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some grand Declan gesture.
    Jackson, my ex-boyfriend turned best friend,
is the only person that completely refuses to follow my
anti-birthday rule. He goes all out every year. Luckily, this year
he’s unable to come back home for any type of celebrating he would
normally do, so I shouldn’t have any problem keeping my birthday a
secret from Declan.
    * * * * * *
    After a full day of classes, I am back at
the bar and two hours into my shift. Max, Marsha, Dustin, and Marla
(my roommate and Max’s daughter) left a small pile of presents for
me on the break room table. Nobody said anything to me all day but
I’m not at all surprised by their thoughtful gifts. Marla got me a
pair of True Religion jeans and a new top. Dustin got me a bottle
of Juicy Couture perfume and Max and Marsha bought me a beautiful
Michael Kors rose gold watch with Swarovski crystals. The gifts are
too much, but I’ve learned over the last couple years that their
gifts are non-negotiable—they love me and want to spoil me and no
amount of complaining changes their ways. I slip on my new watch
and spritz myself with the perfume Dustin gave me then start my
shift.
    Luca, Greyden, Keegan and Declan stroll into
the bar and my night starts to feel even lighter. That is until I
see the girls walk in behind them—the same girls from the first
night I met them, including the girl that was (and is) all over
Declan. I believe her name is Rachel.
    Instead of grabbing a table, they all come
up to the bar and sit down on the stools. The small girl that was
with Greyden last time wraps her arms around him from behind and he
pretty much ignores her. Declan shakes off Barbie and chooses the
stool at the end of the bar—directly across from me. He reaches
over and taps my nose with his index finger.
    “ Hey, Sunshine,” he says
as he adjusts his stool closer to the bar. He’s wearing a grey hat,
lip and eyebrow rings in place. He has a black t-shirt with some
brand name and tribal art across the chest. His dark jeans are
topped with a belt that has his signature chunky silver buckle
resting below the hem of his shirt. He’s just freakin’
hot.
    “ Hey, how was your day?” I
ask with a big smile as I look to Rachel, who is standing behind
Declan just to the right. If she leans in about three inches, she
could easily rub the tip of her too pointy nose just beneath his
right earlobe. I’m irritated and she looks like she wants to kill
me.
    “ Not too bad. I took Macie
to lunch and she said to tell you ‘hi.’”
    Rachel reaches up with her left hand to
caress the hair on the back of his neck. I have no claim to him but
I still want to break her fingers. Declan startles a bit and turns
quickly to see who’s touching him. I’m finding it difficult to hide
my malicious laugh, but somehow I manage. It’s obvious that he
doesn’t want her doing that any more than I do.
    “ What do you want to drink
tonight, Dec?” I ask as he deftly removes her hand from his
neck.
    “ Declan and I will have two Sierra Nevada’s,” Rachel
states boldly, still standing behind Dec.
    “ I believe I asked Declan, and he’s
perfectly capable of answering for himself, don’t you think?” Oh,
I’m so pissed.
    Declan starts to say something, but Rachel
isn’t smart enough to shut up.
    “ Well, I’m the one that
answered you,” she says in the snottiest tone I think I’ve ever
heard, “so, if you don’t mind, we’ll take our beers now.” Her face
is turning red and I’m pretty sure she just stomped her hooker heel
on the ground.
    I notice the other guys
laughing under their breath and Rachel’s friend is looking a little
worried. So I open my mouth. “Maybe it’d be a good idea for you to
shut your slut hole and do what you do best…stand there and try to
look pretty while you hope Declan notices you.” I never ever should
have said that, but as soon as my lips parted, I just couldn’t hold
it in. My hands tightly grip the edge of the bar while I stare her
down.