"Man, Ryan's really laying on the romance! He's not here, but he's pulling out all the stops!"
"For real, Hannah, it's been seven years and you two are still acting like lovesick teens. Spill the beans, will you?"
"You've gotta ring Ryan up! With this setup, he's got to be part of blowing out the candles, even if it's just over the phone!"
They were all pushing for me to call him.
The phone just rang out, no answer.
They urged me to try again, but I smiled and said, "He's overseas on business. Busy, plus there's the time difference. Let's not bug him."
They kidded me about being too understanding about his busy schedule.
But that wasn't the real deal.
I knew he wouldn't answer.
Just before, I caught a video posted by Sherry Zimmer on social media, showing a happy family trio on a beach holiday.
Sherry had briefly interned at Ryan's firm.
Her post read: [Jeremy's dad insisted we all tag along on his business trip. Looks like I'm coming too!]
Though she framed it as a hassle, her joy was palpable.
In the clip, Ryan was fussing with a sandcastle. When the toddler threw a tantrum, he scooped him up, both faces beaming, smiles competing with the sun's glare.