“We won’t. Don’t worry, Dad,” Trent said.
With a nod and another smile in my direction, Sean disappeared from the clearing, and as he went, the lights along the path went with him, each strand blinking out. It hit me then that the attention he’d been talking about was from supernatural forces—witches, possibly other vampires. I shuddered at the thought.
“Well, let’s get this party started, huh?” Wyatt let out a loud whoop, then music blared through speakers that had been mounted around the gazebo.
I grinned, unable to contain my excitement. I was officially eighteen!
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO:
The Next Best Thing
“HAVING FUN?” TRENT PULLED ME CLOSER as we slid across the dance floor, our movements as slow and languid as the song that was playing.
“Yes.” My face was flushed from how much fun I was having. I’d never be able to repay him for tonight.
He smiled, and my heart once again fluttered—that had been happening quite a bit more than usual. Not that I was complaining. He leaned down and captured my lips in a slow sweet kiss that left me breathless and slightly dizzy.
“Do the rest of us get a chance to dance with the birthday girl?” Whitney asked.
Trent rolled his eyes, but his smile belied his fake annoyance. “I suppose.”
He released me, and Whitney stepped into his place, not missing a beat.
“Oh, okay,” I said with a laugh as we slow danced.
“I read somewhere once that girls often dance with each other like this at prom. Not because they’re in love, but because they’re besties, and that’s what besties do. Did you know sometimes friends will go to prom together when they don’t have dates?”
“Yes.” I laughed. “And they usually dance to faster music, but that’s okay.”
Nothing about Whitney was normal, and I’d quickly come to adore that about her. I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like being here without her. She’d definitely livened up the place.
Whitney grinned like I’d just given her the best gift in the world.
“You better not be in my head,” I warned.
She giggled.
“Whitney!”
She released me and swept me into Wyatt’s arms. “His turn.” Whitney gave me a mischievous wink, waved at me with her fingers, and flounced over to Trent.
I shook my head. “Your sister drives me nuts.”
Wyatt laughed. “Welcome to the club.”
I hadn’t spent much time with Wyatt since he’d arrived, so dancing with him now was slightly awkward, especially considering the sudden silence that had fallen over the gazebo. I glanced around to find Trent, Jax, and Whitney huddled around a table, their backs to me. What were they up to now?
Wyatt whipped me around, preventing me from seeing what they were doing. “No peeking,” he said.
“Okay, seriously, that mind reading thing is weird.”
“Sorry.” He laughed again. “After so many decades, it’s hard to shut it off. It’s so automatic now. But I promise to stop.” The song ended. Wyatt released me and gave a small bow. “Thank you for the dance.”
“You’re welcome.”
Another slow song started to play, and I expected Trent to sweep me back into his arms, but when Wyatt stepped back, Jax stood behind him.
“May I?” Jax held out his hand.
My breath came to a stuttering halt, and my gaze landed on Trent. He gave a subtle nod, indicating he was okay with me dancing with his brother. I’m glad he was because I wasn’t sure I could handle it. But I had danced with everyone else already, and the last thing I needed was for those two to start another fight.
“Of course.” I took his hand.
Jax slipped his free arm around me, his palm resting lightly against my back. His hand was warm and much too comforting. “You look beautiful tonight, Chloe.”
“Thank you.” My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat. “And thanks for all of this.” My gaze darted around to indicate the party, and to avoid having to look directly at him.
“You’re nervous.”
I glared at him—or rather, I tried—but his eyes were such a hazy shade of blue it gave me pause.
“It’s the first emotion I’ve seen tonight that hasn’t been sheer happiness.” He spun me around, and when I made the turn, he pulled me just a little closer.
My heart lodged in my throat, beating wildly, rendering me unable to speak.
“Ah, there it is.” Jax tilted his head, smirking. “My favorite color.”
I was afraid to ask.
“Time for cake,” Whitney announced at the exact moment the song ended.
My shoulders sagged with relief.
Jax placed a quick kiss to my cheek. “Happy birthday, Chloe.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and meandered toward the table where Whitney, Wyatt, and Trent stood.
I blew out a breath, praying my face wasn’t red, and walked over to Trent. He slipped his arm around my waist. I kissed his cheek, then sank down onto one of the chairs. My feet were killing me.
Whitney held up a cake with white icing and blue embellishments. “Happy 18th Birthday Chloe” was written across the center in fancy script. Eighteen candles flickered.
“We’re not singing to you,” Wyatt said.
I laughed and stood so she wouldn’t have to hold the cake down to my level. I could just picture it tipping into my lap.
“Make a wish,” Trent said.
Closing my eyes, I took a moment to come up with a good wish, then I blew out the candles. Everyone cheered. Whitney served the cake, and I was grateful to have a few minutes to just sit.
The cake was chocolate fudge—my favorite—with just the right amount of frosting, whipped, not buttercream. One bite, and I moaned with delight. It was perfection.
“This is so good,” I said.
“Of course, it is. I made it,” Jax said.
I couldn’t help it; I laughed.
“It’s better than sex, right?” Jax asked, a devious twinkle in his eye.
Trent heaved his slice of cake at Jax, who ducked seconds before it would have hit him.
“Trent!” I gasped, jerking my head around to look at him.
“What?” He laughed. “I knew it wasn’t going to hit him. Besides, it wasn’t that
