Katie Ashley - Strings of the Heart

I shrugged. “I could ask you the same thing.”

“Well, I decided to have a smoke after finding your brother and Abby swimming in the fountain.”

I widened my eyes in surprise. “Is that why he’s all wet?”

Rhys laughed. “Yeah, it is. Not quite sure how they both ended up soaking wet, but I’m sure there’s a pretty good story about how it happened.” He winked at me. “Maybe even a naughty one.”

A warm flush filled my cheeks at his words and gesture. From the smoldering looks Jake had been giving his new girlfriend all night, I could imagine there was definitely something naughty behind why they ended up in the fountain. But I had also been glad to see the way he looked at her with love in his eyes, too. Since I was a romantic at heart, I hoped he had found someone to settle down with.

Shifting on my heels, I cleared my throat. “I just wanted to say thanks again for playing at my party. It was amazing.”

Rhys grinned as he reached in his pocket. After he dug out a tin of mints, he popped a couple in his mouth. When he offered me one, I shook my head. “You’re welcome,” he said.

Taking a few tentative steps closer to him, I said, “You always seem to be doing nice things for me. I mean, you saved me all those years ago and now you’re making my Sweet Sixteen something that everyone will be talking about at school on Monday.”

“Regardless of the fact that Jake would’ve whipped my ass if I had said no to your party, I was glad to do it.” He cupped my chin. “Anything for you, Allie-Bean.”

His simple touch sent my heartbeat thrumming wildly in my chest. Since it seemed so loud in my ears, I hoped that he wouldn’t be able to hear it over the roar of the fountain. “I’m glad to hear that,” I whispered breathlessly.

“I have something for you.”

“Y-You do?”

He cocked his dark brows at me. “Do you think I’d come play at your birthday party without getting you a gift?”

“The fact you came and played is more than enough of a present,” I countered.

He reached in his suit pocket again. This time he brought out a small jewelry box with a pink bow. He thrust it at me. “Happy Birthday, Allie-Bean.”

Oh. My. God. He’d gotten me jewelry? With shaky hands, I reached forward and took the box from him. I don’t know how my trembling fingers managed to undo the bow, but when I did, I slid it off and opened the lid. Peeling away the tissue paper, I found a round pendant on a silver chain. A hand-painted white magnolia with glittering leaves of vibrant green filled the pendant. “Oh, it’s so beautiful,” I gasped, as I took it into my hand.

“You really like it?” he questioned, his voice lacking the confidence it usually had.

“Yes. Yes, of course I do,” I quickly replied, never taking my eyes off the necklace.

“When I saw it, I thought of you. A magnolia is a delicate and pretty Southern symbol, and you’re a pretty Southern girl.”

“I’ve always loved magnolias. Wherever did you find it?”

“My sister makes them. Well, she paints them.”

I jerked my gaze up to meet his. “Your sister?” In the three years I’d known Rhys, he’d rarely talked about his family, least of all mentioning a sister. I had assumed that he was an only child.

His expression saddened as he rubbed his neck furiously with one of his hands. “Yeah, my younger sister, Ellie. She’s really talented when it comes to painting.”

“We have something in common then,” I said, thinking about how I loved to draw and sketch. My dream was to one day become a fashion designer and have my own clothing line.

“Yes, you’re both artistic,” he murmured softly.

Sensing that was all I was going to get out of him, I smiled and replied, “Please thank her for me, and tell her what beautiful work she does.”

Gratitude replaced the sadness on his face. “I will.”

I held out the chain. “Will you put it on me?”

He frowned. “But it doesn’t match your dress.”

“I don’t care. I want to wear it.”

“You seriously want to wear it now?” he asked incredulously.

There was something so endearing about how much he wanted the necklace to please me. It made me want to throw my arms around his neck and smother his face with grateful kisses. “Of course I do. I think it’s my most favorite gift I’ve received tonight.”

As he took the chain from me, his lips quirked up, as if he was smirking at me. “I think you’re just humoring me.”

Furiously, I shook my head from side to side, trying to show him my sincerity. “No, I’m telling the truth—I promise.” I turned around and lifted up my mass of loose curls so he could put the necklace on me. Once I heard the clasp fasten closed with a snap, I turned around. “Thank you, Rhys. I’ll always think of you when I wear it.”

He gave me a genuine smile that melted my heart. “You do that.” As I absently ran my fingers over the magnolia, Rhys asked, “Now was there a reason why you came out here to see me, Allie-Bean?”

My fingers froze as I felt a warm flush fill my cheeks. “Oh, um, never mind. It wasn’t important.”

“Sure it was.”

I nibbled on my bottom lip. “I just wondered if you would…” I swallowed hard, trying to muster my strength.

“If I would what?” Rhys prodded.

“Give me a birthday kiss,” I whispered.

When a beaming smile lit up his face, I felt like I might combust. “Well, I’m happy to oblige your request, young lady.” He leaned in and bestowed a tender kiss on my cheek. I couldn’t hide my disappointment, and I guess he noticed when he pulled back. “What’s wrong? Don’t tell me I did it wrong,” he teased.

“No, you didn’t. It’s just…” While my heart beat out-of-control, the voice in my mind was strong as it goaded me. Go on, Allison. You can do it . “I wanted a real kiss from you.”

Rhys’s smile instantly faded. His brows shot up into his hairline as his chocolate brown eyes widened in disbelief. “You want a kiss from me? ”

I couldn’t believe I was still standing in front of him, least of all bobbing my head. “I want you to be my first kiss,” I blurted before I could stop myself.

“Sweet Sixteen and never been kissed?” he questioned almost incredulously.

His surprise caused embarrassment to flood my face. “Not properly really—not by someone I really wanted to kiss.”

“And you want to kiss me?”

“Yes. Very much,” I whispered.

A strangled noise came from the back of his throat. “I can’t believe this,” he murmured.

I glanced down at my silver heels peeking out from my hemline. “I’m sorry.”

Rhys’s fingers gripped my chin and lifted my gaze to his. “Don’t be sorry, Allie-Bean. It’s just, you’re jailbait for me,” he protested.

“But it’s not like that really.”

“Oh, I’m sure Jake and your parents would certainly disagree.”

Although part of me wanted to turn and run, I stood my ground. I’d come too far to give up now. “It’s just a kiss. No one will ever have to know but you and me.”

With a wry look, he said, “And your two friends who practically have their noses pressed to the glass right now watching us.”

I whirled around to glare at Mallory and Kim. With a hasty flick of my wrist, they instantly backed away from the window and then disappeared. “Sorry about that,” I mumbled.

When I dared myself to glance at Rhys, he appeared to be raging war on himself. I took a tentative step forward, closing the small gap between us. In a voice I almost didn’t recognize, I said, “Make this the happiest night of my life by kissing me.”

“But if Jake caught us or found out—” Rhys cast a glance around the patio as if searching for Jake’s wrathful gaze.