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Especially since he was apparently blowing off my birthday party

I quickly pushed that thought down, not wanting to get angry if he was, in fact, sick With presents in hand, they had obviously come in Jordan’s place And he wouldn’t miss my birthday unless he were ill or it was important

“Arella,” Palaze away frolanced at my best friend Palmer looked at me with concern as she touched the back of her hand tookay? You went pale all of a sudden”

I forced a smile, but she knew me so well that she could tell it didn’t reach uess Myall day, then we spent a few hours at my favorite spa”

I’d been pae and then hadready for pro my makeup But for me, it was so much more than that Today was supposed to be one of thedays of my existence

Only it wasn’t turning out anything like I expected

I could tell by the look in Pal, but she didn’t call lanced overat the Moreittis Grasping ave it a firm squeeze “Here they come with your le like you mean it”

I did just that without questioning her, knowing she would never steerthe roo sound that always made my dad smile, no matter what Moments later, Mo behind me with the Moreittis at her side

I widenedclasses I’d taken over the years “Mr and Mrs Moreitti,” I greeted “It’s so nice to see you”

Alexis gave me a small but warift in her hand “Just a little so from us”

“Thank you,” I told her sincerely “You didn’t have to do that Just having you here means so much”

Her face softened so her shoulders “We also wanted to deliver Jordan’s present in person” She glanced up at her husband, and he handed over the present he was holding on to

“Jordan had to rirets he couldn’t ive you this personally”

I stared down at the slittery red bow on top Metallic red was ift his iven me rapped identically, and for so

When I made no move to take the present from him, Palmer saved me “Why don’t I hold this while you unwrap the Moreittis’ present?” she murmured

I put on my best smile, which put the Moreittis at ease, but it didn’t fool either Pal ers not to tremble as I carefully unwrapped their sift card to one of ift but iy putting effort into it

Still, I was thankful for it, and I told theed them both

When they glanced at Palift, I discreetly shot Mom a “Help me” look Without question, she turned to the Moreittis with a bea us just last week how active you two are with GreenPlanet Did you know they asked hile just for their latest fundraiser?”

Their eyes brightened, and they let Mom lead thelared down at the present still in her hands “What should I do with this?”

The smile I’d kept in place for Jordan’s parents vanished When I looked at his gift, all I wanted to do was cry His dad wasn’t very convincing about the work excuse, so I didn’t believe it for a second Still, I couldn’t bring ave me

I took the s to put this in my roo”

Upstairs, I closed and locked ainst it Tears burned ers around the shiny present so hard they quickly began to ache Fighting a sob, I antly down on the end