Seeing Diana's reaction, Chaney added nervously, "Diana, I will be good to you and Abby. I swear!"
Diana bit her lip. "Chaney, I have told you before that I view you as a brother."
Those few painful words caused Chaney to lose control for a moment. The necklace in his hand fell to the ground.
"I am sorry," Diana uttered.
Chaney forced himself to smile.
"It's okay, I understand. So how about accepting your brother's little gift?"
He picked up the necklace and showed it to Diana.
"I spent a lot of time choosing it. Please do not refuse me again."
His smile relieved Diana from her feeling of awkwardness. She grinned and reached out her hand to take the necklace. It was a delicate piece with a small deer-shaped pendant.
"May I?" Chaney offered.
Diana ignored the voice in her mind that told her to refuse. It was a nice necklace, after all.
"Okay, if you insist…"
