“No, I’ve got it.” She pulls away. “I’m fine.”
“Nice try, Freckles.” I shuffle through the books I’ve wrestled from her, a smirk growing on my face. “These look interesting. Brother’s best friend. Brother’s best friend. Brother’s best friend… I’m sensing a pattern here.”
“Clearly you haven’t found the Christmas novella yet.” She reaches to grab them back, but I angle away.
“I might just need to buy you all of these.”
“Really?”
“Now that I know how obsessed with Christmas you are, I wouldn’t dream of depriving you of the Christmas one. And I’m fully supportive of this new interest in your brother’s best friend.”
Her laughter breaks free. “Books are kind of expensive.”
“It’s fine. I want to. Think of it as your early Christmas gift from me.”
“You’re not buying me seven books for Christmas.”
“You’re right.” I stride up to the counter, handing the clerk my credit card. “I’m buying you six books and a novella. There’s a difference.”
She buries her head in her hands, but I don’t miss the excitement blooming on her face. It makes the $130 hit to my credit card more than worth it. I’d buy her a million books if it meant seeing that beautiful look of delight.
As I hand her the bag, she uses a menacing tone to tell me, “There’s going to be payback for this. I’m going to get you the most outrageous Christmas gift. I hope you’re ready.”
“Oh no, you’re going to get me a big present? I’m so disappointed,” I tease.
She presses her lips together in what I think is her best attempt at looking threatening. “I mean it! It’s going to be way better than your gift.”
“I’ll make sure to mentally prepare, but I should let you know I’m not done with my surprise.”
“Oh no.”
“Come with me.” I grab her free hand, pulling her out the door.
“As if I have a choice,” she grumbles.
Chapter Nineteen
Jax
When we’re backin the comfort of our hotel room, Lauren looks thoroughly confused. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but I thought you said there was more to the surprise?”
“Buying you all those wasn’t enough?” I tease.
“It was more than enough. I’m actually a little relieved there’s nothing else. I already have no idea how I’m going to make this up to you.” She points to the stack of books next to her suitcase.
A smile slips onto my lips, and I pull her in close. “You don’t have to make it up to me. I’m doing this because I want to.” I tuck her hair behind her ear. “I do have one more part of the surprise. Get into something comfy, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
She groans defiantly, but there’s a spark in her eyes, and a smile tugs at her lips as she hesitantly moves toward her suitcase to pull out a change of clothes.
While she’s in the bathroom, I make a quick call to roomservice, and by the time I’m done, she’s coming out wearing a pair of black sweatpants that cinch at the waist and one of Charlie’s football T-shirts from high school. She’s taken off her makeup, and there’s something about her naked hazel eyes that makes it impossible to look away.
“Will you do my skincare while we wait?” I ask.
“Only if you tell me what we’re waiting for.”
“No way! That defeats the purpose of a surprise.”
“I don’t like surprises.”
