Chapter 81
We definitely got a little carried away in the Christmas store… or, I guess I did. I couldn’t get enough of all the different ornaments. They had everything from traditional Christmas figurines like reindeer and snowmen, to more modern, random things like sushi rolls and pizza slices.
There was a whole section dedicated just to sexy mermen for some reason, and I spent more of Jay’s cash than I should have on several of them, squealing and laughing at how lifelike and hilarious some of them were.
Jay watched me silently, and though I couldn’t see the bottom half of his face, it was impossible to miss the way his eyes crinkled at the corners every time another treasure caught my eye, sending me into another fit of giggles.
“I had no idea you loved Christmas so much,” he said as he paid for my ornaments, smiling behind his scarf at the nice lady as she carefully packed up my bag.
I shrugged, beaming at my sack full of festive mermen.
“I love capitalist Coca-Cola Christmas.” I laughed, feeling my cheeks tinge pink.
“I know that’s probably horrible to say, but just something about the cheesy decorations and exchanging presents with the people you love and playing corny Christmas music that you only listen to once a year…
My mom, Dad, and I used to have so much fun decorating.
None of us has one religious bone in our bodies, but… man, did we all love Christmas time.”
Jay was staring at me with a strange look, and I paused as we made our way back out onto the street.
“What?” I asked, and he shrugged, wrapping his arm casually around my shoulder in a way that he would have hesitated to do even just a few weeks ago.
“Nothing. I just want to make sure you have that again. The cheesy decorations and the corny music and the… presents. I want you to have everything you want, Milo.”
“Jay… I already have everything I want,” I said seriously, stopping so I could face him properly. “I have you.”
I reached up with my gloved hand to cup the side of his face, wishing it was safe enough for me to tug down his scarf and kiss him senseless.
He stared at me with those soft, copper eyes of his, and I think for one shining, brief moment, he believed me.
He believed that I wanted him.
That he was all I wanted, and it was the most beautiful thing.
“Milo! Jay!” Our gazes tore away from each other at the sound of my mother’s voice. She was waving frantically to us from the cafe, beckoning us to come closer.
I frowned, and Jay and I exchanged a look.
“Come over here! You don’t want to miss this!” she called again before disappearing back into the busy cafe.
“She’s excited about something,” I mused, and Jay grunted in agreement, though he seemed much more tense now for some reason.
“Let’s go see what’s going on,” I said, and Jay nodded silently, sliding his hand into mine so he could keep me close as we crossed the street to see what my mother was so excited about.