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“How could I ever forget?”

“Of course, he remembered your birthday, hon,” his mom remarks. “What kind of fiancé wouldn’t celebrate the day you came into the world?”

“Right. Sorry. I just…wasn’t sure. You didn’t say anything all day.”

“I wanted to surprise you,” Monty says.

“Well, mission accomplished.” I laugh and dab at my eyes with my linen napkin.

“Make a wish and blow out the candle,” Richard urges.

“Oh. Right. This is the first year I didn’t light it myself,” I tell them before I close my eyes and think up a wish.

Once I have one, I open my eyes and blow it out.

When I glance around the table, everyone’s eyes are shiny. Monty’s, his mom’s and even Richard’s. “What? These are happy tears,” I assure them when I realize they’re looking at me with something that feels a little too much like pity.

Monty places his hand on my knee under the table and gives it a squeeze, then leaves it there. A second later, his mom reaches over and pats my arm. “Happy Birthday, sweetheart. I’m so glad we got to spend it with you.”

“Me too,” I tell her sincerely.

“So, we’ve got a problem,” Monty says as soon as we walk into the bungalow. “My mom loves you and I don’t think there’s anything⁠—”

I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him. It’s our first kiss alone, one without witnesses or cameras. It’s just us and it’s the best kiss because it doesn’t taste like a lie.

Monty kisses me back just as fiercely. His hands move from my waist around to my backside to pull me closer…only to immediately pull away.

Reaching up, he removes my arms from his neck. He stares down at me with hazy, lust-filled eyes and a frown. “This is getting… complicated.”

“I know.”

“You still work for me, Kendall.” He lowers my arms but grasps my hands and doesn’t let go.

“I know that too.”

“I shouldn’t want you.”

“But you do?” I ask.

“Of course I do. I’ve wanted you for years,” he says. “This weekend hasn’t been easy on me. I don’t know what I was thinking…”

“It hasn’t been easy on me either, Monty,” I reply. “Tomorrow we’ll go back to the real word. But tonight, it’s just you and me. And it’s my birthday. You remembered when no one else did…”

“Dammit,” he mutters before he lets my hands go to grab my face and cover my mouth with his again. Against my lips he says, “I’m sorry, cupcake. I don’t know how anyone can forget the day you were born, not when you make everything better. You brighten every room and know exactly what to say to cheer someone up. I wouldn’t have survived the past two years without you in my life. I want you so damn much, but I shouldn’t…I can’t…we can’t…”

“It’s just for one night, Monty.”

“Are you sure? Just one night?” he repeats and I nod because I can’t say the lie again convincingly.

I would do anything to have Monty forever, but if that’s not an option, then I’ll take what I can get.

“I don’t want to sleep next to you tonight and have you not touch me,” I tell him.

Monty’s lips seal over mine and this time I know that he’s not going to stop again, to hesitate.

He’s too far gone.

Thank God.