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“Maybe.”

Aspen gasps beside her. “You got cake?”

“I want it noted that this was supposed to be a surprise for Blair.”

“I want one,” she says, completely ignoring me.

“Already handled.” I pull out the second cupcake and place it in front of her.

Aspen throws both hands into the air. “Best daddy ever!”

“Apparently your father is full of surprises,” Blair says, smiling at me.

I find a candle in the junk drawer and push it into the frosting before lighting it.

Aspen immediately launches into the loudest version of “Happy Birthday” I’ve ever heard. Blair laughs through the entire song, but when it ends, she closes her eyes and blows out the candle.

I find myself wondering what she wished for.

My phone buzzes against the counter while Blair and Aspen argue over whether Beachy should dress as a pirate or a vampire for Halloween.

RORY: You home? I left my jacket there last week.

I look over at Blair sitting across from Aspen.

An idea forms.

Probably a bad one.

ME: Yeah. Come grab it.

RORY: Why does that sound suspicious?

ME: Just come over.

RORY: Oh my god. Is Blair there?!

I lock my phone.

Fucking family.

Ten minutes later, a knock sounds at the door while Blair and I are clearing the table.

“Expecting company?” she asks.

“That’ll be Rory. She left her jacket here.”

Aspen is already halfway to the door before I finish speaking.

“AUNT RORY!”

Rory walks in, spots Blair, then slowly looks at me.

Her mouth twitches.

Fucking hell.

“Well,” she says. “This is cozy.”