Chapter 106
Aria pov
I smiled, the muscles in my face felt tight as the camera clicked.
“One more—now everyone look at Noah p>
We looked down. Noah beamed up at us, missing his two front teeth. Pure joy on his chocolate-smeared face. Click.
“Perfect,” Olivia said softly.
Lucas appeared beside her, looking at the camera screen over her shoulder. “That’s a great shot p>
“It is, isn’t it?” Olivia tilted the camera so he could see better. Their heads were close together, bent over the small screen.
I caught Damien’s eye. He’d noticed too as his lips quivered in amusement.
We stayed like that for a moment. Frozen. Damien’s arm around me felt right. “Cake time!” Someone called.
We moved to the main area where Olivia had set up the magnificent chocolate monstrosity. Four layers of dark chocolate cake covered in chocolate frosting. Chocolate chips pressed into every surface. Chocolate dinosaur decorations perched on top. Candles shaped like the number four blazed, wax already starting to drip.
“Make a wish, baby.” I helped Noah closer, lifting him so he could reach.
He closed his eyes tight as his little face scrunched in concentration, nose wrinkling.
The room sang “Happy Birthday.” Voices blended together, off-key and enthusiastic. Damien’s hand found mine under the table. Our fingers laced together, his grip was tight as we watched our son.
Noah opened his eyes and blew. The candles went out in one breath as smoke curled up toward the ceiling. Everyone cheered.
“What did you wish for?” Tommy shouted over the noise.
“Can’t tell!” Noah looked between me and Damien. His expression was too meaningful for a four-year-old. “Or it won’t come true p>
But I saw it in his eyes, the wish. The same wish he’d probably made on every birthday before this. A family, both parents being together. My throat tightened but I couldn’t swallow.
Damien squeezed my hand. His thumb stroked my knuckles, the touch gentle. He’d seen it too.
The cake cutting became a mess. I noticed Olivia and Lucas working together to serve slices. She handed him plates. He distributed them to parents. They moved in sync, like they’d been doing this for years.
“Here—let me get that.” Lucas reached for a plate at the same time Olivia did. Their hands touched as both froze for a second.
“Sorry.” Olivia pulled back, her cheeks flushing.
“Don’t be.” His voice was soft. “Here—you take this one. I’ll grab another p>
I pretended not to watch but I was smiling.
“You’re terrible at being sneaky,” Damien murmured in my ear. His breath was warm against my neck, raising goosebumps. “They can probably feel you watching p>
“I’m not watching p>
“You’re staring p>
“I’m observing.” I turned to him. “There’s a difference p>
“Whatever you say.” He was grinning now. “But for the record—I think it’s working p>
It was. I could see it in the way Olivia relaxed around Lucas. The way he found excuses to stay near her. The way they both smiled—soft and hopeful.
“Thank you,” Damien whispered. “For today, for all of this p>
“It’s his birthday.” But my voice was soft. “You should be here p>
“I want to be here for all of them.” His breath tickled my skin. “Every birthday, holiday, every ordinary day p>
“Damien”
“I know.” He pulled back slightly. His hand was still on my waist. “One day at a time, but Aria—this feels right. Doesn’t it? The three of us p>
It did. God help me, it did.
“Presents!” Noah announced, chocolate covering his face like war paint.
The present opening was controlled chaos. Noah tore through wrapping paper. The sound filled the room—ripping, crinkling. He exclaimed over each gift. Dinosaur toys. Books. Art supplies. Building sets. His thank-yous were automatic, rushed, eager to get to the next one.
Lucas had gotten him an expensive science kit. The box was heavy.
“This is amazing.” Olivia leaned over to look at it. “Noah will love this p>
“You think so?” Lucas looked pleased. “I wasn’t sure what four-year-olds are into these days p>
“It’s perfect.” She smiled up at him. “Very thoughtful p>
Damien’s jaw tightened slightly, but he said nothing.
“And this one” I handed Noah the biggest box. My muscles strained. ” is from Daddy p>
Damien looked nervous as his fingers tapped against his thigh.Noah ripped the paper off. It came away in huge chunks. Inside was a medium-sized animatronic T-Rex. Not the twelve-foot monstrosity Damien had originally wanted, but impressive.
“It roars!” Noah pressed a button as the T-Rex let out a realistic roar that made several children jump. “It’s perfect p>
He launched himself at Damien. His small body hit hard enough to make Damien stumble back a step.
“Thank you, Daddy. It’s the best present ever p>
Damien’s eyes filled. Tears gathered at the corners. He hugged Noah back, his whole body shaking slightly. His arms wrapped tight around our son.”Anything for you, buddy. Anything p>
I looked away. My own eyes were stinging as I blinked hard.The party wound down. Parents collected sugar-crashed children. Kids dragged their feet toward the elevator, clutching new toys and goodie bags. I watched Lucas help Olivia pack up leftover cake. Their conversation was easy now, comfortable.
“So you work at Everhart Hospital?” Lucas was saying.
“Pediatrics.” Olivia sealed a container. “Have been there for quite some time now p>
“That must be rewarding and exhausting p>
“Both.” She laughed. “But I love it, the kids make it worth it p>
“I can tell.” He handed her another container. “You’re good with them. Noah clearly adores you p>
“He’s special.” Her voice softened. “They both are. Aria and Noah—they’re my family p>
“That’s nice.” Lucas’s expression was thoughtful. “Having that kind of loyalty, that kind of friendship p>
“What about you?” Olivia asked. “Any family in Ravenwood p>
They kept talking. I busied myself with cleaning but kept one ear on their conversation. Soon it was just us. Me, Damien, Noah, Lucas, and Olivia. Surrounded by wrapping paper and dinosaur decorations.
“Best birthday ever,” Noah announced. He yawned hugely, his jaw cracking. His eyes were already half-closed.
“Agreed.” Damien ruffled his hair.
Lucas checked his watch. “I should probably head out. Let you guys decompress p>
“Wait” I said quickly, my plan clicking into the final place. “Before you go. That business dinner we planned? Next Thursday p>
“Right.” Lucas nodded. “The contract review p>
“I was thinking we should make it less formal and more relaxed.” I glanced at Olivia, who was suddenly very still. “And Olivia should come. She never gets out. Always stuck at the hospital or helping with Noah p>
Olivia’s head snapped toward me as her eyes went wide.
“That’s a great idea,” Damien said smoothly, catching on immediately. “Dr. Grant, you’ve been working too hard. A nice dinner would do you good p>
“I don’t want to intrude on business” Olivia started.
“You wouldn’t be intruding,” Lucas said too quickly. Then he seemed to realize it and cleared his throat. “I mean—it would be nice to have more than just business talk. Make it more social p>
“See?” I smiled innocently. “Perfect. That new Italian place downtown. Seven o’clock, just the four of us p>
“Four of us.” Lucas repeated, his eyes moving to Olivia. Something hopeful flickered across his face. “That sounds really nice actually p>
Olivia bit her lip. Her fingers twisted together. But when she looked at Lucas, her voice was steady. “Okay. Thursday. I’ll be there p>
“Great.” Lucas’s smile was genuine now. “I’m looking forward to it p>
They held eye contact for a beat too long. I had to bite my lip to keep from grinning. Lucas left with a final wave, his eyes lingering on Olivia before the elevator doors closed.
Olivia waited exactly three seconds before rounding on me.”What was that p>
“What was what?” I picked up a stray napkin.
“You know what, a dinner? You ambushed me p>
“I told you I was going to set something up.” I kept my voice innocent. “This is me setting something up p>
“I thought you meant coffee or something casual!” Her cheeks were still pink. “Not a double date p>
“It’s not a double date.” I lied. “It’s a business dinner with friends p>
“It’s absolutely a double date.” Damien picked up wrapping paper, clearly amused. “And it was well executed p>
“Thank you.” I shot him a grin.
“I hate you both,” Olivia muttered. But she was smiling. Her fingers twisted together, nervous energy radiating off her. “What am I supposed to wear? What if I say something stupid? What if”
“Breathe.” I grabbed her hands. “You’re going to be fine. You were fine today, i saw you two. Laughing. Talking. Working together like it was natural p>
“That was just”
“That was you being yourself. And he liked it.” I squeezed her hands. “Liv, I saw the way he looked at you. The way he found excuses to stay near you so trust me p>
She bit her lip, hope and fear warring in her expression. “You really think he’s interested p>
“I know he is.” I pulled her into a hug. “Now stop panicking and start getting excited, you deserve this p>
“If this goes badly, I’m blaming you p>
“Fair enough.” I grinned. “But it won’t p>
Olivia left soon after, still muttering about needing to find something to wear. The elevator doors closed on her anxious, hopeful face.
Damien came up behind me, arms wrapping around my waist. His chin rested on my shoulder. “That was smooth,” he murmured.
“I learned from watching you manipulate board rooms.” I leaned back into him. “Though my methods are more subtle p>