TJ
I hurry to splash some water on my face and rid myself of the line of crusty drool that’s running from the corner of my mouth to my chin when my phone buzzes again.
TJ
That thumbs-up emoji means I’m excited to see you.
I can’t stop the goofy smile that spreads across my face. I stare at myself in the mirror over the pedestal sink, watching the blush rising into my cheeks. I tell myself not to overthink it, but the thoughts are being thought over and over again.
I let my fingers hover over the keyboard icons for half a second before deciding to be brave.
Lucy
Thanks for clarifying. I missed you this week. Be down soon!
I scramble back to my bedroom area and tug on an old sweatshirt over my pajama top. The flannel bottoms aren’t the best fashion choice I could make, but they aren’t the worst, either. I’m out of time, and mostly, I want to see TJ.
I pad down the stairs into the foyer of the Inn. It’s quiet down here. I don’t think Daisy has too many other visitors, though I’m pretty sure a couple families who are in town for the game are staying here. They’re all still behind closed doors.
I exhale.
Anytime she gets new guests, I feel like I have to shrink away. It feels good to walk around without dodging glances.
TJ’s silhouette darkens the glass sidelight window, and I flick the lock on the front door, giving myself a full view of him.
He’s in head-to-toe River Foxes gear, from his branded gray sweatpants to his navy sweatshirt with the orange-and-periwinkle fox logo in the center. He’s got a beanie on that’s striped with all the team’s colors.
“Morning, Lu.” He grins down at me and holds out a box. “Merry Christmas.”
“Thanks.” I take it from him, shaking my head. “I didn’t get you anything. Can you come inside for a second?”
“I don’t have long,” he says, even as he steps into the foyer. “I have to get back to the stadium.”
He follows me into the hearth room. I set the box on the arm of the couch and sink onto the nearest cushion. He takes the upright chair to my right.
“Should I open it now?” My fingers toy with a rip in the corner of the wrapping paper. There’s a slight gap in the paper on the side, showing a brown box underneath, and I can see the jagged edge made by the scissors line beneath the excess of tape being used to hold it all together. It’s charming in its imperfection, and it makes my insides feel some kind of way to know, or at least to guess, that TJ wrapped whatever is in here all by himself. He didn’t have some River Foxes staffer pull a gift together for me. This is all him.
I can’t help but beam up at him when he nods and says, “Go for it.”
I slip my finger under the frayed edge and rip the paper off the top of the box. The cover comes next, and I pull out a silky soft River Foxes jersey. “Number twenty-five.” I hold it up and peek my head out from around the side of it, so I can see TJ’s face. “I’ve heard he’s pretty good.” I wiggle my brows, flipping the jersey so I can see the back.
“Only the best for you, Lu.”
I hug the jersey to my chest. “You didn’t have to do that.”
He shrugs. “I didn’t want you to feel out of place at the game. I figured you didn’t have a jersey, since you aren’t much of a football fan.”
“I’m a fan of yours.”
A sly smile spreads across his face. “That’s what I like to hear.”
I make myself busy, running my hands over the fabric, tracing the letters of TJ’s last name, and trying not to overthink how that last name will be on my back this afternoon.
Daisy bustles into the room, but stops short at the sight of us. “Oh, my dears. So sorry to interrupt! I didn’t realize anyone else was up. Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas, Daisy.” I smile at my landlord and motion to TJ. “This is TJ Wilson. You may recognize him from the River Foxes.”
