for him hadn’t been part of the plan. But she had fallen... She just didn’t know what to do about it. She’d never saddle him with her mounds of debt. And she truly didn’t know what she’d do or where she’d go if they didn’t win that grand prize money. Maintaining a relationship would be hard if she ended up couch-surfing in Chicago, depending on the kindness of Katie’s friends.
But a festive party wasn't a place for those thoughts. Enjoy the moment had been something her mother often said. It was time to take those words to heart. She'd enjoy this time with Xavier and not worry about what could possibly
