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Carpe Diem, Live Every Day Like It’s Your Last

I wasn’t ready before…not like I am now.

Slowly, I set down my bag and pull out a checkered picnic blanket. Then I take out a glass container and open the lid, revealing a small slice of vanilla cake with rainbow sprinkles. Her favorite. I prefer chocolate but today isn’t about me. It’s about us; the end of one journey and the beginning of another.

A sad, bittersweet smile tilts my lips as I take out a small metal can and place my letter inside.

Grabbing a lighter, my pulse ratchets up as I look around, because what I’m about to do is probably illegal. Wildfires are a real threat in California.

But sometimes, it’s okay to break the rules.

Not recklessly. Not carelessly.

But because some moments in life are meant to be felt fully.

Because sometimes, living fully means bending the edges.

Suddenly, I hear the crunching sounds of twigs snapping behind me. The distinct, familiar footsteps. The heated presence and scorching intensity.

I freeze, goosebumps forming on my arms.

“My naughty Olive, what will Smokey Bear say when he sees you starting fires in the wild?” a deep voice says.

I smile.

Chapter Fifty-Four

My heart jolts tolife like it’s been hit with a defibrillator when Olivia turns around and smiles at me.

Smiles.A sweet, beautiful smile.

She’s bewitching, standing there, a breeze rustling her sleek black hair and her simple purple sundress.

I’m hit with an urge to kneel at her feet, because what did I ever do to deserve her?

What did I do to deserve her precious smile, her kindness, and her love?

I thought she might tell me off or give me the silent treatment. Both are the least of what I deserve for hurting her, for not trusting her enough with my secrets.

But instead, she’s giving me grace and understanding.

“Olive,” I rasp, my hands behind my back, the thick straps of the paper bags I’m holding digging into my flesh. “Happy birthday.”

“How did you know I’m here?”

“A little bird may have told me.” Five little birds, to be exact. I think back to my sisters slash sisters-in-law’s faces when they video called me earlier. All of them clamored to give me advice on how to win Olivia back.

“Buy her books. Lots of them!” Grace says.

“The smutty ones.” That’s Millie.

“What’s smut?” I ask, and the girls cackle.

“Men. I swear, if we didn’t need you to procreate, you’d be extinct,” Taylor mutters. “Just trust them. You’ll benefit from the smut.”

“I’m sure your presence is the best present.” Alexis beams. Damn it, I hate to admit it, but Ethan has good taste. His wife is a good cookie, unlike the rest of these…hyenas.

“You have a present for her, right? You better not show up empty-handed, or else.” Lana scowls at the camera.