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Drew stepped behind me, drawing me into his arms, his chin on my shoulder as we watched the last bits of my old life turn to cinders.

I thought I’d feel vindicated. Powerful. But all I really felt was peace. And I let it be enough.

We stood like that for what felt like an hour but was likely only a few minutes as the fire burned down.

“Ready for me to put the coals out?” he murmured when the blackened mess in the pit was unrecognizable.

“Yes.”

The coals sizzled as he doused them in saltwater, ensuring the fire was cold before we went home.

I was quiet on the drive back to the house. Drew kept the windows down, the brackish air cleansing the lingering stench of my burning driver’s license from our nostrils.

Clay’s truck was in the driveway at the house, so Drew parked on the street.

“Clay’s here?” I asked.

“The entire gang should be inside. I hope that’s okay. They wanted to celebrate with you.” Drew grimaced comically, the big contortion of his handsome face night and day from the stoic man who first offered me his jacket at the bluffs. “Well, maybe Zach just wants cake. But also, probably the celebration bit.”

“And we’re celebrating because…”

“It’s a birthday of sorts.” He grinned like a pleased little boy.

It was adorable.

“Drew, you shouldn’t have.”

“We wanted to.” He drifted closer, brushing his mouth against mine. I tilted into the kiss. “Let’s go inside. Everyone’s waiting.”

Hand in hand, we approached the back door.

“Happy birthday to you…” Clay belted out as we slid the door open and toed off our shoes. “Happy birthday—"

Lucy clapped her hands over her ears. “Please, for the love of god, stop.”

Vi popped off the couch and approached me with open arms. I stepped into her embrace, letting her wrap me close. My throat tightened with emotion. She’d always been like a sister to me, supportive and encouraging. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised that she and Drew conspired to make today special and celebratory instead of just a ritual for closure.

“Hey, Anya,” Zach called from his spot on the couch next to Rae. He grinned, his dimples flashing. “I hope you don’t like chocolate.”

I narrowed my eyes.Heathen.

Rae smacked him on the shoulder. “Fenwick, who doesn’t like chocolate?”

“Lots of people.”

“We bought dessert for her, fool. Why don’t you want her to like it?”

“Duh, more cake for me.” He smiled.

Rae shook her head, mouthing “sorry” to me across the living room. I chuckled, loving my friends more than I thought possible in that moment.

“I love chocolate.” My gaze settled on each of my friends in turn, trying to communicate without words how deeply I appreciated the gesture. “Thank you all.” I sniffed, on the edge of losing it. They’d never know how much their support meant to me. Drew squeezed my shoulders, the silent show of support helping me stay in control.

Lee emerged from the kitchen, a decadent-looking chocolate cake balanced carefully on his palms. Vi brought out plates, forks, and napkins, and Lee offered me a knife.

“To new names and new beginnings,” Vi said.

For a moment, I hesitated, knife hovering. Cutting the cake meant saying yes to all of it, to them, to Drew, to the life I never thought I’d have.