Page 114 of Finding Redemption

“I can’t. I’m so full.” She reaches for the card. “Can I see it?”

“No, I don’t care about it. Here, Mom. Toss this for me.”

“Sure.” Mom smiles at me with wide eyes.

“What’s going on? I’m an attorney, not an idiot.” Reese stares at me until I break.

“It’s for my birthday.”

“When is your birthday, Walker?” Reese narrows her eyes. I glance around the room and no one comes to my defense.

“Today.”

She blinks rapidly, letting it sink in. “Today? Like, my birthday is today and so is yours? Or today’s my birthday and yours?” Her eyes flame and I’m thinking it isn’t from desire.

“I believe those examples are the same thing.” Riley snorts, ducking behind Ava.

“Riley, leave your brother alone,” Mom says, not helping me.

“Why would you not tell me?” Her forehead creases.

“I wanted today to be about you. Please, don’t be upset.”

“Well, hell, Walker. Yes, I’m upset.” She stands and leaves the room.

“If you’ll excuse me.”

“Walker, I think Danielle and I will go ahead and call it a night,” Alden interrupts me.

“Riley, would you call the car? Thank you both for coming, I’ll have her call in the morning on our way home. Danielle, it’s been a pleasure.” I kiss her hand.

“She’ll be fine. It’s good to meet you all,” Danielle says.

I follow Reese out the door, leaving our family to say their goodbyes. “Reese? Reese!”

“What?” she snaps at me. I can’t see her, but I know she’s close. “Open the damn truck. I want my bag.”

“Are you kidding me?”

She steps from the side, her hands on her hips. “No, asshole. I’m going home.”

“Reese.” I sigh, unlocking the door. “Please, don’t. I apologize. I should’ve been honest with you. I planned on telling you tomorrow.”

She jerks her bag from the back seat. Losing her balance, she falls backward into my arms. “I gotcha.” I catch her, standing her on her feet. “Are you all right?”

She keeps her head down, toeing the pavement. “Why wouldn’t you tell me? I felt like a fool in there in front of all of them.”

“I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t think about how it would make you feel. I wanted to make the night about you. I fucked up.”

“It was sweet, probably the best thing anyone has done for me.” Her hesitation scares me. “It would’ve been better had we celebrated together. I kept waiting for you to tell me or even mention it.”

“So, you knew? How long have you known?”

“Just a couple of days. The birthday card in your office. I wasn’t sure of the exact date.” She shrugs. “I decided to snoop your social media. I know it was wrong of me. That’s why I can’t be too upset with you. By the way, you need updates. It’s been years.”

“Stalker.”

She holds her hands in the air. “I know, I know. Look at us, a control freak and a stalker.”