Knox’s eyes lock onto mine. He strides over until he is flush against my back and folds his arms around me. He bows his head and nuzzles my neck, making goose bumps travel along my arms.
“Happy birthday,” he says in my ear.
My chest warms. “Thank you.”
“Happy birthday!” Kane yells, his larger-than-life personality on show.
The Hart brothers look similar with their signature whiskey-colored eyes, but their personalities differ. Kane is all smiles and mischief; Knox is broody and intense. While Kane is easygoing, Knox is distant and quiet.
Even their clothing sense is different. Knox is mostly in black and might wear something white for contrast, whereas Kane is usually dressed in bright fashionable T-shirts with matching-color, branded sneakers.
Knox’s arms slip away from me. I turn to see him pull a small jewelry case from his back pocket. When he places it in my hand, I touch the soft velvet material of the lid before opening it to see a large blue emerald-cut crystal surrounded by tiny diamonds. I clutch my chest as I suck in a breath through my teeth.
I feel a hand on my shoulder. I glance to the side and see Misty. She whistles.
My hands tremble. I open my mouth to speak, but I can’t. A deep chuckle comes from Kane. Knox gently takes the case from my hands, and I watch as he pulls the ring out and then slides it onto the fourth finger on my right hand.
I thought someone would purchase a ring for my birthday. Misty wasn’t very subtle in going to the jewelry store, trying on different rings, and measuring my size while we were there.
“Mom told me the band is platinum and the big crystal is a sapphire. The crystals around it are diamonds...” He rubs the back of his neck, suddenly shy. “It’s a family heirloom.”
A range of emotions strike me at once—happiness, appreciation—but I also worry that I’ll lose it. It looks expensive. I rise onto my toes and give him a chaste kiss on the lips.
“Where’s my diamond-and-sapphire ring?” Misty taunts Kane before elbowing him in the ribs.
He coughs, then caresses his side where she elbowed him. “Maybe you can get a ring next year.”
Mom and Iris hover around me, so I turn and hold my ring out to them, feeling giddy and spoiled.
“Oh my...” Mom says. She looks at Knox before looking back at the ring. “It’s absolutely stunning.”
Iris tugs on my hand, pulling it closer to her. “For heaven’s sake, child, don’t lose it.”
I bring my hand back to my side and lean into Knox. “Thank you.”
He kisses my temple. “You’re welcome, precious.”
“How about we go get changed?” Misty suggests.
On the way to our bedrooms, Misty halts and turns to me with a deep frown. “You don’t have to wear the necklace I got you. It looks so lame compared to the ring Knox gave you.”
My heart aches for her. I lift my hand and hold the necklace charm in my palm, as if I’m protecting it from Misty’s cruel words.
“Please don’t say that. I love it.”
Misty is an extrovert, but there are moments like this when I can see her insecurities.
Although my family is well-off, our wealth pales in comparison to what Audrey Knox, and Kane's mother, inherited from her family. I gather Misty paid for the necklace herself.
My dad is an accountant at Crown-Hart Casino, which was owned by Knox and Kane’s parents, but their dad, David, got it and the house in the divorce. Although Audrey kept all the assets she inherited from her family and their holiday houses, David got the casino on the condition that Knox and Kane would be a part of the business and inherit it once David passes, though I get the feeling Knox isn’t interested in it.
Misty gives me a small smile before she enters her bedroom.
After I get changed into shorts and a shirt, the sound of someone clearing their throat makes me hastily turn. Mom is standing awkwardly by my bed.
“You scared me.” After I get over my shock, I ask, “What’s wrong?”
Mom looks at the floor before staring at me. “Do we have to havethe talk?”
