i log in, set the cookie, click on a Link to my middleware protected /admin page and nothing happens. if i refresh/go to that page from the url then it works

i've tried link and a href

export function Navbar() {
    const router = useRouter();
    const sessionData = useAtomValue(sessionDataAtom)
    console.log("[Navbar] sessionDataAtom value:", sessionData);

    const AdminLink = () => {
        const handleClick = (e) => {
            e.preventDefault();
            router.refresh();
            router.push('/admin');
        };

        return (
            <a href="/admin" onClick={handleClick}>
                Admin
            </a>
        );
    };


    return (
        <>
            <div className='w-full flex flex-row items-center justify-between p-4'>
                <div className='flex flex-row gap-4 items-center'>
                    <Link href="/">
                        home
                    </Link>

                    {/* <Link href="/admin">
                        Admin
                    </Link> */}
                    {/* <Link as="/admin" href="/admin">
                        Admin
                    </Link> */}
                    <AdminLink />

                    <span>{sessionData?.telegram_username}</span>
                </div>
            </div>
        </>
    )
}

what do i need to do to fix this...