She attempts to shake me, but she doesn’t have the strength. “You naughty boy. I had no idea you’re engaged!”

“I’m not,” I reply flatly.

“Emmett.” My father’s warning slices through the air.

Alexander laughs.

Ignacio laughs too, confused about what’s going on.

Fay Davenport looks like she’d like to chop off my head, and Lainey does absolutely nothing. It’s like I’m not even here.

The only free seat at the table is beside her. I can’t stand the idea of them orchestrating the seating arrangement before my arrival as if all we need is a meal together to fall madly in love, thus resolving this entire issue.

A server hurries over to pull out the chair, but I wave him off and do it myself. It screeches ominously, and I don’t miss Lainey’s flinch.

So she is aware of me.

It’s fitting considering I’m despicably, annoyingly, desperately aware of her. She’s wearing a tight long-sleeved red velvet dress that hugs her figure. The deep V-neckline showcases a diamond choker, but her ring finger is still bare. Odd considering the ruby I gifted her would have gone perfectly with her outfit.

“Where’s your ring?” I ask once I take my seat.

She curls her left hand into a small fist then tucks it into her lap. “I’m having it resized.”

“What a shame. I’m sure it pains you not to have it on your finger to show proof of ownership.”

“Charming.”

She turns her body slightly away from me, a subtle way of telling me to fuck off, I think.

I almost smile.

“I wasn’t aware you would be here tonight. I hope you aren’t expecting a gift.”

“No need to worry,” Alexander says, interrupting our private conversation. “I brought you a little something, Lainey.”

She perks up and peers over at my brother with a curious smile.

Vines of annoyance grow up and around my neck, tightening my throat.

“What a friendly gesture, brother. When did you find the time? Are we not giving you enough to do at GHV?”

Alexander only laughs, enjoying this all a bit too much.

He retrieves three Cartier gift boxes from a bag that must have been resting at his feet. “I was going to save these until after dinner, but why wait?”

He distributes them to Maman, Fay, and Lainey. They thank him and tell him it wasn’t necessary then open them in tandem to reveal matching emerald and diamond tennis bracelets.

Lainey’s cheeks color pink with delight as she lifts it up out of the box and admires it in the warm light of the chandeliers.

“It’s stunning, Alexander. Truly. You shouldn’t have.”

Down at the other end of the table, Maman squeals with glee and immediately begs Ignacio to help her put on her bracelet.

Even Fay gives Alexander an approving smile.

Lainey leans over the table toward him, her voice low as she reveals, “I’ve never been gifted jewelry before…well, not from anyone but my grandmother.”

Her voice sounds annoyingly intimate. It’s like I’m not even sitting here.