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“I don’t know; maybe it’s Adalynn Can you hand me my phone, please?”

Ian walked over to the dresser and picked it up He looked at it and then stopped and stared at me

“What? Who’s it fro you a happy birthday Is today your birthday, Rory?” he asked sternly

I looked down at the sheet that I had covering my brsts “Yes”

“For fk’s sake, why didn’t you tellat ot out of bed “What did you want o celebratefrom the floor and put it on

“Yes, you should have told me!” he spat

“Why? What difference would it have ed since I was ten years old!” I hollered as I put my bra on

Ian walked over and took a hold of my arm He spuntoat you It’s just that we spent this tiether and to find out from a text that it’s your birthday, it upset me”

I broke our eotten used todeal, Ian So, please, drop it”

“The hell I will It’s your birthday and I always helpto celebrate tonight, okay?” He ser downat er on my skin ht Now, if you’ll excuseready”

Ian smiled and turned to walk out of the room “Oh, by the way,” I said “Do you think that we could stop at the store on the way home so I can pick up an iPod for Stephen?”

“We sure can” He winked

I read e from Jordyn and responded

“Thank you, and how did you knoas my birthday?”

“It’s on your application When I saw the date, I put it in my calendar on my phone Do you have plans today?”

“Actually, Ian and I are doing soood Ollie and I want to take you out to celebrate How about toht ork”

“Great! We’ll figure so out and I’ll text you with the details”

“Thank you, Jordyn”

“Happy Birthday, Rory”

When I finished getting dressed, I went up on deck to find Ian leaning over the railing and staring out into the ocean He looked like he was in deep thought I didn’t want to disturb hi told me he didn’t want to be Don’t askI had I went back downstairs and popped a bagel in the toaster As I was in the refrigerator, getting the crea aret that for you It’s your birthday, after all”