Chapter 52

**Angela’s POV**

The storm had come to a halt for two weeks and Brad, Harvey and I were enjoying the blissful gift of warm, dry skies. I had assimilated back into my old job to find that not much changed since I left. This gave me some comfort.

Harvey was increasingly more at ease and so was Brad. He was coming to accept having his mother back into his life. And soon he came to realize that both their lives were better with each other’s presence.

“Hey.” I spun around from setting the table and saw Brad, the tie at his neck pulled loose and his hair was ruffled. It was quite a sight.

“What happened? Had to walk through a storm to get here?” I teased.

He rolled his eyes playfully and strode purposely towards me. My entire body heated and my heart was like a siren, I swore it would attract the attention of people miles away.

He bent his lips to mine teasingly, our breaths meshing until he kissed me lazily, the sensuality of the kiss hiking my heart rate to dangerous levels.

He broke away from me and a deliberate, sly smile curved his lips.

“To answer your question, I actually fell asleep on my desk. And let me just say that it was the most uncomfortable experience.” He replied good-naturedly and I laughed.

“You fell asleep?” It was hilarious, Brad falling asleep at work? Was I the only one who saw the irony in that?

He laughed, a low chuckle reverberating deep in his chest and a sweet fire licked through me.

“I guess I was really worn out from last night.” His voice lowered seductively and I blushed.

“Why don’t you go freshen up for dinner? I will still be a while.” I encouraged, darkness glimmered in his eyes and he leaned toward me.

“Why don’t you come help me?” His words in no way a question and boy was I tempted. My lips parted, probably to agree when the timer on the oven chimed and I snapped back into reality.

I gave him a look and an understanding passed between us. “Then I expect to be reimbursed later.” He warned in a teasingly demanding voice and I couldn’t contain my laughter.

When he was half way up the stairs I shouted. “And bring Harvey down when you’re finished.” To which he responded simply by saying. “Okay.”

I finished setting up and as I was finished, both Harvey and Brad made their way down. Both smiling at something they were discussing.

“Hey.” I greeted him as he passed by me to find his seat at the table. After they were seated I brought out a cake and set it in the middle of the table.

“What do you think of it?” I asked Harvey. A usual question whenever I made something for dessert. He looked at it and smiled. “It’s awesome.” He replied and I was sure my smile stretched ear from ear.

“Well, it’s yours,” I confessed and he gazed at me as if I had lost my mind.

“Mine?” The word dragged in an evident question.

“Tomorrow is your birthday isn’t it?” I clarified and he smiled.

“You baked me a cake?” He asked incredulously. “Of course I did!” I responded.

“And we also got you something as a pre-birthday gift.” Brad joined in and Harvey shifted to allow the image of Brad into his line of sight.

I picked up a box that I had placed out of sight and gave it to him. He looked at it skeptically and cautiously ripped the gift paper shrouding it. His eyes blanked and he looked at us. “You bought me a laptop.” His voice was small and I detected a tinge of excitement.

“For your personal use,” I commented and he rose from his seat and embraced me and then Brad.

“Thanks! Although with the allowance you give me I am pretty sure I could’ve bought it for myself, you shouldn’t have done this.” He complained and I playfully pulled his ear lobes.

“We are allowed to get you stuff. Besides, there is also another surprise.” I blurted excitedly.

“There is?” Harvey choked out and I nodded.

“But first—“ Brad interrupted. “Let’s have dinner. You just sit and anticipate what it is.” He directed at Harvey.

Dinner was at an end and I was busy clearing the table. “Harvey your grandmother asked if she could take you out tomorrow for your birthday.” Brad introduced, rather dryly. I guess some habits never change.

“Really? That would be great but I have school.” His voice lowered as the sentence concluded.

“That’s not a problem I called your school and got you the day off.” Brad replied non-committedly.

“Cool.” Harvey responded and I smiled at how his language use had changed after some time.

“And I also got Ethan a day off so he will be going with you guys,” I announced and I could feel the joy radiating from him. In the short time, he knew Ethan they had become best friends and were nearly inseparable.

I interrupted the mystifying atmosphere. “Now it’s time for the next surprise.” I walked out of the room and returned with a cuddled ball of black and white fur.

Harvey vacated his seat and rushed over to me. “No way!” He looked at the sleeping puppy cuddled in my arms.

“Way.” I responded and Brad laughed at the way the word rolled of my tongue. I handed Harvey the puppy and he gently stroked it.

“You get to name him and he is your responsibility.” Brad came to stand abreast me, his arm snaking around my waist. Normally I would drip crimson, but I had come accustomed to him taking such harmless privileges.

“Awesome.” Harvey muttered, he was obviously excited yet he still hadn’t lost the dryness in which he said most of his words. He embraced me again and muttered his thanks.