Chapter 10 #2
“Oh, it gets better. Once you’re settled, I’ll dim the lights and light the candles.”
“Really?” Her eyes brighten even more, and I’m mentally patting myself on the back. “I can’t believe you did all of this.”
“I told you that all you had to do was give me a chance to show you.”
“This is…” Her voice trails off. I watch her throat bob before she tries again. “You know I don’t need this, right? I don’t need you to open doors for me or make big, romantic gestures.”
“You don’t need it, but I do. I like opening your door, and this”—I wave my hand around the living room—“was a blast, making my vision come to life, just at the mere thought of seeing a smile on your face. And I have to tell you, Bay, the real thing is so much better than I could have imagined.”
“What can I do to help?”
“Sit your pretty ass down, get comfortable.” She does as I ask, and I hand her the pizza box. “Beer, wine, water, sweet tea, and I got some of that cream soda you like.”
“Sweet tea, please.”
“I’ll be right back.” Rushing to the kitchen, I grab our drinks.
I already had plates, napkins, and even a small trash can set up by the mound of pillows and blankets on the floor.
Back in the living room, I sit next to her on the cloud I’ve created, hand her the remote, and serve us both up a slice of pizza.
We eat and talk about our days, not even bothering to choose a movie, just enjoying each other’s company.
The night has barely begun, and I already know I never want it to end.
One day, she’ll be here, and when the night is over, instead of going home or to my guest room, she’ll come to bed with me.
“I’m so full.” She groans, tossing her napkin on her empty plate.
“Good.” I move the pizza box and our trash to the side before leaning back against the pillows that are resting against the couch. “Ready for a movie? We’ll let this pizza settle before I make us our sundaes.”
“Yes.” She moves to settle next to me, and while I said I wouldn’t push her, I test the waters by wrapping my arm around her shoulders. She moves closer, resting against my chest.
I can’t stop myself from pressing a kiss to the top of her head. She tilts back to peer up at me. “What took you so long to ask me to dinner again?” Her tone is soft, and I can see the question in her eyes.
“It wasn’t because I didn’t want to. I showed restraint for two very long weeks,” I say dramatically, and she laughs. “I told you that I wouldn’t pressure you, but tonight, I had a reason to see you.”
“You did?” She wrinkles up her nose. “And not quite two weeks. Not until Monday. It’s Friday now, so you didn’t make it.” She giggles, and I wish I could record the sound to listen to on the nights when this house feels too empty without her in it.
“I did. I have to give you your Christmas gift.” Her eyes widen.
“You got me a Christmas gift?”
“Of course, I did.”
Her face falls. “I didn’t— Macklin,” she breathes.
“I didn’t buy you a gift because I wanted one in return. Honestly, Baylor, you being here, letting me hold you like this? That’s the best fucking present you could have ever given me.”
“I feel bad,” she says, her tone full of regret.
“Don’t feel bad. You said you needed time. I’ve been trying to respect that. I also told you I would prove I’m going to be there. Besides, I’ve waited years to be able to spoil you. I have to capitalize on that while I can.” I wink, and her frown evens out. “Do you want to open it now?”
“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.”
I shrug, because to be honest, back then, I didn’t see her as anything other than Ellison’s little sister.
I hated the thought of tossing them because of the proud smile she gave each of us as she handed them out.
Maybe subconsciously it was something more—that’s what I’m allowing myself to believe.
I wasn’t ready. She was far too young and wasn’t even on my radar back then.
However, this tiny bag of homemade bracelets connects us.
“This is everything.” She stares down at the bracelets a little longer before shoving them back into the small velvet bag and pulling the string tight. Two steps, and she’s standing toe-to-toe with me. “Here,” she says, offering me the bag.
I take the bag and toss it back into the nightstand. When I turn around, she’s staring at me. Her eyes are still glassy, and her smile is the biggest I’ve ever seen from her. I’m so lost in the smile directed at me that I don’t notice her hand lifting until it’s resting against my cheek.
She now has my full attention.
Rising on her tiptoes, she says breathily, “Thank you, Macklin,” before her lips press to mine.
It’s just a quick peck as far as kisses go, but she initiated it.
“Best Christmas gift ever,” I whisper against her lips.
She giggles as she drops her hand from my cheek and takes a step back.
She pulls in a deep breath and slowly exhales before offering me her hand.
“Come on, cowboy. Let’s go make some bracelets. ”
I place my hand in hers, because there is no question that I’ll follow this woman anywhere.
We settle into our pillow oasis, as she likes to call it, and the rest of the night, we laugh, talk, and make friendship bracelets.
It’s not at all how I thought the night would go.
I was worried it was too childish, but I went with my gut.
I wanted to show her that I know her, and I’m pretty sure I succeeded.