Chapter 1

I was completely caught off guard. I stared at Emily Carter and my parents, Nathan Morgan and Jennifer Williams, in disbelief.

They all seemed to be waiting for me to take off the ring.

Freddie Morgan raised an eyebrow at me, his tone playful. "Richard, you're not seriously going back on your word, are you?"

Mom chimed in with a laugh. "Come on, Richard. Freddie just wants to wear it for a couple of days. Don't be so possessive. You made the bet, so you have to honor it."

I lowered my eyes with a bitter smile. The ring was painfully tight around my ring finger, but I forced it off and handed it to Emily.

A red mark remained across my finger where the ring had been.

"Here."

Emily took the ring and carefully slipped it onto Freddie's ring finger.

"I thought Freddie was too young to pull off this blue diamond ring, but it actually looks better on him than it did on Richard."

My parents beamed as they admired it on Freddie.

"Freddie, be careful with it. Don't lose it, or you'll have to answer to Emily."

Emily simply smiled. "It's just a ring. If you lose it, I can always buy another one just like it.

"Just keep that playful energy of yours. Don't become dull like your brother. You're the one who keeps this family smiling."

She patted Freddie on the shoulder while my parents fussed over him.

I stood there like a complete outsider.

I turned and went to the bathroom, mechanically rubbing the red mark on my ring finger as a wave of disappointment washed over me. Today was supposed to be my engagement party—the happiest day of my life.

Then I heard footsteps behind me.

Emily wrapped her arms around me from behind and pressed a gentle kiss against my back.

"You're too old to be sulking over a ring," she said. "It's just a ring. Whether you have it or not, everyone in the family knows you're going to be my husband."

She took my hand and gently rubbed the swollen mark on my finger. "I know your hand would look great with a natural diamond. Let's go get you one."

I turned and pushed her away, putting some distance between us. "Emily, are you really taking Freddie on our honeymoon?"

"Of course," she answered without hesitation. Richard, you've always kept your word. Why are you suddenly being a sore loser over a game? Freddie's going to graduate soon, so I'm thinking of moving the trip up to before the wedding. It can be his graduation trip."

I stared at her, finding the whole thing utterly absurd.

Emily looked at me, smiled, and gently rubbed my cheeks. "That idiot wants to try cliff bungee jumping by the ocean. We have to let him do it at least once before he graduates."

She then added, "I remember you're afraid of heights. You wouldn't enjoy the trip anyway. Besides, you can hold down the fort at the company while I'm gone, honey."