UnEnchanted (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale #1)(52)

Mina was surprised when the restaurant door opened and Brody walked in. She thought he was going to wait and give her his present later that evening. Mina’s hand went to her hair in distress. She was wearing plaid pajama bottoms an overlarge red sweatshirt and her hair was in a sloppy ponytail. She wasn’t expecting anyone other than family.

Brody looked handsome as ever with a white button-up shirt, dark distressed jeans, probably his family’s own label, and black shoes. His hair touched the collar of his shirt and it looked like he hadn’t shaved in a few days. But the whole look was very pleasing to the eye. Mina immediately stepped behind Nan to hide her pajama shorts.

“Hey,” Mina called out, embarrassed.

“Hey you.” Brody smiled at her awkwardness and Mina immediately felt like an idiot. She knew that Brody didn’t really care what she wore.

She stepped closer and whispered, “What are you doing here? I didn’t think you...” She didn’t get to finish.

“Well I heard a rumor that you were having a birthday party this morning. I wonder why you would fail to mention that detail to me.” Brody looked past Mina to Nan.

Mina spun to look at Nan and glared at her. “Oh, I see, let me clarify. I bet a little birdy tweeted you the exact location and time of my birthday party.” Nan whistled and found one of the red and gold paper lanterns in the restaurant particularly interesting.

Brody turned to Mina and handed her a beautifully wrapped present. The paper was pristine white and a simple red velvet ribbon accented the box. Mina’s fingers shook as she pulled the ribbon and opened the lid to reveal a red LG phone.

“What? Brody, we can’t afford this?” Mina panicked and looked at her mother in surprise. Cell phone plans alone tended to be expensive and now you needed data and texting plans. “I can’t accept it.” She handed the box back to Brody who held up his hands and backed away.

“Can’t return it. Besides it’s been added to our plan with how many phones we have, it wasn’t anything for our family to add one more.” Brody had tried to make Mina feel less guilty but it was doing the opposite. She was feeling worse.

Mina looked toward her mother for help. Sara stepped forward. “Brody it’s a wonderful gift but I don’t know if I feel comfortable with your family paying for a cell phone for my daughter. Maybe next year we can afford one but not right now.”

“I understand Sara, and I wouldn’t normally offer this kind of gift, but I felt that you would understand the necessity of Mina being able to call us in case of an emergency. If she was ever in trouble or needed help, I would feel much safer if she had a cell phone to call for help. For my own peace of mind, and so I can sleep at night, I hope that you will let her keep the gift.” Brody was smooth and had almost won Sara over. She was about to counter again but he was too quick. “And by next year if you want to take over the plan we can arrange it.”

Sara seemed relieved and nodded her head in agreement. Mina felt a hint of panic and turned to Brody, worry etched in her face. “But what if we should…or you decide that you no longer…” Mina couldn’t even speak it. What if they broke up, would he take the phone away?

“It doesn’t matter, my offer still stands. Besides, I’ve already programed my cell number, your mother’s, and the fire department. I think you’re covered.” He took the red phone out of the box and handed it to Mina.

The phone felt light and delicate. Mina knew for sure that she was destined to drop it and break it into a thousand little pieces. How could she possibly not lose the device, unless she stapled it to her forehead?

“Well you seem to have missed one VERY important number.” Nan stepped forward and took the phone from Mina. “What? You programmed your number as 2. We will have to change that. After the emergency department should definitely be her BEST FRIEND.” Nan held the phone away from Brody as he tried to snatch it back from her. They both then visibly and audibly argued over who’s number should be 2 on the speed dial.

“Too late, mine's already there. You will have to take 4.”

“As if! You take 4. You’ve only known Mina a few weeks. I’ve been her best friend for two years, see…2. I should be 2.”

Mina looked at her mom and saw a slight grin. Maybe, just maybe everything would turn out alright.

Brody left shortly after he arm wrestled Nan and won, for the right to be the number 2 spot on her speed dial. By winning, he conceded to give Nan and Jared a ride to the dance as well, as a consolation prize. Brody gave Mina a small peck on the lips, whispered Happy Birthday to her and told her he would see her soon. That was eight hours ago.

Now Mina had only been wearing heels for an hour and already she was ready to kick them off and go in her bare feet. She could never understand women’s obsession with them. Sure they may make you look taller and thighs slimmer but was it worth it to have to limp around the whole night from blisters? Mina didn’t think so.

Just as she was about to find a pair of flip flops from her closet, Charlie started knocking on the glass and waving. Mina looked down into the street and was surprised to see a stretch SUV limo and a familiar blonde head poking out of the sun roof top. Nan was waving and the dark head of Jared appeared next to her, looking somber as ever.

From the angle of the window, Mina saw a limo door open and close and knew that Brody was on his way up the stairs.