“It’s time to cut the cake!” Rowan states an hour later, and I shake my head at her.

“You knew the whole time.” I scowl.

“Of course, I did. Had to make it believable. Between you and your brother, you love to ruin surprises.”

I’m reminded of the time I caught my parents putting presents under the tree. It was then that I realized it was all a lie. Funny enough, Kane had caught them the same night. We believed for each other’s sake even though we both knew the truth.

“Okay, but that happened one time.”

“Shall I bring up the Easter Bunny?” Kaitlyn walks up, laughing.

“And the Tooth Fairy,” Kane reminds me.

Kaitlyn clears her throat. “And y’all wonder why I say you ruined my innocent childhood.”

“Innocent?” Kane asks, amused. “You know you wouldn’t trade either of us for the world.”

I wrap my arm around my brother. “Yeah, what’s better than one asshole?”

“Two,” he adds with a chuckle.

“Yeah, well this is why I’m the favorite child.”

“I love you all equally!” our mom shouts from behind.

Kaitlyn leans in. “She’s lying. I’m the youngest and the only girl. The golden one.”

“Keep up that attitude, and you’re gonna get the Bishop twin curse,” I warn.

“Yeah, right. Imma need a sperm donor for that to happen.”

Right on cue, Payton walks up. “Happy Birthday,” he tells us.

He gives us each a solid handshake, and I make googly eyes at Kaitlyn. Heat rushes to her cheeks as she gives me a death glare.

I lean in so only she can hear me. “He’s built like a tractor. Bet he has some good genes to offer.”

She nudges me with a scowl. “Shut up.”

I chuckle at how easy it is to rile her up.

Hadleigh returns after chatting with Grandma, then interlocks her fingers with mine. I kiss her knuckles as Kane chats with Payton.

“I don’t know how you were able to get everyone together. And where the hell did they all park?”

“Mostly in the back and on the side streets. Planning this was easy once I got your grandma involved.”

“So you weren’t really in San Angelo?”

“Of course not. I have spare clothes in the back seat of my Jeep, but I needed a story so you wouldn’t suspect anything.”

I lean in and kiss her as cake and ice cream are served. There are lots of people here from town, along with my entire family. I honestly thought today would be like any other day, but I feel so lucky. It’s times like this I like being wrong.

After Kane and I unwrap the few gifts, people start saying goodbye and heading out.

“Want us to help clean up?” I ask my uncle John and Evan.

“Nah, go enjoy your day.”