Page 83 of Center Sneak

“I can’t remember the last time I stayed up to watch the ball drop,” I admit.

“Yeah?”

“I may not make it.” I yawn.

“It’s only eight o’clock,” he deadpans. “I can think of a few ways to keep you up.” He bounces his eyebrows up and down.

“That so?”

“Mm-hmm,” he hums, then takes the last bite of his food and licks his lips before sucking on one of his thick fingers. “Lettie baby, if you keep looking at me like that, you’ll never get your present.” His eyes twinkle with amusement.

“So you have a gift for me?” I prompt.

“Just like I said I did.” He rises from my chair to his small travel bag in the corner of my room, and pulls out two gifts. “Open this one first.” He points to the red square box, which is a tad smaller than a shoebox.

I rip the package open. “Chocolate chip cookies?”

“Yeah. That okay?”

“Of course.” I glance at the box. “Oh, and from Foley’s Bakery?! My favorite.” I pull a cookie out and take a bite. I hum in happiness.

Why is something so simple, so delicious?

“Thank you.” I stand with the box and place it on the counter, then grab my two gifts for him. “Here.” I hand him a clear box with a giant green bow.

“Apple pie? Did you make this?”

“Yeah. That okay?” I repeat his words from a moment ago, a pit forming in my stomach.

“It’s perfect. I love your pie.” He pauses, then hands me a tiny box. “Something small.”

My muscles twitch as I open the neatly wrapped gift to find a white jewelry box.

Cal reaches over and lifts the top, then pulls out a small band with an inscription: Brave girl.

Warmth floods me. “It’s perfect.”

“It’s a little reminder that you are my brave girl. Always.”

My heartbeat races and I draw in a breath. “Thank you. I don’t know how to beat that,” I say with a light laugh. “I only got you this.” I hand him over a small present: A picture frame with a picture of us on the Cape together.

“It’s perfect,” he muses.

“Not as good as yours though.”

“It is, but it’s not a competition either. I’m happy to spend time with you. Happy holidays, Lettie baby.”

“You too, but I do have one last gift for you,” I say as I take my time unbuttoning each clasp of my white top.

“I have a feeling it will be my favorite one,” Cal comments as he trails his finger down my cleavage as my top pops open.

I hum in response, because every time with him is a gift.

Chapter Forty-Two

Calvin

Iknock on Scarlett’s apartment door, hands sweating in my pockets. I stand still until the door rushes open, and Scarlett is standing in front of me.