“Alright—everyone in position,” I order, crouching down into my own hiding spot. Butterflies fill my stomach, and my hands shake at my sides. I really hope he likes this.
The door creaks open, and the first thing I hear is Beau’s voice booming through the bar. I can feel a slight breeze from the eye roll I know Marie just did.
“Come on, Knox. It’s just one drink. You owe me after bailing last weekend.”
Knox’s low laugh follows behind him, making my skin crawl with anticipation. “You do realize it’s a Wednesday, right? Who drinks on a Wednesday? And also, I had no choice but to come. I’m pretty sure you stole my keys.”
Beau snorts. “I did no such thing. But if I did, you will get your keys back after you’ve pretended to enjoy my company for exactly one drink.”
I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing. I peek my head around the side of the bar to make sure Knox is within range. It takes everything in me not to pop out too early—especially when his face scrunches up as he realizes he’s walking into a pitch-black room with nothing to greet him but the faint sound coming from the jukebox in the corner.
“Beau, what the hell?—”
“Surprise!”everyone shuts at once. Someone turns on the light, illuminating an entire room full of unnecessary, but fun decorations.
Knox pauses as his eyes sweep across the room. His mouth parts slightly, taking in the colorful streamers andsigns we spent the entire afternoon putting up. Emma is bouncing excitedly next to the cake, and Wren smirks as she turns up the dial on the jukebox, filling the room with some folksy band that Knox loves.
But through all the chaos, his eyes find me, pinning me in place. I walk toward him slowly, nerves humming under my skin. “Surprise,” I say softly.
His jaw remains slack, and for a second, he’s speechless. The only thing keeping me sane is his signature playful look rippling behind his eyes. “You did all this?”
I nod, shoving my hands into my pockets and then pulling them out again. Finally, I just let them hang awkwardly at my sides. “Yes—umm I mean, no. Marie helped me decorate and Emma got the cake. Blake and Wren helped us reserve the bar. But yeah, I guess it was technically my idea.”
Knox’s eyes linger on me, making me take a step back. Before I can go too far, he closes the distance between us, grabbing my hips and pulling me into his body. I melt into him like it’s a new reflex I recently uncovered.
“That’s incredibly sweet of you, Bambi,” he says low enough so that only I can hear.
“It’s nothing,” I scoff, fighting a smile.
He lets out a small chuckle, squeezing my hips. “Thank you,” he whispers, planting his lips firmly on mine. The feeling of his mouth against mine still causes a whirlwind of warmth to take over—one that makes me forget we’re in a room full of people. Thankfully, Marie clearing her throat helps me remember. I reluctantly pull away, transitioning my body to tuck neatly into his side.
“Now that the guest of honor is here,” I announce, fighting the blush creeping up the side of my neck. “Let’s party!”
A small round of cheers breaks out across the room, earning me another well-deserved side squeeze and a chaste, but somehow steamy kiss on the side of my neck. And thenKnox leans into my ear and whispers, “We might have to sneak out later. I don’t know how I’m going to control myself with you in that skirt.”
It’s no use—the blush is in full effect now. I probably look like an overripe tomato.
“Alright, lovebirds, break it up,” Beau says, sliding between us and throwing his arms over our shoulders. “I hope the karaoke machine is warmed up because I’m ready to sing my heart out.”
“I thought you hated karaoke? In fact, you hate anything that involves you being the center of attention,” Knox observes.
“I did,” he begins, letting his eyes scan the room before settling on something across the room, “but then I realized I was depriving the world of my beautiful voice and I changed my mind.”
Knox laughs, giving Beau the side eye. “Or you think it’s fun to annoy a certain redhead.”
I look over at Marie to find her facing away from us, but judging by the tenseness of her shoulders, I can tell she’s listening.
“Can you blame me? It seemed to work for you, bro,” Beau says, slapping Knox on the back before releasing us from his hold to go grab a drink at the bar.
I quirk a brow and give Knox a questioning look, but all he does is shrug and give me a kiss on the cheek before heading into the crowd of people who are here for him tonight.
As I watch him laugh with his friends and family, he seems to glow under the neon bar lights. Sometimes I just love watching him—whether it’s with his nephew or with a client—because he has this infectious charm about him I used to resent. It used to be the thing I told myself I hated most about him, because I thought it was just a façade he used to lure clueless girls. But now I know his warm and generouspersonality is just who he is, and it makes me love him more and more every day.
Knox holds out his hand to me, inviting me to join him as he talks with his mom and dad. An intense feeling settles deep in my chest. One that feels too pure to ignore. I used to want to run away from that feeling because I knew what losing it felt like, but now I don’t feel that impending fear anymore. I don’t flinch or feel the need to run. I just take his hand and let him pull me in.
His fingers lace through mine effortlessly, and the noise of the room fades into a soft hum. He tugs me closer, pressing a kiss to the side of my forehead before turning back to his parents. His parents beam at him, giving me a curt, welcoming nod. All at once, I don’t feel like I’m standing on the outside of someone else’s happiness.
“How’s the shop coming along, Emery? Knox said you’re getting close to being ready to open,” Knox’s dad says, pulling me into the conversation.
