CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Garrick
It’s strange knowing there’s someone other than Barry waiting for me.
Coming home is typically a lonely experience. For someone who grew up in a full house, I thought I’d like to be alone, but it’s too quiet in my house, too hollow.
Inside, Blue’s on the couch with Barry’s head on her lap. She smiles at me when I step inside and shut the door. She looks genuinely happy to see me, and a pang of want hits me so hard it brings tears to my eyes. I want this. I want to have a home instead of a house, to share my life with someone.
And the only someone I can picture in that vague future with me is Blue.
“That smells fantastic,” she says, breaking the spell.
Right, she’s not smiling at me, she’s smiling for the food.
I set the bag on the coffee table, grab plates from the kitchen, and sit on the other side of Barry. She looks over at me, eyes lowered, because she knows she’s not supposed to be on the couch.
“Sorry, buddy, you can’t be up here while we’re eating.”
Barry hops down and goes to her doggy bed next to the kitchen.
“She listens well,” Blue says.
“She’s a good dog.”
I turn on Christmas music, and we eat in companionable silence. For the first time in as long as I can remember, this house feels like a real home. Blue’s presence has done more to accomplish that then buying out the Christmas decor section of Mrs. Claus’ Holiday Chalet did.
“This is so good,” Blue says as she finishes her pad Thai. “It’s as good as anything I’ve had in Vegas.”
“The food here is one of the major draws for visitors.”
She drops her fork onto her plate and turns to me, wide-eyed. “No. How do I not know that?”
“Probably because you haven’t spent a lot of time working with tourists. Of course, people come here for the Christmas cheer, but knowing they’re getting good food is definitely another reason to make the trip. Sugar Valley has decent restaurants, but the focus there is skiing. Here, food really matters.”
She nods as she chews. “That makes so much sense.”
“It’s one of those things you won’t see on a spreadsheet or a report.”
I take our empty plates to the sink. Blue carries the leftovers to the kitchen and helps me put everything away. We work well together, without needing words to understand what needs to be done.
“Okay.” I clap my hands together. “Time for the rest of the presents.”
She looks over at the pile of gifts next to the couch. “There are so many.”
“The advantage of having a big family. Don’t get too excited. The downside to a big family gift exchange is that there are a lot of presents to buy and it’s hard to come up with the right gift for everyone.”
“It’s the thought that counts.”
We settle back on the couch, and I hand her a present from the top of the pile.
She smiles as she reads the small card attached to the top. “It’s from Maisey.” She digs in the gift bag, pulls out a book, and starts laughing.
“What’s so funny? Did she pick something totally off base?”
“Not at all.” Blue’s smile is bright even though she’s still looking sleepy. I like her looking sleepy in my house. “I got her the exact same book.”
“Have you already read it?”
“Nope. It’s a hugely popular romantasy that it seems like everyone is reading. I’ll have to text her to find out if she’s already read it.” She grabs a gift from the top of my pile and hands it over. “Your turn.”
Maisey got me a flannel shirt and a sweater. Always useful. We go through the rest of the gifts, taking turns. Everything’s pretty generic. Blue gets a lot of lotions and scarves. I get a lot of scarves and flashlights. Useful stuff, I guess, for people to give each other when they don’t know each other very well anymore.
We get to our presents for each other last.
I hand Blue mine, feeling oddly nervous. I was so confident when I picked it out, but having spent some time with her, I’m not at all sure it’s the right thing for her.
She unwraps it in a flurry of paper and gasps. “It’s beautiful.”
I wince as she twists and turns the snow globe with a miniature town office inside. “Is it too touristy?”
Her smile when she looks up at me seems genuine. “I love touristy stuff. It’s perfect.” She grabs the last two packages from my pile and hands me the smaller one first. “Open this.”
I do as she asks and hold up the bottle. “Window washer?”
She shrugs. “In case anyone else decides to write on the windows of your truck.”
I laugh. “Hopefully, I’ll never need this.”
She shoves the next present in my hands. “That was a joke. Open this one.”
This package is larger than the last, flat and wide. I’m prepared for another joke, but when I open it I find one of those fancy digital calendars. I’ve been wanting one for the office for ages, but they’re pricey and I couldn’t justify the expense. “Blue. This is too much.”
“It’s just right as a gift from a loving girlfriend.” She pats my arm and makes a kissy face before leaning back with a shrug. “If I’d known you wouldn’t be opening it in front of your family, though…”
“We can return it.” I slide the device back into its box. “And get you your money back.”
“Sorry,” she says in a sing-song voice. “It was on sale and you desperately need it. That dry-erase calendar you have is barely legible. Consider it a gift for your business if it makes you feel better.”
“I’ll pay you for it.” I really don’t like the way this gift is making me feel. It’s too thoughtful. Far more thoughtful than anything from my family.
She smiles and shakes her head. “Seriously, Garrick, it’s fine. It wasn’t that expensive, and it is my fault you can’t get your permits. Just accept the gift.”
I put the calendar on the coffee table and pull her into my arms for a hug. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She laughs and pushes out of my arms. “Stop making this awkward. It’s not a big deal.”
She gets up and picks up wrapping paper and gift bags. “Want to save any of this?”
“I don’t have space to store it in my house. Take whatever you want and pitch the rest.” I get up to help her, but she’s already got it all and is heading toward the kitchen. My sweats swallow her.
“Stay,” I say as she’s bent over in the kitchen, stuffing all the paper and bags in the trash.
She stands up fast and looks at me, eyes wide. “What?”
The way I want her to stay here with me feels like more than lust or friendship. It’s a new feeling and one I should be avoiding. I should push her out the door and keep my distance, but I don’t think I’d be able to stay away from her. “It’s snowing and cold out there. I don’t want to go back out to take you home. Why don’t you just stay?”
Her shoulders drop, and her expression relaxes. “I guess it is getting late. And Cherry isn’t expecting me to pick up Lilith until tomorrow.”
I get up and cross the room to her, not feeling quite right until I’m standing in her space, my hands on her hips. “Technically, we’re still on vacation. And I’m well stocked up on condoms.”
She bites her lower lip and looks away. “I’m not sure…”
I back off instantly. “That’s fine. I’ll sleep on the couch, or I’ll take you home. Whatever you want.”
She laughs, grabs my hands, and puts them back on her hips. “What I was going to say is I’m not sure which position I want you to fuck me in first.”
My cock goes instantly hard and my pulse hammers. “We have all night. We can try them all.”
She pops onto her toes and kisses me.