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“Balloons, Penny.”

She looks over her shoulder. “Those could be for anyone.”

The giant 27 floating above the table turns slowly behind her, and I point at it.

She follows my finger. “Huh.”

“Huh?”

“What are the odds?”

I start laughing. “You're all insane.”

“Correct.” Grace hands me a beer. “Happy birthday.”

“Thank you.” I give her a hug before Summer and Lexy come over to wish me a happy birthday too. Suddenly, everyone is talking at once, someone pulls Chiara into the group, and Mia comes running over to wrap both arms around my legs.

“Happy birthday, Nora!”

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

“I helped with the cake.”

Ethan makes a choking sound behind her. “You put sprinkles on it.”

Mia turns around. “That's helping.”

“It absolutely is,” I tell her.

She gives her father a victorious look. “See?”

Ethan sighs. “I live with two of them now.”

Summer pats his cheek. “And you love us.”

“With every cell of my being.”

She kisses him, and my smile catches for just a second.

A husband teasing his wife. A kiss given without a second thought. Something so ordinary that I doubt either of them will remember it tomorrow.

Once, that was me.

This morning, it was me again, if only for a little while.

The familiar ache returns, sharp enough to make my chest tighten, but I let myself feel it before taking another sip of my beer.

Have fun.

I can do that.

Tonight, I can do that.

I look around the room, taking in the people gathered around the tables, and realize Jude isn't here. I frown before I can stop myself.

“Looking for someone?”

My head snaps towards Chiara. “No.”