Unexpected Love

The Night of the Birthday

Belle's POV

"So did you guys kiss? Tell me everything!" I say trying to get her to spill everything to me!

"No! We didn't kiss, who do you think I am? All we did was talk, promise." Emma says holding her pinky out.

"I brought this for you to wear tonight, but now you have a date I may have to rethink my plan." I tell her.

"Date? You are the one who invited them, you are the one who probably came up with the idea of leaving us alone while I was in the bathroom changing. I just wanted a simple birthday with my best friend. I didn't want you to go overboard because we are doing the big end of summer bash next month with everyone from college. So please don't say the word date again." Emma pouted.

"Em, fine it isn't a date, but it isn't like I knew three great looking men were going to be here all weekend. Relax, let it happen, if he likes you and you like him it's ok. You have a great job, and you are out of school. You can focus on you. I mean you are 27, how much longer are you going to say it isn't the right time? Just because you talk to a guy doesn't mean you have to have his kid tomorrow." I say trying to cheer her up.

Emma is a great person, but she always let her work and school get in the way of her personal life.

I'm doing her makeup, and her phone goes off, she picks it up, and smiles. "Who's that?" I ask.

"Aren't you nosey? It is a birthday text."

"That smile says it is more than just a birthday text. We didn't just meet yesterday."

"Fine, you win, it was Ryan asking if we were ready."

"You have his number? I said to spill, and you said you talked, now you have his number?"

She responds by laughing.

"Emma I'm so happy for you, you gave out your number, and you smile when he text you." I give her a big hug.

"What did you tell him?"

"I said we would be ready by 6:45. So we still have half an hour."

"Ok, put these shoes on." I hand her a small 3 inch gray heel to go with the skirt she has on. It comes up 3 inches above the knee, and she has on a yellow crop top. 

"Give me your phone."

"Why?"

"We need everyone to see how good you make 27 look."

"Fine" she hands me the phone. 

I take a couple photos, post it to her i********: and snap stories. Then I send one to Ryan. 

Like what you see?-Emma-

I hand it back to her with i********: open. It's better that way.

Emma's POV

My phone goes off, and it is a text from Ryan. Didn't I tell him to meet us at 6:45?

Looking forward to dinner, and you look hot, can't wait babe.-Ryan-

Thank you. See you soon. -Emma-

Photo message. I open it, and it is him. When I go to respond I see I sent one to him.

"Isabella! I'm going to hurt you."

"What did I do?"

"My phone, a photo of me."

"I just posted on i********: and snap stories."

"And…."

She says nothing, but then I didn't give her much time.

"Ryan?"

"Oh yeah, I may have sent him one too!" She says with a smile.

All of a sudden there is a knock.

"I'm glad you didn't give them a key as well." I huff at her.

"Hey guys, we are just finishing up. Come in. We will be ready in a couple more minutes." I say as I move out of the way for them to come into the room.

After Belle grabs her shoes, and we grab our bags we head downstairs to the steakhouse.

The host greets us, and luckily there isn't a wait. "A table for 5? Follow me." She says with a pleasant smile. She shows us our table and tells us the specials for food and wine.

The server comes over and we tell her our drink order and we get a couple appetizers. When she comes back with our drinks we all cheer to the birthday couple. It was so hard not to blush. We aren't even a couple. We place our orders. The five of us sat there and drank and talked for a while. After everything was boxed up and plates were taken she asked about checks. Belle and I have a deal, we do one check, and then just pay the other back whenever, or buy dinner next time. Before I could say anything Ryan says that we are on one, then Scott pays for Belle. I hate when people pay for me. I offered to pay him back but he refused. After everyone paid, we went into the casino. I could tell I was letting guard down, so I put it back up. Just in time too. Ryan came over and grabbed my hand. 

"Belle, can you please come with me. I need someone to hold my bag." We leave the guys and go to the bathroom.

"How long do you think they will wait till they get bored and just leave?" I ask with a smile and wink.

"Emma, is that why we are in here? To hide from them? She looks annoyed at me.

"No, I have to go, but Ryan paid for my dinner, then he tried to hold my hand. I need you to promise, no matter what, you and I end up in our room."

"Stop over thinking. You'll be fine. Just have fun. Once we get out of here we will go get you a drink."

"I need you to promise me."

"Yes, I promise, I'll make sure the hot guy doesn't try to sleep with you." She says with a smirk.

We walk out, and there are the guys, waiting for us right outside.

"What were you ladies talking about?" Scott asked.

"Just girl stuff." Belle replied. "We want a drink."

We make our way to the bar, and Ryan goes to get our drinks. It is crowded, so we sit down at a table. I look up to see the bartender flirting with him. I just look back down at my lap. I guess that was code for Belle to look up. She whispered something to Scott. He then gets up, and makes his way to the bar, and Ryan comes back with three drinks. 

"I hear my girl is jealous." Ryan says to me while taking a drink.

"Are you talking to me?" I ask him almost confused

"You sent Scott to stop the bartender from talking to me." He says with a grin.

"What did I miss?" I asked.

"Scott comes to the bar and says, your girl wants her drink fresh not watered down." As I turn around, he says you are jealous.

"Well he is right, a drink is no good watered down, but I didn't say anything about being jealous, and I'm not your girl. You can talk to anyone you want." I said matter of factly.

I will never admit, but I was jealous when I saw them flirting, but he doesn't need to know that.

We all finish our drinks, and Belle and I decided we would buy the next round. We go to the bar and buy 5 more drinks. This time we didn't stay in the bar, we walked around. The guys played roulette, while we stood back and watched. We finally got our way and played blackjack. After a while we all went back to the hotel. They were staying on the 12th floor, so they got off before us. As we were getting ready for bed my phone went off. Belle grabs it. She reads a text.

Hey, want to go hang out at the pool and talk? -Ryan

I take my phone and look at Belle.

"Fine I'll go, but he better bring the guys, I'm not being no third wheel." She huffs.

That sounds like fun, see you soon. -Emma

After we change and get to the pool we beat them. Then Ryan walks in by himself. I get nervous, I know she will leave.

"Where are the other two?" I ask.

"Oh, I didn't invite them. I'll text them now and have them come down." He says quickly.

We all 5 get in the hot tub, and I notice that I'm very close to Ryan, not that he seems to care. We all just talked, it wasn't awkward at all. I end up laying my head on his shoulder. After about 30 minutes Belle says "I guess I should get her to bed. Sorry, after she drinks she gets very tired, should have warned you."

"Do you need help?" He asked, picking me up out of the water.

"Emma, can you walk?" I hear Belle's voice.

I kick my feet, and say no, I'm half asleep and I'm being held bridal style.

"I'll carry my girl, okay babe."

We make it to the room and I hear Belle tell everyone good night.

"Come on spoiled brat, let's get you out of these wet clothes." 

I don't move.

"I'll call Ryan and have him do it." She threatened

"I'm here, what?" I jump up.

"We need to get you changed for bed."

"Good night and Happy birthday."

"Good night."