Chapter66: The Girl With the Happy Birthday

*Roxy* The scent of bubbling berry cobbler fills the kitchen, sweet and sharp. Hanna hums quietly as she carefully folds the last edge of pastry into place. Her curls are pinned up already, copper strands shining in the afternoon light that filters through the window. I stand beside her wearing an  apron, my cheeks dusted with flour, doing my best not to burn the crust on our third tray. “Careful with that one,” Hanna says, nudging my side with her elbow. “That’s the one we’re setting out first. It needs to be pretty.” I glance down at the berries tucked beneath the crust. “No pressure or anything.” She grins. “No pressure. Just the entire pack judging your baking skills on your twenty-first birthday.” I laugh then catch myself. “It’s still strange,” I say softly. “Being excited. I didn’t think I’d feel like this.” “Like what?” “Safe. Celebrated.” I glance at her. “Happy.” Hanna’s eyes soften. “You deserve all three.” We leave the cobblers to cool and head to the bedroom where our dres