"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE!!!"
For a moment, I just stood there, taking everything in.
The rooftop had been completely transformed, glowing under soft string lights that stretched across the open space. Music played quietly in the background while laughter and chatter filled the air.
"This is… for me?" I asked softly.
"Of course it is," Amy said, walking up to me and pulling me into a tight hug. "Happy birthday!"
"Happy birthday!" Daisy chimed in, wrapping her arms around me from the other side.
I laughed, slightly overwhelmed as they both squeezed me. "You guys did all this?"
"Not just us," Nicholas said, raising his glass slightly. "Harley had a big part in it."
My heart skipped. I turned my head slightly, my eyes landing on Harley.
He was standing a few steps away, watching me quietly. No teasing. No smug expression. Just… watching.
"Thank you," I said softly.
He gave a small nod. "You deserve it."
The rest of the evening quickly fell into a comfortable rhythm.
Music played softly as conversations flowed around me.
Dylan somehow ended up telling a ridiculous story that had everyone laughing, while Amy and Daisy kept dragging me into random photos.
"At least pretend you're enjoying this," Amy said, holding her phone up.
"I am enjoying this," I laughed.
"Then smile properly!"
"I am smiling!"
Daisy leaned in. "No, that's your polite smile. We want the real one."
I rolled my eyes but laughed anyway as the camera flashed.
A glass was suddenly placed into my hand, while Amy and Daisy browsed through the photos we took.
"Careful," Harley said quietly beside me. "That one's stronger than it looks."
I glanced at him. "Are you trying to warn me or challenge me?"
He smirked slightly. "Both."
I took a small sip, immediately coughing.
"Harley—"
He chuckled softly. "I did warn you."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"Maybe." He took the champagne glass from my hand and drank it all in one go.
As the night went on, the crowd shifted naturally. Small groups formed and broke apart, the hum of conversations blending with the soft music in the background.
At some point, I found myself standing near the edge of the rooftop, the cool night air brushing against my skin.
The city lights stretched endlessly below, competing with the moonlight glow.
"Trying to escape?" Harley's voice came from behind me.
I turned slightly. "Just getting some air."
He stepped beside me, resting his arms against the railing. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The music felt distant here. The laughter softer.
"You're happy?" he asked.
I nodded. "I am."
He glanced at me. "Good."
And for a moment… everything felt perfect.
"Harley, Sophie, say cheese," Daisy said, with her phone in her hand.
Harley and I glanced over our shoulders, as Daisy snapped multiple photos of us.
"Thank you," she said in a singsong voice, before leaving.
"Sophie!" Amy called across the rooftop. "Time to make a wish and blow out your candles."
We walked over to where everyone was. Amy handed me the cake, while Daisy stood before us with her phone ready.
"Make a wish," she said.
The soft glow of the candles flickered against our faces as I thought about what to wish for. A second later, I closed my eyes.
I wished for us to always remain close friends.
I opened my eyes and blew out the candles. Cheers erupted around me. Amy took the cake from me and began cutting it into equal squares.
"Here you go," she said, handing me a plate.
"Thank you."
James walked over and stood beside me, with a slice of cake in his hand. "Happy birthday, Sophie."
"Thanks, James," I replied, smiling. "I don't see you much anymore. Is work keeping you busy?"
James nodded.
"In fact," he added, "I have to leave soon. I have an emergency appointment with a client."
I smiled at him. "That's okay, I am glad you came."
He gave me a hug before excusing himself. I looked across the rooftop and saw Daisy arguing with Dylan.
"Is everything okay?" I asked after making my way toward them. They looked at me, then each other, and then back at me.
"What?"
"Nothing," Daisy said before walking off.
As I watched her walk away, perplexed, Dylan wrapped his arms around my neck and whispered, "So… about that date you promised me a while back?"
"I made such a promise?" I replied before lifting his hands off me by pinching his skin.
"Ow, ow, ow."
I chuckled at his pathetic attempt at looking hurt.
The sound of heels clicking against the floor cut through the noise. One by one, the laughter faded.
The music felt distant. I turned toward the entrance and saw the silhouette of a woman. She was tall and elegant—composed, as if she belonged exactly where she was.
My brows furrowed slightly as I tried my hardest to make out who it was. But to no avail.
Who…?
An indescribable feeling surged within me when she fixated her gaze on Harley. And then—she walked straight toward him.
My heart dropped when she stopped in front of him. For a brief second, even Harley looked surprised.
Then she smiled.
"Miss me?"
Before anyone could react—she went on the tips of her toes and wrapped her arms around Harley… and kissed him.
Everyone gasped out loud while I stood in place, shocked. What shocked me more was the fact that Harley just stood there.
"Hey Harley!" Dylan's face lit up like a kid being rewarded for good behaviour. "Does this mean I can actively pursue Sophie?"
"Give it a rest, Dylan," Daisy said, harshly. "You and Sophie will never happen."
"What kind of sister are you?"
"The one that grounds you back to reality," Daisy said, sticking her tongue out.
"Harley," the woman said in a seductive tone after breaking off the kiss, "I missed you so much."
"What are you doing here, Stacy?" Harley asked.
My lips formed a straight line as I watched Harley talk to the woman like nothing had happened.