The rest of the week passed quickly as I worked on the cafe's paperwork, getting things filed and put away properly. Kai would pop in from time to time, checking what I was doing and telling me little things happening up front. We ate every lunch together, Kai making food for me as well and I made him a few different diabetic-friendly desserts bringing a large smile to his face. He had told me to take Saturday off, knowing that I needed the rest and I spent the day exploring the town, adjusting to my new prosthetic. This one was far more advanced than the last, lighter weight but sturdier, and didn’t cause exhaustion to hit me much at all.

It was Sunday afternoon and I was getting ready to head to Kai’s house for the dinner that he and Juniper had decided to throw for me. I had spent the better part of 4 hours staring at my closet, trying on clothes before tossing them back into the closet, unhappy with a single thing that I tried on.

“What the hell do I wear?” I muttered as my phone started to ring on my bed, “hello?” I answered with a soft sigh.

“Shiloh?” Juniper’s voice came through, “what are you doing?”

“Debating what to wear tonight. I want to look good but not over the top. What’s up?”

“Can you do me a massive favor? I’ll pay you back for it.”

“What is it?”

“Connor’s car broke down and Kai can’t get there right now. He just needs a jump for his battery. He’s here in town, but there’s no one that can get to him.”

“Do you have an address I can use to find him?”

“Mhm, I’ll text it to you.”

“Alright, let him know I need to get dressed and I’ll be right there to help.”

“Thank you, Shi! You’re the best,” she sighed happily.

“Anything for you and Kai, you know that.”

“I know. See you soon!”

We hung up and I grabbed a black thin-strapped tank top, putting my favorite mesh floral button-up on top of that. After putting on black jeans and my favorite tennis shoes, I gathered up my things, ensuring I had my crutches just in case and headed out of the front door to the address that Juniper had sent me.

Pulling up to the building I found who I immediately knew was Connor leaning against the side of his car. Parking, I quickly climbed out smiling.

“Connor?”

He turned to me, his eyes growing wide and he broke into a dazzling smile, running a hand through his bright green hair, “Shiloh right? Juni told me you were coming and I’d know it was you as soon as I saw the red hair. She was right. You’re cute as a button.”

“Oh,” I laughed softly, “thank you. It’s nice to meet you. Juniper said you needed a jump right?”

“Yeah! Stupid fuckin car. I can’t afford a new battery right now thanks to flying home to Florida.”

“How much would you need?” I popped the hood of my car, going around to grab my jumper cables from the trunk.

“Only about 100 why?” He looked at me curiously as I got ready to jump his car.

“Do you take Juni around?”

“Mhm. All the time. Again. Why?”

“Go into my backpack and grab my wallet please,” starting my car, I revved the gas, hoping to kick start his engine.

He did as I asked and handed me my wallet before running over to attempt to start his car. It took multiple tries before the engine finally turned over and he cheered loudly, jumping up and down.

“Thank you so fucking much. I didn’t want to be trapped outside of a pet supply shop all night,” he laughed, coming back to me and holding his hand out.

As I shook his hand I slipped 200 dollars into his palm before carefully unhooking the jumper cables.

“Shiloh?” He whispered, staring at the money, “I can’t take this.”

“Sure ya can. I already had it budgeted out but my appointment didn’t cost nearly as much as I thought so I was going to use it on Kai. I keep baking him sweets, but I’d rather you take it. Get a new battery and whatever’s left take Juniper out. It’s almost your anniversary right?”

“Yeah… yeah it is,” he nodded, “are you absolutely sure?”

“I care about Juni which means I care about you too because you make her happy. You’re all she talks to me about besides prying into my life and asking questions about my leg. I know we don’t know each other yet, but I know plenty about you. So I know you’re a good person who deserves a nice dinner with their girlfriend for your anniversary. I like seeing a happy couple,” smiling, I closed my hood and turned back to Connor, “it’s okay. I’m happy to help those who need it. I consider it paying Juniper back for looking into everything I need to get my licenses to open a bakery in the cafe.”

“First. You’re a wonderful man and I’m so happy you came into my Juni’s life and are taking care of Kai. Second. What’s this about your leg? Third, when you open the bakery can I buy the first cupcake?”

“Thank you for the compliment but I’ll always take care of Juniper and Kai. I have a prosthetic leg,” I lifted my pants to show him before dropping them again, “I would have thought Juni would have told you. Finally, yes but I’ll also just bake you guys stuff. Just have Juniper tell me what you want and I’ll do it.”

“You’re a good person,” he smiled and suddenly hugged me, “I’m touchy. Sorry.”

“I don’t mind it in the slightest,” I hugged him back with a laugh, “come on. We have siblings waiting for us.”

We loaded into our own vehicles and I followed Connor to Kai’s house. As soon as we arrived, he jumped out of his car and went running to the front door, knocking quickly. It swung open to reveal Juniper and she squealed happily as Connor hugged her, kissing all over her face, clearly happy to be reunited.

They’re so cute.

Kai was right.

They deeply love each other.

I finally joined them on the porch, my bag slung around my back and Juniper pulled me until I was a part of their hug.

“Jesus, Juni! I saw you yesterday,” I laughed, squeezing her.

“Doesn’t mean I didn’t miss you. Plus Kai is driving me insane. He hasn’t stopped cleaning. It’s not like you haven’t been here. Go stop him please before he hurts himself. He listens to you.”

“You got it,” I kissed the side of her head and walked past her into the house.

Looking around, my gaze finally fell on Kai. He had his back to me and was furiously scrubbing the counter, his hair pulled into a bun on the top of his head.

“You’re gonna break something if you don’t show down,” I called softly and he turned around quickly, a bright smile breaking out, “hi, Kai.”

“You’re late,” he laughed, rushing over to hug me, “but I’m glad you’re here.”

“I had to help Connor. That’s all. Plus I couldn’t figure out what to wear,” I squeezed him tightly, resting my chin on his shoulder, “seriously, slow down with the cleaning. Your kitchen is spotless already.”

“I clean when I’m anxious. That’s all,” he rubbed my back gently, trailing his fingers along my spine before letting me go, “you look nice.”

“So do you,” I smiled, fixing the collar of his shirt.

The deep gold of his short sleeve button-up complimented his complexion, paired perfectly with tight, faux leather black pants. There was a small gold chain around his neck with a moon pendant on it, and the smell of raspberries and rum flooded my senses from his cologne.

“I destroyed my room trying to pick clothes,” he laughed, tucking a piece of my hair behind my ear before clearing his throat and moving away, his cheeks pink, “sorry.”

“I don’t mind it,” looking down, I could hear whispering coming from behind me and I turned to find Juniper and Connor watching us, “what?”

“Nothing. Nope. Absolutely not,” Connor shook his head, going over and hugging Kai roughly, “sup big bro?”

“Why are you so aggressive my God,” Kai huffed, patting Connor roughly on the back, “I missed you. Welcome back. How’s your mom?”

“She’s in a good home that’ll take care of her,” Connor grabbed a tomato from a plate on the counter and popped it into his mouth, “I still have to fly back once in a while, but she didn’t even know who I was when I got there. Kept calling me Connie. I told her over and over again that’s not my name, it’s Connor, I’m her son, not her daughter anymore but she can’t comprehend that so, as much as it hurt, I sucked it up and just let her call me Connie. I didn’t want to confuse her anymore.”

“You’re a good son,” I smiled at Connor, “even if it hurts, doing the best for her is what’s important at the end of the day.”

“I love my mama. She’s amazing. Totally supportive. But I knew this would happen and I don’t take it personally.”

“I’m gl-” I started to answer him when my phone went off in my pocket, “why the hell does he keep calling me? I’m so tired of this.”

Checking the caller ID, I simply handed my phone to Juniper, knowing she handled William’s constant harassment better than I could.

“Shiloh’s phone, this is Juni,” she answered it on speaker with a smile.

“I am so fucking tired of you answering my boyfriend's phone. Where is he?”

“I have no idea,” she shrugged, “last I saw him he was getting a drink and heading into the backyard with a friend of mine.”

“So he’s cheating on me then?”

“How can he be cheating on you when you fucked his brother, William?”

“You fucked his brother!” Connor yelled before quickly covering his mouth.

“Oh great another idiot,” William sighed.

“Alright I’ve had about enough of this,” Kai took my phone from Juniper, “Hello. My name is Kai. I’m a friend of Shiloh’s and I need to ask that you stop harassing him. You’re affecting his sleep, his ability to work, and right now you’re interrupting the party that I’m trying to throw him after you ruined his birthday by thinking sleeping with his twin brother was somehow okay. If you continue to call him, I will have him file harassment charges against you. Or I’ll do it myself. But you will leave him alone, let him be happy. He isn’t your property. He’s a kind, gentle, caring man. I won't allow you to hurt him any more than you already have. I know what happened between you two, I know everything and if you can’t leave Shiloh alone, it won’t be him you’re dealing with, William. It’ll be me. Goodbye,” he hung up my phone and handed it to me as the rest of us went silent, watching him, “what?”

“Where the fuck did that come from?” Juniper whispered, “you are never aggressive.”

“I’m just tired of seeing Shiloh so upset every time William calls to beg him to come home. He’s worth more than that.”

“I am?” I looked at him shocked and his face went red as he turned to the oven to get dinner out.

“Dinner is ready,” Kai cleared his throat, “go ahead and go to the table. It’s all set. I’ll bring this right over okay?”

“Thanks, Mom,” Connor laughed as he followed Juniper to the table.

“Kai?” I gently touched his arm, “what did you mean?”

“I don’t feel comfortable talking about that right now,” he whispered.

“Then I won’t push. Can I help with anything?”

“In the fridge, I made those pickled carrots and onions you love. Can you grab those for me? I already set drinks on the table,” he let out a relieved sigh before gently touching my cheek, “thank you. For never pushing me to share. I need to work through a few things then I’ll tell you what’s going on in my head.”

“I’m patient. Remember what I told you. You never have to tell me anything. But I would like to get to know you more okay? I’m curious but I want you to be comfortable.”

“I know.”

We finally headed to the table with everything and I took a seat at one end of the table. Juniper was on my left, Kai at the other end, and Connor was on my right.

“Happy belated birthday Shiloh!” Juniper smiled.

“Thank you,” I laughed as Kai started serving dinner, “this is the first time I’ve celebrated with friends, even if it is a week or so late.”

“It’ll be on time next year,” Kai smiled, “but happy birthday.”

“Happy birthday!” Connor cheered and threw a napkin at me.

“Thank you thank you, my goodness,” I smiled brightly and we all began to eat, talking about random things that popped in our heads.

As soon as we were done, Kai ran over to the fridge and grabbed something, carrying it carefully and setting it in front of me.

“I can’t bake…” he laughed, “but I do know how to make fruit tarts. I hope you like it.”

The tart was beautiful, covered in strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, mandarin orange slices, blackberries, and raspberries all done in a swirl on the top of the cream.

“Oh,” I whispered, “this is incredible.”

“It looks pretty but I can’t promise how it will taste. I can’t eat it,” he started cutting pieces slowly and I got out of the way, going to my backpack and grabbing a small box I had placed in it incredibly carefully.

“That’s okay,” I stopped him from cutting the tart and placed the box carefully in his hands, “I made you something.”

“I… I didn’t ask for anything. It’s supposed to be your birthday,” Kai stared at the box, surprised.

“I know. It’s a new recipe I’m trying. It’s sugar-free but I couldn’t tell when I ate it.”

He opened the box and gasped softly, “Shiloh this is beautiful!”

I had made him an upside-down blood orange cupcake with an edible orange flower on top of it.

“Your favorite color is orange, I learned that pretty quickly and I always see you snacking on them. So, I thought I’d give that a try. I quite liked it so I hope you will too.”

“I want some!” Juniper pouted.

“No,” Kai hid the box away from her, “mine. Eat the tart.”

“But Shiloh makes the literal best desserts on the planet.”

“I’ll make you something,” I kissed the top of Juniper’s head, “for example. You like mint. I’ll make you truffles with pecans and creme de menthe. They’re amazing.”

“You’re the best!”

“Can you make extras without pecans so I can steal some from Juni? I’m allergic,” Connor smiled.

“I’ll just make you your own small box, it doesn't take me long.”

“You’re too good to us,” Juniper sighed happily, looking at me as I took my seat again, Kai sliding me a piece of the tart.

“I just care for all of you, you know that. I have a big heart. You make me feel warm and welcome. I appreciate all of you.”

“Even me?” Connor smiled.

“Even you,” I laughed, “because you care for Juni and that’s important to me.”

We all started to eat our desserts, my eyes growing wide at how amazing the tart was and Kai kept making excited noises over the cupcake I had made for him.

“It’s a fucking cupcake, Kai. My God,” Connor laughed.

“Shut the fuck up, Connor. It’s the best thing I’ve eaten in my life,” Kai glared at him.

“I don’t believe that.”

“Fine,” Kai tore off a piece of the cupcake and dropped it onto Connor’s plate, “try it.”

Connor quickly ate the little piece and stared at me in shock, “you made that?” He whispered.

“Yeah?” I looked at him confused.

“Holy hell it’s the best thing I’ve ever had! You have to sell those at the bakery. At least as an occasional specialty, they’re amazing.”

“I… hm. Kai does have a lot of tea that would pair well. But blood oranges can get expensive. I’ll have to figure out a way to make it with a different fruit. Maybe lemon. I bet that would be good. Thank you, Connor. I hadn’t considered that.”

“Happy to help,” he laughed as we all started to talk again.

Even if it's late…

This is the best birthday of my life.