Roll For Initiative

72. Cassie

I ’ve only been in a limo a handful of times, but every time, I am still taken aback by how beautiful and spacious they are on the inside. On the seat is a black velvet box. Oh God, it better not be another collar. As the boys get in and look at me, I’m staring daggers at Jayme. He surrenders, holding up his hands as if he knows what I was thinking.

"Chill, Cass, it’s not a collar. Just open it.

Inside the box is two black silk blindfolds.

"One for you and one for Lucian. Can’t let you see where we are going and ruin the surprise now, can I?" Jayme explains.

I shrug at Lucian and put it on. I’m assuming he does the same because Jayme claps his hands together.

"All right, let the fun begin. Gino, we are ready to go." Gino is one of Mr. Sniders most trusted drivers. Jayme occasionally hires him to be his driver when he is in town, though.

The car turns and turns. I can’t seem to follow where it is going. I’m about to ask how much longer it will take when the limo suddenly stops.

"Okay, we are here. There is still no peeking. Lucian, I’ll take you in first, then I’ll come back for you, Cassie." I feel Lucian squeeze my hand.

"See you in there." He exits the limo, and I’m left in silence. I don’t like being alone nowadays. The silence is deafening, making my stomach turn, but Jayme is only gone for less than a minute.

"No worries, sweetheart. I didn’t go for long." Thankfully, he understands. He takes my hands and helps guide me out of the car and up the steps to the door. "Okay, you can take off your blindfold now."

"SURPRISE!" People are shouting from every direction. We are at Papa Pepperonis.

"I rented the whole place out for tonight," Jayme says, putting a hand on my shoulder. I look out over my friends and family. Even Madam Odette and Mr. and Mrs. Snider are here.

"What’s going on?" I smile and laugh.

"Your birthday is in 2 weeks, silly. And I can’t make it back for that, so I decided to throw you a surprise party. All with the help of your amazing friend, Ash." He tips his head to her and winks.

They have been awfully weird around each other ever since I was in the hospital. They will be all sweet and flirty until they realize someone is watching. Then they go back to acting like they can’t stand each other. They think they are so sly.

"Thank you. Wait, why did Lucian have to be blindfolded?" I ask.

"Oh, because Lucian sucks at keeping secrets, especially from you. So he knew nothing of this night other than to dress fancy and be ready by 6."

I laugh. He isn’t wrong. Lucian sucks at keeping secrets. He can’t lie to save his life. I turn and give Jayme a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"D'awe. Don’t make me blush, sweetheart. Now go have fun." Lucian takes my hand, and we head over to greet everyone. Damn, I can’t believe they organized all this.

"Are you surprised? " Ash asks, hugging me.

"Of course. I can’t believe you guys did this. Thank you. It means a lot to finally be out and about again.

"No problem, bestie! I’ve missed you. When are we going to do another D&D night?" She addresses Lucian on that one.

"Well, I adjusted that campaign a little bit, so maybe in two weeks, just before we leave. We can do it for Cassie’s birthday if you guys want. Make a whole night of it. And after, we can continue it on Discord like before." Lucian answers. It's just over two weeks until we head to California and start our new life. The doctor said I would be OK to travel by then.

"I can’t believe you guys are moving. What am I supposed to do?" She pouts.

"Move to California with us?" I tease. She glances at Jayme.

"Nope, too close to dickhead over there.” She sticks her tongue out at him when he glances over. He laughs, shaking his head as he returns to his conversation with Odette.

"Yeah, sure.” I laugh. She couldn’t be more obvious that she likes him.

"Ok, time for presents." She claps her hands together, and we walk around the corner. There is a large table at least 10 feet long filled with gifts. Lucian presses against my back and wraps his arms around my middle, nuzzling his face into my neck.

"Are you having fun? Look at all the gifts that people have brought for you. You deserve to be spoiled." He kisses my neck just below my ear, and my body explodes in goosebumps. Sunny runs up to me with a big box in his hands.

"Here, open this first. It’s from me." He is grinning ear to ear. I gently shake the box. I love trying to guess what it is before I open it, but, for the life of me, I can't figure it out. I set it on the table and rip open the paper.

"It’s a margarita machine!!!!!" Sunny screeches.

"Oh my God, I love it! Thank you, Sunny." I’m going to miss my margarita nights with them.

"Me next. Me next!" Ash shoves a small box toward me.

"Ash, are you proposing to me?" I wink.

"Just open it, you nerd." Inside is a custom necklace with a hollowed-out metal D20. Inside is a cube with pictures of us on it. My eyes brim with tears.

"Ash, this is beautiful. How the heck did you find something like this?"

"I had it custom-made. I met someone at Nat20 who makes D&D-based jewelry. It’s so cool, right? Now, I’ll always be with you." I hug her tightly. I’m going to miss her, but maybe one day, she will move out to California, and then Sunny will have to follow.

"Wow, that’s cool, Ash. Nice job." Lucian commends her.

I spent the rest of the evening drinking, opening gifts, and enjoying being surrounded by friends and family. Nothing could have made this night better.