Gladys agreed. “They did a good job, and secretly too!”
“You can say that again.” Ola agreed coming over to give her a hug. “So I have to repeat my happy birthday wishes. Thanks for being a great colleague and friend.”
“Thanks Ola. You‘re a wonderful friend. Congratulations to you too…”
Ola laughed and pulled Gladys along, “Gbenga, Onyinye and Akin from the office are here and your guess is as good as mine which of them helped the guys plan this.”
Gladys had her own suspicions but she just smiled as they joined the noisy set. There were over ten people including Ayo, Jennifer and her partner. Gladys good-naturedly accepted birthday wishes from them with Edward by her side.
*********
The party had ended on a very high note and now they were seated in his car outside her aunt‘s house. None of them wanted to be the first to say goodbye.
“Did I tell you how good you look in that top?”
“I like it too, it‘s a new one.” She straightened and smoothed it over her waist. It was a tank top with spaghetti straps and girly frills edging around the bottom. It hugged all the right places and accentuated her curvy shape. His eyes hooded in appreciation and he was glad he wore loose trousers rather than tight jeans. She‘d said red was her favorite color; this was a deep wine and suited her glowing creamy skin to a tee. His gaze glommed to her as she sprawled back.
He opened a canned beer they‘d taken from the restaurant and took a deep gulp.
“I watched the clips of get together for Bolaji‘s girlfriend, and you were by far the prettiest girl there.”
“Don‘t you think you‘re biased?” She held his gaze as she sipped from her drink.
Edward shook his head and watched her swallow. It was a struggle not to follow her rippling throat down into the shadowed cleavage molded into a pout by her bodice.
“Maybe it‘s time I go in if you‘re ready; tomorrow is another work day. Thanks so much for the birthday celebration and inviting my friends from church too.” She avoided his eyes and he guessed she was also feeling the heat of their mutual desire.
He only grunted, his hand reaching out to her of their volition. He snagged her waist and pulled her to him. He knew she would not want to start this but just couldn‘t stop himself. He was captivated by her shape and when he kissed her, he was lost. They couldn‘t do much here, but his whole body was practically aching for her and she kissed him back like he liked, passionately. She didn‘t turn her face away when he pulled away to look at her for a brief moment. When, he framed her features with his large palms, her eyelids drifted closed.