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>Give Ruth the VIP treatment.

Olivia’s eyes sparkle. “That’s genius, Lorene! If we just explain to the restaurant that it’s Ruth’s birthday, they’ll let us do that for sure!”

Lorene had a little smugness in her smile. Olivia wasn’t the only one good at planning these things!

When Ruth arrives at the restaurant, dropped off by her mom, Lorene and Olivia are ready and waiting.

“u-um, hi guys…!”

“Ruth!!!”

Olivia rushes forward and hugs her, nuzzling her cheek against her hair, while Lorene walks at a more reasonable pace behind, a cheerful grin on her face. “Hi, Ruth. We already reserved a table, so let’s head on in!”

Ruth looks down and smiles bashfully. “…thanks you two… you’re the best.”

When the two of them reveal the table with happy birthday cheers, she almost looks like she’s about to cry.

As the food is brought out, and Olivia chatters on and on endlessly while Ruth happily nods along, Lorene can’t help but think that this is the way life was always meant to be. There were no mind-games, no debts, no worries about what would happen next. It was just genuine and pure.

Eventually, it’s time for cake. Olivia places a candle in the center of the singular slice, which the three of them will share.

“Alright, Ruth, make a wish!!”

The birthday-girl is about to close her eyes, then she looks at the two of them. “y-you guys should make wishes too…! let’s blow out the candle together…!”

“That’s a great idea!” Olivia throws an arm around Lorene’s shoulder and pulls her in. “Alright guys, on the count of three! One. Two!”

Lorene stares at the flickering flame.

>…A wish, huh…