The CEO’s Bed Toy

It was finally my 26th birthday. One I had been anticipating for months.

I'd picked the venue three weeks in advance. A small, cozy rooftop restaurant tucked between two high-rise buildings in downtown Manhattan.. classy but not loud.

There was a three- tier vanilla cake with gold accents sitting at the edge of the buffet table, like it knew something magical was supposed to happen tonight.

And maybe it was. At least, I thought so.

I smoothed my palm over my emerald -green satin dress and let out a breath, trying to ignore the pounding in my chest.

From across the room, a few colleagues from college were raising glasses. Everyone was talking, laughing, nibbling on hors d’ oeuvres. It was perfect. Almost.

Except Troy wasn't here.

I glanced at the entrance for what must have been the sixth time in ten minutes, heart doing a hopeful little flip every time someone walked in.

He had promised a surprise.

Told me to “just trust him” with this dreamy, secretive smile two nights ago when I asked what his plans were. I hadn't pushed.. I wanted to believe he was finally stepping up.

Maybe a necklace, or that weekend trip to Maine I’d been hinting at for months.

Or hell, even just flowers and a damn speech.

This dinner mattered. He knew it.

But now, my stomach was tightening, and not in the good way. I checked my phone.. again. Still no message. No missed call.

Instead, a text popped up from Eliza.

LIZA :

Stuck in traffic again. God, NY sucks. Be there in ten. How’s it going, birthday queen?

I smiled a little. Eliza had been my rock for the last five years.. well since I lost my parents in that car crash.. loud, brutally honest, and always ready with lip gloss and damage control.

Her running late wasn't new. But at least she’d shown up, even if just digitally.

I texted her back quickly.

ME:

Waiting on Troy. You won’t believe this.. he’s not here yet.

Her typing bubbles appeared, then disappeared. Reappeared. Then she replied:

LIZA :

Seriously? Didn't he promise fireworks or some weird big thing?

I sighed. Exactly.

The waiter passed by with a tray of sparkling rosé. I grabbed a glass, more for something to do than because I actually wanted it. It was getting harder to smile now.

I could feel people starting to notice. Even my manager had come up earlier and said something like, “You must be so proud of him.. planning this all by himself!” And I’d just nodded like a fool.

My phone lit up again. Not Troy.

Another guest. “Happy birthday, Sasha ! This is amazing!”

“Thanks,” I said, voice flat.

I dialed him again. Straight to voicemail. I texted.

Hey. Everything okay? Everyone’s here… Where are you?

No read receipts.

I stared at my phone until the screen dimmed.

Then.. the mic screeched a little, followed by a cheerful voice from the host.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank