Chapter 59

Lara

“Look at the cake!” I exclaim and look at Lydia and Sally in excitement. “Isn’t it wonderful?!”

“Beautiful!” Sally says. She is sitting by the table. Her heavily pregnant belly makes it difficult for her to do much, but she still insisted on helping us bake.

“It’s perfect!” Lydia says, clapping her hands together. “You did an amazing job on the frosting, Lara.”

“Thanks,” I reply, grinning from ear to ear. “Couldn’t have done it without you two.”

Just then, Ryan walks into the kitchen with a wide smile on his face. He strides over to Lydia and kisses her cheek tenderly before turning to me. “Happy birthday, Lara!”

“Thank you, Ryan!” I beam at him as warmth spreads through my chest.

Our little group feels like a family, and being surrounded by people who care about me means so much. But even in this happy moment, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness that Ashton isn’t here with us. No one knows he is my mate, and I don’t plan on telling them, but…I really wish he was here.

“Time t