“Birthday coffee for you,” Ivy said, presenting me with a Beans ’n Bliss travel cup.
“Oohhh, yes. Thank you.” I took a sip and gasped. “A pumpkin spice latte? But it’s out of season!”
“Ella hooked us up,” Ivy said with a grin, referring to the coffee shop’s barista.
“She kept back a bottle of flavoring just for you.” Summer pulled it out of a gift bag. “Just don’t mention it to Lars or he’ll break into your home to steal it. Anything that reminds him of his pumpkin spice omega.” She batted her eyes exaggeratedly and Olive blushed, but I was laser-focused on the bottle of syrup. Every year when pumpkin spice lattes went out of season, I begged Ella to sneak me some.
“This is amazing. Thank you.” I took another sip. The sun was shining and the gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers. It was the first day of spring, the start of the last year of my twenties, and I was determined to make it a good one.
Olive pulled away from the curb, causing all of us to grimace as we lurched down the street.
“Sorry, sorry!” she said. “I’m better at driving boats, but I’ll get the hang of it.”
“Now you don’t have to worry about aging, Luce, since Olive will kill us all,” Summer said dryly.
I glanced back in time to see Ivy elbow her, but as Olive hit the curb, I thought Summer had a point.
Felix batted at one of the flower garlands with his paw. I nudged him away to keep him from destroying them. “Did you all make these? They’re stunning.”
“Leo actually decorated the cart for us,” Ivy said. “We ran into him last night mid-heist and he immediately offered.”
“Not what I would call the behavior of someone whodoesn’t like you,” Olive said in a singsong voice.
I pursed my lips, but I couldn’t stop my stomach from exploding with excited butterflies. He did this forme? I hadn’t seen him since hepractically fled from me the other morning, but this rekindled all my sappy hopes that he returned my crush.
Well, maybe that was too far, but at least he didn’t hate me. You didn’t make beautiful flower garlands to decorate a stolen golf cart for someone you hated, right?
Olive turned down the road to the marina and I cocked my head. “What are we doing?”
“You’ll see,” she said coyly.
We all shrieked as the golf cart hit a speed bump.
“I swear, if that just messed up my pastries,” Summer said through clenched teeth, clutching at a box that had been by her feet.
“Sorry!” Olive shouted.
“You’re doing great,” I reassured her, even as I tensed all my muscles as she took another sharp turn into a parking spot.
Summer peeked inside her box. “Phew, the pastries survived.”
“Good.” Ivy clapped her hands. “Let’s get this party started.”
I hoisted Felix into my arms, making sure not to bump his party hat as I got out of the golf cart. I wiggled happily when I saw my friends carrying gift bags. I loved presents and wasn’t going to let my fear of being seen as shallow mess with me today. It was my birthday, damn it, and I was going to accept all the presents happily.
The boat,My Sweet Olive, came into view and my jaw dropped. Slung along the side was a huge banner readingHappy Birthday Lucyand a huge garland of pastel pink balloons.
“You did this for me?”
“Of course we did,” Summer said, rolling her eyes. “We love you.”
My friends ushered me over to a gorgeous table set up on the deck, complete with a floral tablecloth, colorful plates, and candles. I sat on the cushy seat and a mimosa materialized in my hand.
“You’re spoiling me.”
“As we should.” Summer raised her class. “To Lucy, the sweetest, prettiest, and most crafty omega I know.”
“To Lucy,” Olive and Ivy echoed.
