Page 21 of Bliss: Part 2
“Yeah. But last time…” He stopped, unable to finish.
“Last time, you weren’t there. I fainted, and he took advantage. It’s going to take me time to accept that and move on. But it wasn’t your fault. Or anyone’s. I don’t want you to think it was.”
He studied my face, his hand still holding mine. “You’re so fucking special, Bliss. I hope you know that.”
“I do,” I said quietly. “Because of you guys.”
They made me feel loved every day. They were the reason I could get through this without falling apart completely. It still hurt, but the hurt was bearable because of them.
Rhys leaned in and pressed a kiss to my shoulder. His lips lingered there before he looked at me again. “I love you, Lissy. So fucking much.”
“I love you too.”
After I dried off from the swim and pulled on a pair of soft shorts and a loose shirt, I stepped back toward the lakeshore.
Dad was standing near the tables, a faint grin pulling at his mouth. “We’ve got one last surprise for you,” he said.
I gave him a look, already feeling full from everything they’d done today. “Another one?” My voice was part laugh, part disbelief.
“Last one, we promise,” Tripp said, winking at me.
I folded my arms, smiling despite myself. “Well…what is it?”
“Look over there,” Ashby said, pointing toward the house.
I followed his hand and saw Odin’s back first. He was walking slowly, careful with his steps. Then he shifted to the side, and my breath caught.
Between him and Tia was a massive three-tiered cake, balanced between their hands. Dozens of candles covered the top, and the light blue layers were decorated with glitter and dark blue swirls of frosting.
“Oh my god…” I whispered. “You got me an actual birthday cake?”
“Technically, Tia and Tyler got it for you,” Ashby said with a grin.
I couldn’t stop staring. They were still halfway across the grass when they started singing “Happy Birthday” to me.
My eyes blurred, and I realized I was already crying.
They reached the table and set the cake down gently. Dash nudged me from behind, urging me closer. When the song ended, they clapped and cheered, making it feel like I had accomplished something big instead of simply having a birthday.
“Make a wish!” Tia said, her face glowing.
I stood there for a moment, taking them all in. Their damp hair, bare feet, sunburned shoulders, and wide smiles. My heart felt too big for my chest. How did I get this? How did I deserve this? Some would say it wasn’t much, but to me, it was a whole damn lot.
I closed my eyes, thinking hard about my wish.
Most people used wishes to ask for something they didn’t have. But I already had everything I needed. A family who loved me. Men who would protect me without hesitation. A friend who had gone out of her way to see me happy.
When I blew out the candles, my wish wasn’t for me. It was for all of them, to always get the best this life could give.
I opened my eyes to the sound of their continuous cheering, and for a moment I believed the wish was already coming true.
Thirty-Seven
Owen
There were still ten days left before we openedThe Oldagain. But as excited as I was to go back to work, I couldn’t think about it too much. Not today.
Today was the day I’d been waiting for, even if part of me dreaded it. Earlier this morning, my phone rang. Officer Holloway was on the other end, asking if I had time to come down to the station. I knew right away what it was about.
