“I thought you’d already be with Chloe,” I say, as I round the corner to find Wren filling up a glass with water.
“Oh, good—you're here,” she chimes. “My mom textedme half an hour ago and asked that we Facetime them together when you got here, so I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah,” she shrugs. “I don’t know. Maybe Cody wants to show us his costume or something.”
My heart rate picks up as she swipes on the screen of her phone. He definitely wants to show us something, but it’s not his costume. I was so distracted by my dad today, that I didn’t realize it had been delivered, and I definitely planned on Wren finding out a little differently.
Fuck.
“Hey before you call can we—” I try.
“Hi, sweetheart,” Charlotte’s voice comes through the phone.
Shit. This is fine. She’s not going to be mad.
“Hey, Mom. I’ve got Tanner with me. What did Cody want to show us?”
I walk over and offer Charlotte a wave over Wren’s shoulder.
“Tanner,” she smiles. “Oh, good. Let me grab Paul and Cody.”
“Mom, what’s going on?”
“You don’t know?” her mom asks.
“Know what?” Wren’s eyes shift to me and then back to the phone screen.
Charlotte flips the camera around. Cody is in his wheelchair with a big grin spread across his face. Next to him is the brand new lift I ordered a month ago. Wren’s eyes flare, and Cody begins to type on his speech device.
After a few moments, “Thank you Tanner” comes through the device, and Wren drops the phone.
Without thinking, I pick it up off the floor and smile. “You’re welcome, man. Glad it made it.”
“You…um…what…” Wren can barely form a sentence as she continues to stare at me completely stunned.
“This was so kind of you,” Charlotte says, ignoring Wren’s reaction.
“Yes,” Paul adds. “I know these things cost a pretty penny, so thank you for this.”
“It’s my pleasure,” I say. “Wren told me the insurance company was giving you a hard time, and I talked to our friend, Gray, who’s a PT, so it should be the right one.”
“It is,” Charlotte says. “We’d love to have you over for dinner to say thank you. Wren, you let me know when you two are free and we’ll get it on the calendar. This is just…well, I’m speechless.”
“Okay,” Wren says, breathless.
“Really, it was nothing. I look forward to dinner. We’ll talk soon?” I say.
They nod, and we say our goodbyes. When the call ends, I set the phone down and turn to face Wren.
“Look, I know you probably think I over—” I begin, but she throws her arms around me and squeezes me tight.
“Thank you,” she says, her voice cracking. Pulling her into me, I breathe a sigh of relief.
“You aren’t mad?”
She pulls away. “Mad? How could I ever be mad at you for such a generous gift. I mean, I know they cost a fortune, but are you kidding me right now?” She wipes the tears running down her cheeks. “I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you, but I’ll try. Thank you.” Her arms wrap back around my waist and she nuzzles into my chest.
