Chapter 367 Happy Birthday

Emilia’s POV

“Almost ready. There are still a few things to sort out.” I replied.

“And you’re going through with it?”

“I think so.”

“Well, look at you.” She gave my side a playful nip. “Getting yourself some serious power.”

I bumped her back and ran faster.

We stayed out until our legs ached and the sun sank behind the trees. By the time we shifted back and dressed, we were both out of breath and grinning.

“All right,” Lily said, pulling on a sock. “I take back every bad thing I’ve said about pack life.”

“I’ll remind you of that next time.”

I tossed her the other shoe.

“Come on. I need food.”

We found a small bistro in the city and ordered enough for at least four people.

Neither of us apologized.

Somewhere between the appetizers and our second round of drinks, Lily caught my eye. I couldn’t even remember what had set us off, but soon we were laughing again.

I’d needed this.

Sebastian was an ocean away, and I missed him. But Lily was here, stealing food from my plate and complaining about a man who apparently needed a written notice to recognize a birthday.

It was hard to be lonely with her around.

Later, I checked the time.

“Are you going home?”

She shook her head. “Scott has meetings and dinner plans all weekend. I’d just be sitting there alone. I’d rather stay with you.”

“Then we’ll have dinner later and find a karaoke place.”

“I get to pick the songs.”

“It’s your birthday. You can embarrass us however you like.”

“Deal.”

We left the restaurant arm in arm. For a few hours, it was almost like being back in college. No husbands, no pack business, and no reason to rush home.

We managed to stay out until nearly ten.

As we finally stopped to say goodbye, I glanced at her bag.

“Wait. Your phone hasn’t gone off all day.”

Lily looked at me.

“You know plenty of people,” I said. “Shouldn’t at least one friend or old classmate have sent you a birthday message by now?”

Lily’s POV

I pulled my phone from my pocket and groaned. “Damn it. It’s off.”

“All day?” Emilia raised an eyebrow.

“I forgot, okay?” I pressed the power button. The screen lit up, and notifications poured in as we walked.

“Missed calls?” Emilia asked.

“And a few texts,” I muttered, scrolling through them.

“Anything from Scott?” She smirked. Of course she couldn’t leave that alone.

I nearly said no, but then his name appeared on the screen. “One. There’s one.”

“See? He thought of you at least once today.” She looked far too pleased with herself.

“Once.” I waved her off and turned down my street. “But who’s counting? Go home, Emilia. Good night.”

The living room lights were on when I reached the apartment. I slipped off my shoes and looked around, but Scott wasn’t there. I went to his study and peeked through the gap in the door. There he was, reading a book as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.

A nerd. I’d married a nerd, and apparently, his book was better company than his wife on her birthday.

I marched into the bathroom and took a hot bath. It did very little for my mood. Every time I pictured him sitting there, completely unaware that it was my birthday, I wanted to throw his book out the window.

We met in the hallway when I came out. “Need the bathroom?” I asked, more sharply than I’d intended.

“Yeah.” He nodded, and I walked past him without another word.

I tightened my robe and dropped onto the couch. I flipped through the channels, but nothing held my attention. Then Scott called from the bathroom.

“Lily, can you get my phone?”

“Why do you need your phone in the shower?” I called back, scowling at the television.

“I’m expecting an important call. It’s in my desk drawer. Please.”

“You’re impossible.” Still, I got up and went to his study.

I pulled open the first drawer. No phone. The second was no better, but when I opened the third, my hand stopped on the handle.

A small, neatly wrapped box sat inside, with a card on top. Two words were written on it: Happy birthday.

Just like that, I wasn’t angry anymore. I grabbed the box and opened it before I could stop myself. Inside was a ring that sparkled under the desk lamp.

My heart gave a quick thump. He’d never given me a ring, not even when we got married. People at work had been betting on how long it would take us to split up, and now he’d bought me this.

I slipped it onto my finger and rose onto my toes. “It’s gorgeous. And it fits!” I held up my hand, then dropped into his chair, laughing to myself.

“Do you like it?”

I turned toward the door. Scott stood there with damp hair and a small smile, watching me. I jumped up and threw my arms around his neck.

“I love it. I love it so much.” I squeezed him tighter. “I really do.”

He stumbled back a step. “Could you let go for a second? I can’t breathe.”

I released him and looked down, my cheeks hot. So much for playing it cool. Then I caught sight of his hand.

He was wearing a wedding band that matched mine. I looked from his ring to my own, and my chest warmed. He’d bought one for each of us.

We were already married, but this made it feel real in a way it hadn’t before. I wasn’t just his wife on paper anymore. He was wearing the proof, too.

I threw my arms around him again, then jumped and wrapped my legs around his waist. He caught me, and I held on tighter. This time, he wasn’t getting away.

“Lily…” He barely got my name out before I kissed him.

For a second, he went still. Finally, I’d managed to catch him off guard. Then his arms tightened around me, and he kissed me back, slowly at first, until I pressed closer and he stopped being so careful.

He carried me to the wall, and a soft sound escaped me as my back touched it. His hand slid into my hair and tilted my head, deepening the kiss.

“You forgot my birthday,” I murmured against his mouth.

“I didn’t forget a thing,” he said softly, and my heart beat faster.

Finally, I had a ring to go with my title. I was his wife, and now he was starting to act like my husband. As for everything else, well, we had time.