Under the night sky, a pink and purple fondant castle cake appeared like a dream on the horizon, glowing with the light of birthday candles.
Stars and moon provided a backdrop, with roses in full bloom.
A little rabbit stood atop the castle tower, one leg raised, holding a heart-shaped balloon that seemed ready to lift it into the sky.
Dakota's expression froze for a moment.
She parted her lips slightly, a strand of hair blown by the wind stuck to her glossy lips, and her bright eyes lost focus.
Fondant cake...
It was the style of cake displayed in the window of the bakery they encountered on the day Curtis picked her up.
She remembered looking at it several times.
Later, perhaps noticing her interest, Curtis had specifically turned around to buy her a slice.
But she never expected it—he actually brought that castle cake today.
"Happy Birthday to you..."
At that very moment—the birthday song suddenly began to play.
Jasiah and Noe carried the dreamy fondant castle cake Curtis had ordered, shielding it from the sea breeze while blowing out the candles, singing as they approached.
In the atmosphere, everyone was excitedly giving Curtis birthday wishes. Clearly, surrounded by friends, he should be the only protagonist of the day.
But the candlelight reflected on Dakota's face.
She suddenly had a strange feeling.
It felt like—whether or not Curtis was the star today, she had become his leading lady.
Curtis wasn't paying much attention to Jasiah and Noe, who sang "Happy Birthday" off-key like howling monkeys.
He was more concerned about the gift he had given her.
"How is it?" He tilted his head, looking at her, "Do you like it?"
Dakota turned to look at him.
She saw Curtis's lips curling mischievously, his eyes filled with laughter, "It's for you."
Something inside Dakota stirred.
Even if she were a hedgehog, her spines would soften at these words.
It was his birthday…
Yet, the cake was chosen for her.
Dakota suddenly felt that Curtis wasn't that bad, at least he seemed to be a decent husband.
"Curtis!!!"
She lifted her gaze, the warm glow of the candle dancing in her eyes, "Happy birthday."
Dakota's tone was unusually gentle and soft, unlike her usual haughty and confrontational self, making Curtis feel completely relaxed.
"What about my birthday gift?" he asked.
Dakota's gaze suddenly flickered, her breathing quickened, and she fiddled with her skirt.
"I..."
She turned away, not daring to look at Curtis's eyes, "I left in a hurry and forgot to bring it. I'll make it up to you later."
"Forget it?" Curtis raised an eyebrow.
But Noe had sent him photos, showing Dakota holding the box in the passenger seat, clearly telling him it was Dakota's gift for him.
How could she forget it?
But Curtis didn't think much of it. He figured Dakota wanted to surprise him and give the gift when they were alone.
So he just raised an eyebrow, "Okay, make it up to me later."
Dakota hadn't expected him to be so understanding.
She secretly breathed a sigh of relief...
Thank goodness.
At least Curtis wasn't mad.
That gave her a chance to throw away the previous gift and buy something else when they got back.
Mainly because she hadn't expected Curtis to give her such a beautifully crafted castle fondant cake as a gift...
In comparison, her gift was too embarrassing!
It was impossible to give it away!
Dakota hurriedly changed the subject, "Blow out the candles? Jasiah and Noe are waiting for you."
"Alright," Curtis responded.
He walked toward the pink-purple dreamy castle cake, which was quite uncharacteristic of him.
Noe teased, "Curtis, when did you develop a girly side? This birthday is so feminine."
Curtis laughed and cursed, "Get lost."
He blew out the candles half-heartedly, without even making a wish, then gestured with his index and middle fingers, "Alright, cut whichever piece you want."
Noe eagerly went to cut the cake.
Although he had just complained about being too "girly" to play with balloons, his actions were quite honest. "I have to have that bunny pulling the balloon, and that air-filled heart, hey, I've never had a fondant cake in my life, let me see what makes it different from regular cakes."
Jasiah was thoroughly unimpressed.
He knew Curtis was a hopeless romantic and noticed that the cake was intended for Dakota.
Otherwise, he might have called it too girly too.
Jasiah slapped Noe's hand, "What's the rush? The birthday boy gets to cut the first slice."
"Oh, yeah," Noe came to his senses.
He promptly turned around, presenting the knife with both hands, "Got carried away. Curtis, you cut it."
Curtis calmly took the knife.
Then he naturally looked at Dakota, "Which piece do you like?"
Dakota was slightly stunned.
She looked up stiffly, feeling like they were having a secret affair in broad daylight.
"Whichever... whatever..."
But Dakota eventually pointed, "How about the pumpkin carriage?"
In front of the castle was a delicate pink-white pumpkin carriage, pulled by pretty white foals. There was no one sitting in the carriage, just a crown placed on the seat.
Curtis nodded.
He cut the pumpkin carriage piece and handed it to Dakota, then passed the knife to the others to cut freely.
Noe pouted, "Why did you give the first piece to Dakota? Curtis has been acting weird lately."
"You're right," Lailah agreed, nodding.
She broke off the rabbit's ear and curiously took a bite, "Like he's got some terminal illness or something, suddenly becoming friendly with Dakota."
Dakota: "..."
She grumbled quietly, dissatisfied, "It's his luck that I'm eating the first piece of his birthday cake."
"Sure, sure."
Jasiah looked meaningfully at Curtis, "Some people must be thrilled about this luck."
Curtis glanced at him, not bothering to respond.
Dakota avoided sugar and didn't like overly sweet things, so she put the cake down after just a couple of bites.
Noe, however, kept poking at the cake, muttering, "This fondant cake doesn't taste that great, just looks fancy. Isn't this something girls usually like?"
Jasiah was too lazy to deal with this fool.
He dragged Noe by the collar toward the grill, "Stop blabbering, you dimwit, come help with the meat!"
Noe: "..."
