Chapter 188: Birthday Girl

Savannah My sleep was interrupted by someone singing. “Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, Savannah.” The sound was deep, low, and close enough that it tugged me from sleep like a gentle hand. My eyes fluttered open immediately. Roman was sitting cross-legged on his side of the bed, the faint morning light haloing his shoulders. In his hands was a medium sized heart-shaped cake, a single candle flickering weakly. I blinked, groggy and confused. “Oh, fuck. I’m thirty.” My palm hit my forehead. “I actually forgot it was today.” He smiled — that calm, teasing smile that made it impossible to be embarrassed around him. “Good thing I remembered, baby.” He extended the cake toward me. “Come on, my love. Blow the candle before the wax ruins my masterpiece.” My heart squeezed a little. I sat up, brushed my hair off my face, and leaned in. He held my hair back gently, his fingers brushing the nape of my neck. I closed my eyes, made a quick wish—please let this happiness last—and blew out the