Chapter 21

twenty-one

PAUL

Four days later, I added the last barnyard animal to the top of Amy's birthday cake. So much had happened since we'd come back from Boulder.

The good news from the hospital was that the bones in my nose and cheek weren't broken. The bruising had gone from red and purple to dramatic shades of yellow and brown. Hopefully, by Christmas Day, my face would be back to normal.

"I'm impressed." Liam walked into the kitchen and studied the cake. "How did you make the chickens and mice? They're so small."

"They're made from the fondant I bought in Boulder. It looks like Play-Doh, but it's a type of thick icing that's completely edible."

"Amy will love it."

I wiped my hands on my apron. "I hope so. How are the decorations?"

"I'm a little out of practice, but they seem okay. Can you help me with the birthday banner? It keeps sliding off the rail. "

"Sure. If we do it now, I can start breakfast after we've finished." I followed Liam into the living room. I stopped in the doorway, amazed at what he'd done.

The ceiling was covered in pink helium balloons attached to silver ribbons. Twinkling fairy lights surrounded the windows, and a blow-up flamingo filled one corner of the room.

"This is incredible. Where did you find the pink flamingo?"

"It was in the novelty section of the store where I bought the ribbon."

I stared at the ceiling. "How many balloons did you buy?"

Liam cleared his throat. "A few packets. I was worried the helium tank would run out, but it didn't. Do you think Amy will like it?"

"She'll love it." What she'd like even more was that Liam had spent a lot of time decorating the room for her. "I can't believe you bought all of this while I was at the hospital."

"What can I say? I'm a quick shopper. This is the banner." He walked across to the sofa and picked up one end of the birthday sign. "I tried using tape to stick it to the rail, but it keeps falling off."

I touched the bright red foil banner. "It's too slippery. I'll get the string I saw in the kitchen. It might be better."

As I opened one of the drawers, I glanced at my watch. Hopefully, Amy would sleep for another half hour, but the chance of that happening was practically zero.

When I returned to the living room, Liam was using special tape to stick some of Amy's pictures on the walls.

"Do you think it's too much?" he asked.

"No, it looks great. Our house in Milwaukee is full of Amy's artwork. It'll make the house feel like our home." I looked at the rail, then cut a length of string off the rolled-up ball.

A piece of paper fell on the floor. Liam picked it up and grunted. "I should have read the instructions first. They recommend using string."

"Don't worry. I did the same thing for a friend's birthday last year."

Between the two of us, we hung the banner in a matter of minutes. I stood back and looked around the room. "It's perfect."

"I agree."

Liam's softly spoken words made me turn around. I wished I hadn't. There was a softness in his eyes that made my breath catch.

He cleared his throat. "You haven't mentioned anything about me being gay."

I might not have said anything, but I'd thought about it a lot. "It's hard enough telling someone. Why would I make a big deal out of it?"

Liam gave me a small, appreciative smile. "In my line of work, it's not something I bring up often. You never know how people are going to react."

I nodded, understanding more than he knew. "I get it. When I came out, not everyone was as understanding as I thought they'd be. My parents were supportive, but some friends drifted away. I've learned to surround myself with people who matter and not worry about anyone who doesn't like who I am."

Liam's eyes searched mine. "It's difficult to have a supportive network when you're constantly moving for work. I feel like I'm always hiding a part of myself."

I stepped closer, the weight of our shared experiences hanging in the air. "Whenever I meet someone, I wonder if I should tell them I'm gay or not say anything. But you can be yourself with us, Liam. Amy and I aren't going anywhere."

Liam's gaze softened, and for a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me. Instead, he nodded and cleared his throat. "Thanks. It means a lot."

"Anytime," I replied, my voice barely a whisper.

We stood there for a few more seconds until I heard Amy's sneakers thumping down the stairs. "Are you ready to surprise the birthday girl?" I asked.

Liam grinned and quickly stuck the last picture on the wall. "Now I am. Do you want to sing her happy birthday?"

I nodded as Amy rushed into the room. The grin on her face as we sang to her was priceless. So was the hug she gave each of us when we'd finished.

Liam handed Amy one of the balloons. "Happy birthday."

She held onto it and spun in a slow circle. "I love my party." She ran across to the flamingo and patted its leg. "Can we take some photos for my friends?"

"Of course we can," I said. "But we won't show anyone the photos until we go home." Liam wouldn't be impressed if the pictures found their way onto Facebook.

"I need Dolly," Amy cried. "I'll be back soon." And before I could remind her to slow down, she was gone.

Liam's smile as he watched her go made me sigh. I just hoped spending time with Amy didn't break his heart all over again.