Chapter 146 146. Gifts
Chapter 146 146. Gifts
Tabitha’s POV
“Maybe I’ll give you your gifts tonight.”
It’s Reed’s turn to raise a brow. “Oh? Tonight? You’ve got a surprise for us, princess?”
Heat floods my cheeks. I quickly glance around, scanning the garden to make sure no one close enough overheard or twisted that into something it wasn’t.
“Don’t get too excited about it. You’ll get it later,” I say, forcing my voice steady while I fight the heat rising in my cheeks.
The smile on Jace’s lips quiver. “Can’t we have it a little earlier? Why wait until tonight?”
I bite my lip and scratch my nape. “Well, I’m—”
“There go the birthday boys!” Evelyn sweeps between us and loops her arms around Jace and Reed. “How’s it going?”
Elsie and Rhett trail behind her. Rhett just gives the brothers a curt nod while Elsie’s eyes are fixed on Reed.
“Lame. I told the old man to skip the party this year, but he wouldn’t listen,” Jace mutters.
Evren gently takes the empty plate from my hands and passes it to a nearby server. I mutter a thanks.
“What? Since when did you not like parties? Are you sick or something?”
“Leave me alone, Eve. We all know this isn’t the kind of party I like. It’s more networking than fun anyway. The old folks are just using this day as an excuse to talk about business, packs, and shits,” Jace grumbles, shrugging Evelyn’s arm off his shoulder with a playful roll of his eyes.
“Oh well, regardless of your whining, it’s you brats’ special day, so… happy birthday!” Evelyn says with bright enthusiasm.
“Thanks, Eve.” Luca smiles.
“Happy birthday, guys,” Elsie sweetly greets the brothers as well before her eyes drift back to Reed. “Happy birthday, Reed. I left your present at the table.” She points at the huge table in the middle of the garden where all the other gifts are gathered.
Reed warily shoots me a glance before he clears his throat and nods stiffly. “Thanks.”
“I wasn’t sure if you’d still like it,” Elsie adds, her gaze lingering on him a second longer than necessary. “It took me a while to decide.”
“I’m fine with anything,” Reed replies curtly, already lifting a hand to signal for another drink. A server steps forward at once, swapping his empty glass for a lowball glass of whiskey on the rocks.
“I’m not particular with gifts,” Reed insists and shoots a quick look at me.
Evelyn snorts.
“That’s funny. She spent an hour going back and forth because she said it had to be something you’d actually use.”
Elsie gives her sister a look. “It’s called putting thought into a gift.”
Luca places a hand over his chest in mock hurt.
“Wow, so Reed gets an hour of thought. What did the rest of us get? A candle on clearance?”
Jace nods solemnly. “I’m pretty sure mine still has the price sticker under it.”
Reed takes another sip of his drink, not rising to any of it. His eyes flick to me again, before shifting his eyes back to his glass. He looks uncharacteristically guarded.
“Excuse me, I didn’t get you clearance items,” Elsie says, offended.
Rhett rolls his eyes, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Don’t expect anything from me, though. I grabbed a souvenir shirt from one of the hotel shops and called it a day.”
“Tell me you at least made sure they were all the right sizes,” Luca says.
Rhett just shrugs as if he can’t be bothered by it.
“Fucker,” Jace mutters in between mouthfuls of tart.
“As for me, I did my best. It’s not easy picking out gifts for four people, you know,” Evelyn admits. Then, she turns to me and winks. “How ‘bout you, Tabi? What did you get for your cheeky stepbrothers?”
“That’s for us to find out later…” Reed cuts in, draping an arm over my shoulder. His smirk hits me like a spark, sending a shiver across my skin. “Right, our dear stepsister?” He tilts his head, eyes glinting with mischief.
“Y-Yeah…”
“I can’t wait to see how you’re planning to drive all of us crazy tonight,” Reed speaks through the mindlink. “Four of us, and you saved all the best mischief for later… you little tease.”
My cheeks flare. I glare at him, but keep silent, unable to respond. Elsie’s lips twitch, and her gaze hops from Reed to me, lingering a fraction too long before she shifts it elsewhere.