After scribbling a note, laying it on top of another new outfit, and turning on the mug warmer I added to her nightstand, I set off to have Mam make her another cup of that coffee she likes.
Following a successfully stealthy mission of managing to place the mug on the warmer and re-escaping the room, I drive to the small airport to collect my girl’s surprise guest.
Back at the house an hour later—because of delays—I know she’s awake because I’ve felt the soft prodding on the wall I had to put up on my thoughts so I wouldn’t spoil the surprise.
At the sight of Anya’s silhouette in the upstairs window, it’s safe for us to hurry inside. Mam ushers us through the door—in on the surprise—and keeps the guest in the kitchen with her while I go get my sweet mate.
When I push open the door to the room, I see her finishing up her light application of makeup in the bathroom mirror. She slides me a quick sideways glance. “What are you up to, Northerly?”
Offering her the giant smile that she hates to love, she shakes her head and puts the weird stick thingy back in her lip gloss tube, and does that lip roll and smack thing girls do after they put stuff on their lips. Satisfied with what she sees in the mirror, she turns to fully face me and my cheesy smile is replaced by the one that I’ve only ever had for her. The one that turns my insides to goo because. . . how did I get so lucky?
Her perfectly muscular legs look like sin in the simple black leggings I picked– to go with the green, cactus print, ugly Christmas sweater I bought for today– and her favorite combat boots with thick holiday socks rolled at the top. Her bright auburn hair is loose and wavy, and when she moves through different lighting you can see sparks of copper flash in the layers.
“Take a picture. They last longer.” She snaps teasingly as she lifts my jaw, closing my mouth.
Shaking off the stupor she caused and remembering why I’m standing here, I slide my hand into my pants to adjust myself, causing her to snicker once more.
“Well, do you want to see your surprise or not?” I play it off as not a big deal. There’s no way she has any idea who’s waiting downstairs for her.
Her eyes light up and she nods, moving out the door I’m holding open for her because I’m a gentleman. We make our way down the stairs and when we round the corner into the kitchen, Mam is smiling but the surprise isn’t anywhere to be seen. Looking around the space with scrunched brows, I make eye contact with Mam who darts her eyes behind us just as Anya shrieks from being startled when someone grabs around her waist from behind.
“Surprise!” Carrie wails as Anya whips around to see her.
The girls tackle each other in a squealing, jumping hug.
“What are you doing here?!” Her eyes shift between our faces, putting the pieces together. “You did this for me?” she asks, directed at me.
I nod. Hands in my pockets. “Christmas shopping with your best friend is part of the holidays. Can’t give you the best Christmas ever without all the components.” I wink.
She rushes me, slamming into me, and gives me a fierce hug. “Thank you.” She mumbles into my chest. I inhale her sweet, orange cinnamon roll scent and kiss the top of her head.
You’re welcome, Anya. You deserve to have the happiest, best Christmas ever.I’ll never stop showing her what she means to me and what she truly deserves.
Shut up. Don’t make me cry. I didn’t put on waterproof makeup.
I don’t mean to laugh but a big, booming one escapes me. She just smiles, lifts onto her tiptoes, and kisses the end of my nose. “I love you, Bear.”
The girls have been gone a few hours now and I’m in the sitting room, catching up with my parents when a tide of coolness washes over me, like a wave of anxiety.
Leave it to Mam to immediately notice. “Kodi? What’s wrong?” Her widened eyes full of worry.
I shake my head, bring my hand to my temple as if trying to balance my brain when the coolness is replaced by a little dizziness. “I. . . I don’t know. I was fine and then I just felt a bit. . . faint.”
My eyes meet Mam’s and her’s dart to my father’s and back.
“Anya,” we say in unison.
I try to reach her through the bond but it’s quiet. When I pull out my phone to call her, there’s a text from Carrie.
And another text comes in from my mate.
It’s not that I don’t believe her, but she’s not used to letting people take care of her. I text Carrie back.
The continuous blinking dots telling me she’s still typing is the only thing keeping me cool.
Knowing Anya won’t be happy if I crowd and worry over her, it takes all my willpower to stay here while she finishes her shopping trip, knowing I’m meeting up with them for dinner and Christmas lights in a couple of hours.
I catch Mam and Father up on the situation, his brow furrowing briefly before Mam calms him through their bond.
