“Ah, well, if she hadn’t, you wouldn’t be eating this delicious meal.” Carter drawled.
“So I guess I have Sloane to thank for this?”
“I guess we both do.” Carter pulled off his gloves and bib before setting his napkin on the table. “It’s a good thing, too. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to give you your real birthday gift.”
Carter reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a flat, square box. “I’m sorry it’s late. It’s bespoke, and it wasn’t ready in time.” He cleared his throat. “I know I could have mailed it, but I wanted to give it to you in person.”
With trembling hands, I slowly pulled off my plastic gloves as he slid the beautifully wrapped box across the table. “What is this?” I asked quietly, admiring the beautiful hand-painted gift wrapping.
“Open it, and you’ll find out.” He mused.
Starting at the tape seams, I carefully peeled the paper off because it was far too pretty to rip.
“Live a little.” He chuckled, egging me on. “Rip the paper.”
“I want to keep it.” I said, fluttering my lashes to keep the water in my eyes from escaping down my cheeks.
“Not to worry, that’s the second part of your gift—a whole box of this wrapping paper, because I knew you wouldn’t want to ruin it.”
“Really?” I asked, as he went blurry through my watery eyes.
“Obviously.”
“You know me so well.” I didn’t dare blink.
“I’d like to think so.” He crossed his arms and ran a thumb over his lower lip, concealing his smile.
I swallowed down the lump in my throat and ripped the wrapping off, reveling at how freeing it felt. It was a flat, square box, navy blue leather with gold detailing around the edges,and my fingers trembled as I hesitated to open it. My heart thundered realizinghe’d bought me jewelry.
Carter smiled to himself, just waiting for me to discover what was inside. When I tipped the lid up, I was speechless. I knew what it was right away.
Inside, was a delicate filigree chain that shimmered as it caught the candlelight, and in the center was a small gemstone pendant. It was bespoke, understated, elegant,and the pendant…
“Carter.” My lower lip wobbled. “This is beautiful.”
“It’s opal.” He said softly. “Your mom’s birthstone.” I fluttered my eyes rapidly. “It’s kind of fitting that your piece is releasing the same month as her birthday, isn’t it?”
I tried, I really tried to hold it in, but warm tears streamed down my face as I looked between him and the necklace. “Will you put it on me?” I whispered.
“Of course.” He rounded the table, and I laughed, wiping away my tears as I ripped my plastic bib off, exposing my neck.
Carter’s hands were warm and steady on my skin as he swept my hair to the side, and a moment later, he’d deftly clasped the delicate chain. I leaned in breathlessly when his thumb swept up the column of my neck, just once, and heat cascaded all the way down to the tips of my toes. “This means so much.” I breathed.
“I’m glad you like it.” He hummed, returning to his seat.
“Thank you, Carter.” I touched the pendant as it warmed to my skin. “I’m never going to take this off.”
He looked pleased as he nodded, eyes warm and soft, and then asked, “Got room for dessert?”
I sniffled with a laugh. “I honestly don’t think I could take another bite.” This was more than I’d eaten in one sitting in—well, I wasn’t sure how long.
“Maybe not a bite, then.” Carter mused slowly. “Maybe just a lick or two.” He smirked, letting that sit for a beat while everything in me sparked awake. “How about some ice cream?”
I bit my lip as I met his gaze, it was laced with something wild. “Ice cream?”
“I dare you.” He said with a glimmer in his eyes. “To make room for dessert.”
My heart started racing. Oh, we were back to this.Our dares.
