This story takes place just after the events in "A Favor for Her Friend"
########
Monday after the big presentation, the professor posted the group's grade, an "A+". Lori was the first one to see this and began spreading the word to the rest of the group through text messages. This came as great news to all the group members as an A+ on this assignment practically assured no one would fail the course and that most of them would get an A or B as a final grade.
Phones among the group members started lighting up as text messages went back-and-forth. Different girls chimed in with congratulations for all the hard work. Some pointed out specific tasks that led to their achievement and praised the individuals who had completed them. All were ecstatic. Somewhere along the way, Lori pitched the idea of a celebration. This was quickly seconded and soon all began proposing locations and days. All wanted to do it soon while they were still riding the emotional wave of their achievement. As the texts continued bouncing around, it began to appear Tuesday evening was the most logical time and the same bar where the boyfriends and guy had been introduced to the group seemed the most practical place.
One of the group tried desperately to get the rest to consider an alternate night. Denae was hoping to have Tuesday night just for Bill. It was his 22nd birthday, his first birthday since they had met. With all the demands of the project preparation, she had not had time to get him a present, so she had hoped to have a quiet evening with him that would include her getting dressed up, making him his favorite dinner and then slipping off to bed.
Tuesday, however, was the best night for the rest of the classmates. So, Denae now faced a dilemma; she could skip the celebration or skip spending Bill's birthday with him. After a few moments, she texted the group and informed them that she would need to bow out of the party in order to spend Bill's birthday with him.
After a few seconds, a solitary text from Lori appeared which read, "bring Bill for a few. Then cut out."
Denae pondered this and then decided she would pitch the idea to Bill. It would still allow her to bask in the glory with her classmates, and it would also allow her to spend Bill's birthday with him. Though this scenario would eliminate the possibility of her making dinner for him, she hoped he would be open to it.
Denae called Bill around noon.
"Whatcha doin, Bill?"
"Just thinking about my girlfriend."
"Yeah? What were you thinking?"
"How I would love to give her a good tongue lashing right about now."
This made Denae take a quick breath. She loved the way Bill was able to use his tongue on her.
"I'll bet she would really like that too. But listen, here's why I called. I had some plans in the works for Tuesday evening for my birthday boy."
"Cool. I know the last one was supposed to be the big one until 40, but we weren't together last year, so I'm really looking forward to this one."
Denae deflated a little, but decided to press on.
"Could we add one tiny, little thing to my plans?" She did not tell him she was about to propose changing virtually all of her plans.
"I don't see why not? Whatcha got in mind?"
"Well, we got an A+ on the project."
Bill interrupted, "Hey, that's great. Although with the lengths y'all went to, I don't see how the professor could've given you anything less."
"Thanks. The only thing is now the girls want to celebrate and the only night that works is Tuesday."
"Oh. So, you're wanting to go to the celebration instead?" he asked, sounding a little disappointed.
"No. There is absolutely no way I'm missing your birthday. I was just wondering if we might do both - or at least hit the party for a little bit before we go off on our own to celebrate properly and privately."
"We go?? Uh. Denae I can't face those girls after having been through the presentation."
"What? Why not? They were all fine with you being there for the presentation and they're all fine with you showing up tomorrow night as well. It's not a big deal."
"Nah. I'll tell you what. Why don't you go celebrate with them and then come over to my place after?"
"Look, I know its your birthday and the evening should be about you. And it will, but after we have just one or two drinks with the others. I promise, I will still give you an evening to remember, but please just make a small sacrifice for me first."
There was no way Bill could resist that. He would never want Denae to have any reason to believe she did not come first with him. Secretly, he was still a little afraid she would wise up at any minute and realize she could do much better than him, despite all the months and moments they had shared together.
"OK. Since you put it that way, I'll go with you. But just for a few minutes. I just have no idea how I can talk to any of those girls after seeing them naked."
"Thank you. I promise, you'll be fine. Really, you're the only one who thinks that is a big deal. Besides, I'll be there and can act as a buffer. Have a couple of beers and we'll excuse ourselves and let the real party begin."
Having succeeded in re-arranging Tuesday night, Denae now had another dilemma. Since going to the victory party would keep her from making dinner, she was left without a gift for Bill. As she walked to class, an idea struck her. There was a gift she could try to get for Bill; something she knew he had wanted for a long time, but it would mean calling in a favor.
####
On Tuesday, Bill received several Happy Birthday texts and emails throughout the day. He had birthday phone calls from his mother and from his girlfriend. His day was going well and he was looking forward to the evening for the most part. The plan was for Denae to pick Bill up at his apartment; they would go together to the bar for part of the victory celebration; then they would go back to Denae's apartment for presents and cake.