"I’m going to get Sarah," I announce over my shoulder as I walk away, dismissing any further conversation.
When I push open the door, I suck in deep, filling my lungs with the cool, crisp air I hope will calm me down. I glance around, searching for Sarah, but don’t see her anywhere. Once I walk to the side closest to the parking lot, I find her sitting on a bench. She’s leaning over and her hair is curtaining her face. Damn it, I hate seeing her this upset. Why the fuck did they give her that necklace tonight? It ruined everything.
"Sarah," I say quietly so as not to scare her.
Her head snaps up, and I swear, for a minute, every planet orbits around her. I have never in my life seen a smile so breathtakingly genuine. It doesn’t show just on her gorgeous mouth; it radiates through her entire body. Damn it if Emma wasn’t right. She’s so fucking happy. I fully expected her to be a wreck, but she’s anything but right now.
"Hey." She slides over an inch and pats the bench next to her.
"You’re beautiful," I tell her, knowing it’s not nearly enough.
"Yeah, I’m sure I look amazing right now. Is my eye makeup running?" She sweeps a thumb under her eyes, holding the open box tight in her other hand.
"Nah, you’re good." I drape my arm around her shoulders and pull her into my side.
She cuddles in close and lets out a content hum. "I think this is the best birthday I’ve ever had."
"Really?"
"You have no idea how much this means to me." She uses a finger to toy with the heart charm.
"You want to tell me about it?" I look down questioningly.
"Yeah. I think I do." She smiles then kisses me softly on the lips. "You want to take a stroll with me?"
"Sure. Where we going?"
"Memory lane." She stands up, dragging me up with her. "Will you put this on me?" She lifts the necklace from the box and very carefully hands it to me.
I fasten it around her neck, finishing with a wet kiss on her shoulder.
"Let’s go back in. I need to ask Caleb something."
"I may have screwed up and showed my ass," I tell her awkwardly.
"What?"
"I got pissed that they gave you that tonight. I thought it upset you on your birthday." I decide to leave out the rest of the argument. "It appears this is one of those very rare occasions in which I’m wrong."
"Very rare, huh?" She begins laughing—and not because she heard something funny. She’s straight up laughing at me.
"Extremely."
"Aw, did you get upset because someone made me cry?" she questions in a mocking baby voice.
"I’m serious, Sarah. I was pissed."
She wraps her arms around my waist and starts laughing again. "Oh God. What did you say?"
"I don’t even remember exactly. But I’m pretty sure I called you my woman and pissed on someone’s leg."
"Damn. I would have loved to see you go head-to-head with Caleb. I’m actually really sorry I missed that." She folds over in hysterics.
"Sarah, stop," I say seriously then burst out laughing right alongside her. "Caleb didn’t even have a chance to say anything. Emma had it all covered."
"Oh, well, she probably deserved it then. She’s always trying to get up in my shit. I think she forgets that she’s my baby sister sometimes."
"She called me a cocky douche." I feign injury and Sarah laughs even louder.
"Damn it. Why do I always miss the good stuff?"
"I’m glad you find this entertaining."
"I absolutely do. Now, come on, tough guy. Time for round two."
I let out a groan as she pulls me toward the restaurant door.
"THANK YOU so much." I throw my arms around Caleb’s neck the second we get back to the table. I can tell that he doesn’t know how to react, but he finally gives me an awkward hug.
"You’re welcome. I’m really sorry I didn’t give it to you sooner."
"No, really, today was the perfect time." I look down to see Emma’s prideful grin. I’m one hundred percent positive that giving me this tonight was not Caleb’s idea. I reach up, clench the necklace in my palm, and mouth, "Thank you," to Emma.
She replies with a wink.
"I think I may have overreacted," Leo says, extending a hand to Caleb.
He smirks and shakes his hand. "I’ve done worse."
Leo turns to Emma, but before he can even open his mouth, she smacks him on the arm.
"You are really lucky that I like overprotective assholes."
Leo nods and Emma and I both bust out laughing.
"Hey, any chance we can swing by tonight and get that box?" I ask as we start gathering our stuff to leave.
Emma’s eyes go wide and flash to Leo. "Yes!" she exclaims loudly.
I give her a suspicious look, but she shrugs and rushes out of the restaurant.