“What kind of restaurant do they have?” She already knew. Valerie had told her so much about the Moreno’s. But she was shooting for a safer subject. One she couldn’t goof.

He shook his head wiping off his mouth. “A Mexican restaurant. It’s just off La Jolla Boulevard. I’ll take you there when we have more time.”

He finished his sandwich and wrapped up the trash in the plastic bag it all came in. He looked at Sarah’s sandwich. She’d only eaten half.

“I thought you were starving?

She looked down at her sandwich “I eat slowly.” She lost her appetite after her stupid declaration, but she lied just so they could get off the subject. It’d worked, so far.

Angel propped himself back on his elbows and looked at her curiously. “So.”

Sarah braced herself, shoving a small piece of sandwich in her mouth.

“You said your birthday is in the winter, what day exactly?”

Thank God. She washed down her food with a soda and looked at him. “January first. I’m a New Year’s baby.”

“Really?” Angel's eyebrows went up. “We’re only a few weeks apart then. My birthday is December 20th.”

“Really?” Without thinking she let out an upset, “Oh, shit!”

She saw the confused look on Angel’s face. “I’m sorry that just reminded me of something,” she explained. “Today’s Sydney’s birthday. We talked so long this morning and I never even said happy birthday. I feel terrible.”

Angel shrugged. “So, call her back.” He pulled his cell phone off the clip of his pants and handed it to her. “Here, the reception up here is pretty good.”

“No,” she said, a little too hastily. “I can call when I get home.” No way was she going to use his phone to call Sydney. She didn’t want Sydney’s number in any way programmed in Angel’s phone.

“Go ahead.” He held the phone in front of her “I don’t mind, really. If she’s upset at all that you forgot she’ll be happier you called back sooner than later.”

Her, She, Sarah felt her stomach churn. She’d never been a liar in her life and she’d reasoned earlier that this wasn’t lying. She never actually said Syd was a girl, but now this was beginning to feel like one big hairy lie. She should tell him. She really should, but she couldn’t. Not now. There would be a better time.

“You’re right.” She picked up her purse. “But I’ll use my phone. The number is already programmed in there.” She quickly pulled her phone out. She looked at him and gulped as she dialed the number. She was glad he was sitting across from her and not next to her; he might hear Sydney’s voice. Even so, she backed up a little pretending to rid herself of crumbs as she listened to the ringing.

“Lynni?”

Hearing Sydney’s voice only made her tenser. She pressed the phone closer to her ear making absolutely sure Angel wouldn’t hear him. The smile on Angel’s face made her sound even more remorseful when she spoke.

“Sydney,” she frowned, “I’m so sorry I forgot to say happy birthday to you this morning.”

She could hear Sydney chuckle. “Don’t worry about it,” he said. “I hadn’t even remembered until I came in the kitchen and my mom had it all decked out with balloons and what not. We had quite a feast this morning.”

“Oh.” She was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. Sydney’s parents had always been that way. Even with her. She remembered a couple of years back when her mom had gone to Vegas for New Year’s, leaving her with the Maricopa’s. They’d celebrated New Year’s Eve eating pizza, playing dominoes for money, and watching horror movies. Then on New Year’s Day, Frances Maricopa, Sydney’s mom, surprised her by getting up early to make a huge feast of pancakes, bacon, sausages, eggs, and delicious home made croissants. She’d even decorated with streamers and balloons all around the breakfast nook. All of it, just for Sarah. She’d never felt so special. She’d cried the whole time they sang Happy Birthday. Even now, she felt tears flood her eyes.

She looked up at Angel. He was watching her curiously. She realized he hadn’t taken his eyes off her the whole time. She winked hard trying to regain her composure.

“Are you okay Lynni?”

“Yeah, yeah.” She cleared her throat, “I was just picturing it. It sounds wonderful Syd. I wish I could be there with you to help you celebrate.”

“You are here.” Sydney said, softly.

“What?”

“I got the slideshow you sent. I started to watch it but I kept getting choked up so I had to turn it off. I’ll try it again later.”

She felt herself warm up and smiled. “Yeah, you have to, it’s good.” she said. She looked up again at Angel to see he was still looking at her, he hadn’t flinched once. “Listen, I gotta go, but I’ll call you later and you can tell me how your day went okay?”

“I love you, Lynni.”

Her eyes still on Angel she couldn’t respond the way she wanted, and it clutched her heart. She’d told Sydney how much she loved him for years. It felt natural. She even told his parents she loved them, but she couldn’t do it now. Not in front of Angel. It was just a matter of time before he knew, and this would only make it harder to explain.

“Me too,” she whispered. “We’ll talk later okay?”