Chapter 412

The moment the words escaped Debra’s lips, she wished she could reel them back in. She’d seen the affection in Juan’s eyes, unchanged and unyielding. He’d gambled everything on her once, and she knew he’d do it again in a heartbeat.

“If you want, they’re all yours,” Juan said without hesitation.

“What if I’m not joking?”

“I’m not either.”

“Forget it. I’m tired of this game. What’s next?”

Debra marched toward the amusement park exit, leaving Juan stunned. She tossed over her shoulder, “Don’t tell me this is all you’ve got planned.”

Juan always had a backup plan. And with a grand gesture like renting out an entire amusement park, there had to be more. After all, he had even conquered his acrophobia.

“There’s more,” he said, following her. Whenever he tried to get closer, Debra would step forward just in time. The distance between them seemed unbridgeable, as insurmountable as that single step.

Across town, at Marion’s place, Randy catapulted off the couch. “You’re kidding me.”

Erica’s voice crackled through the phone. “I’m dead serious. Juan rented out the whole amusement park. Do you think he’d do that for nothing? It’s Debra’s birthday.”

“Damn! He’s pulling out all the stops,” Randy mumbled, hollering for Marion. “Marion, come out! Juan is trying to steal Debra away! Marion!”

He burst into Marion’s room, but no one was there.

“What’s going on? Where’s Marion?” Erica asked anxiously.

Randy scratched his head. “Beats me. He’s not here.”

“What? How is that possible? Check the bathroom.” Erica was confused.

Randy snorted. “No, he’s not hiding under the sink.”

He wondered if Marion had figured out Debra’s birthday and left early to prepare. He sighed, shifting gears. “Forget it. Plan B. I’ll book a restaurant. You figure out how to pry Debra away from Juan.”

“Got it.” Erica hung up.

Juan ushered Debra into a mall. After a lunch of her favorite dishes, they descended to the lobby. What had been an empty space was now a floral fantasia. A giant screen blazed “Happy Birthday, Debra.” Balloons bobbed among the blooms, and elegantly wrapped gifts teetered in a towering pile. Juan looked a bit unsure but led Debra to the center of the lobby.

“I didn’t know what you liked, so I prepared some gifts that girls usually like and had them wrapped.”

Debra’s eyes widened. She gestured to a sports car sporting a massive bow. “Is that part of the package?”

Juan rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly uncertain. “Maybe. Probably.”