Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“Even though I feel terribly guilty, I do. I really do,” she says, nodding.
“Be right back.” Reluctantly, I let go of her, climb to my feet, and make my way to the small tree on the table in the corner.
“No big tree?” she asks.
“Nah, but next year, if you want one, we’ll go all out.” I grab the gift and turn to hold it up, and see I’ve left her speechless. At least if the way her mouth is hanging open is any indication, she’s speechless.
“You really mean that, don’t you?” she asks, her head tilted slightly as she studies me.
“More than anything,” I say, taking my seat back. I put my arm around her and pull her closer before handing her the small box. “There’s another gift, but it’s one I’m not really sure about, and if you hate it, it’s not a big deal. I just saw it, and it made me think of you, but this one first.” I nod toward the small package in her hands.
A rare, shy smile tilts her lips as she begins to tear open the package. When she opens the square box, she gasps. Her eyes flash to mine before they go back to the box.
“Macklin, this is stunning.” She pulls the diamond horseshoe necklace out of the box and holds it up. It shimmers in the low light of the candles that I’ve lit around the room.
“When I saw it, I knew it would look perfect on you,” I tell her.
That earns me a radiant smile. “Will you put it on me?” she asks, handing me the necklace before I can answer, because she knows that there isn’t anything I wouldn’t give her if it’s within my reach.
“Turn,” I say, my voice gruff. She lifts her hair off her neck, and I make quick work of fastening the necklace. Unable to help myself, I bend and press a soft kiss to her nape. She shivers at the contact, and I pull back. I can’t be trusted not to keep going and strip her out of everything but this necklace. “Done,” I rasp.
She turns to face me. “I love it. Thank you so much, Mac.” She leans in and wraps her arms around me in a hug, and I lean into her embrace.
“You’re welcome,” I tell her as she pulls back. “You ready for the second gift?”
“There’s no way you could top this one, but yes. Bring it on.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back.” I stand again and move to the small tree, grabbing the box I stashed behind the table earlier. “As I said, this one is kind of, well… you’re too old for it, but it made me think of you, and…” I shrug. I don’t know what else to say about it.
“Gimme, McBride.” She holds out her hands and wiggles her fingers.
“My feelings won’t be hurt, and we can toss it or donate it or whatever,” I tell her.
“I’m sure it’s perfect,” she assures me as she takes the package from my hand. She waits until I’m seated next to her before she starts, tearing into the packaging. Paper is flying, and I hear her gasp. “Stop it! You did not.” She examines the box before hugging it to her chest. “Macklin, this is awesome. Can we do it now? I mean, did you have your heart set on a movie?” she asks, hopeful.
“Baylor, the only thing I have my heart set on is you. The rest is just a bonus. If this is what you want to do, then we’ll do it. Do you want to do it here or at the table?”
“Here.” She dances and wiggles with excitement. “I made these all the time as a kid,” she says, nodding to the friendship bracelet kit in her hands.
“I know. I still have them.”
“What? No. You do not.”
“I do.” I nod. “I don’t know why, but I kept them. It wasn’t until years later, when I realized I was falling for you, that I understood why. Back then, you were too young, and I was too focused on joining the circuit. But when I came home that year you graduated, and I saw you, it clicked. I went back to Mom’s, where I was staying at the time, and dug them out of my nightstand.”
“Can I see them?”
“Sure.” I shrug. “You want to go with me to get them?”
“Is that a real question?” She laughs as we both climb to our feet. She loops her arm around mine as I lead us to my bedroom. Flipping on the light, I move to the nightstand, remove the small velvet bag, and hand it to her.
I watch as she pulls open the strings, reaches inside, and pulls out the handful of bracelets she made me all those years ago. “Macklin—” she breathes. She lifts her head, and her eyes are swimming with tears. “I can’t believe you kept these.”