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Good advice, me thinks

He left shortly after and I told Nat that ere going to Nik’s on Wednesday night for his birthday

She was excited about that Nat loves a good party

I also had to tell her a bit of news I didn’t dare tell her today at work

It was around three o’clock this afternoon and I was getting a life-saving fix of caraood looking

I said yes

What the heck, you say?

Well, after today’s lunchtiood sign

I think I agreed to go on this date to distractwith me, he’d let me know And even then I wouldn’t be with him til I was sure he could be what I need

So I have a date with Chad the Accountant on Thursday night Which ht

I’m sure I won’t beot a date on Thursday"

Nat’s body stills, she looks up from the e-reader and stares at me After about ten seconds she does the exact opposite of what I think she’ll do She se and yells out, "Finally! For the love of Pete, it’s about time woman!"

Uh, what?

"Uh, what are you talking about? I thought you’d be pissed!" I tell her

She looks confused and utters, "Pissed? Why would I be pissed? I told you this s with Nik…"

I lower my eyes and cut her off with, "The date’s not with Nik"

Silence

A torht and explodes, "What the HELL is wrong with YOU?"

I flinch and start, "His name’s Chad and he’s an accountant I met him at Winnie’s this afternoon"

She lowers her eyes and shakes her head in disbelief She queries, "Let oing on a date…with so and say, "It’s not like he cares I’ve told you before he doesn’t wanthim this afternoon…"

She squawks, "You WHAT??!"

"…and then Chad asked me out and it seemed the perfect distraction from Nik…"

She flaps her arms in the air and wails, "Why would you do that??!"

"…and I think I asps and covers her mouth with a hand I hear a muffled sympathetic, "Oh, honey"

I feel tears burnsuck?!"

She stands up, walks toShe tells "

My bff is Mister Miyagi

Wednesdayaway I sent Nat to Safira withwithout rushing

I can’t believe Nik gave in about the birthday cake!

Ceecee stopped me just before we had to leave to ask ets one and it makes me sad I want to show hi a seven layer chocolate fudge cara a batch of white choc raspberry cupcakes to take as well Iand caht Ceecee would enjoy So I’ift to her uncle who she lovesand turn off the oven I have to wait a while to ice the cake It needs to be coh with relief when I lift ht Nat toldon a date the day after his birthday will really cut Nik deep The thought of hurting Nik is enough to make my heart squeeze I’iven me any indication that he’s interested in retted our aht?

I’ on a date with Chad I’ll still go and give hi far

I look up at the wall clock Enough tih

Time to ice this monster cake

I don’t kno this happened

I just assumed when I told Tina to make a cake that it would be just Tina, Max, Ceecee, and ure out why my mom and sisters, Ghost, Trick, Nat, Lola, Mimi, and Tina are all here, too

Ceecee sits at the dining table decorating the cupcakes Tina brought That was nice of her

I can’t stop thinking about yesterday’s soft kiss I o with the flow of things Hopefully, she’ll tell me she wants me as much as I want her But Tina’s a hard nut to crack because she’s norirls who throw around affection to show she wants irls I know

Also, soht

I turn to see her talking and laughing with ht and if I’ truthful I’ve seen this scene inme I think the soft kiss she planted on me has made her a bit shy

Mom made three different types of Paella for everyone’s dinner I loveShe’s Mexican and cooks with a lot of spices Everything she makes is tasty and usually has a bit of heat to it It’s co my childhood, Mom made Mexican food at least four times a week She would make Russian food to appease Dad a few times a week, too I think shesure we still have the best of both cultures

We eat, drink, and s out a mammoth of a cake It’s really tall And it’s covered with thick and gooey chocolate fudge She tells everyone it’s a seven layer chocolate cake with alternating chocolate fudge and cararoan their approval

I’m thirty five today

It’s been nineteen years since ht perfect it would be to have him back for even just a ive me on this particular birthday

Ceecee watches e sht back at her

This one’s for you, kiddo

The crowd sings happy birthday and I blow outto Ceecee I need to make a wish, too I close my eyes and wish

I wish for Tina in irls come up to h at the auys slap me on the back and wish me well