I hand each of them their last gift.
“Oh, cool!” Cameron wraps me in a tight hug, and then he runs off to put his new Seattle architecture Lego set in his bedroom.
“What do you think?” I ask Jules, dropping down next to her on the couch.
“1,000 Sassy Comebacks for the Socially Ungifted,” she reads the book title with an amused chuckle and then starts flipping through the pages.“I think you might need this book more than I do, hubs.”
I roll my eyes. “I thought it might help with your T-shirt ideas. You know, if you’re running low on creative insults?”
Maybe the book is cheesy. But I figured this could be a thoughtful, little way to show my support for her business.
Jules grins at me, eyes sparkling. "A book on sarcasm from the man whose life revolves around following strict schedules and making pro-con lists? This might be the most romantic gift I’ve ever received.”
“What? Better than that shiny ring?” I look down at her ring finger.
She twists her lips to the side. “On second thought, nothing beats the ring.”
For a moment, I just stare at her. I’m quietly building the courage to lean in for that kiss.
She speaks too soon. “Hungry?”
“Yes,” I say, but I’m not exactly referring to dinner as my eyes linger on her lips.
Still, the three of us head to the kitchen. Jules warms up leftovers while I hang out with Cameron and go over his homework. She apologizes for not preparing something fancier, but apparently Cameron is on a mac and cheese kick. Again.
Honestly, this creamy, cheesy home cooked meal is so much better than stomaching another plate of rubbery overpriced lobster at another impersonal restaurant that’s too far from home. I’d take macaroni any day of the week, if I get to enjoy it with my favorite dinner companions.
After eating, we lounge around the living room with a kid’s movie playing in the background, while Jules and Cameron start a new game of Monopoly. I serve as the banker, more than happy to sit on the sidelines and watch.
When it starts getting late, I realize that Jules’s stash of money is suddenly growing thin. It takes me a second to understand that she’s slyly letting Cameron win.
But every little victory gets to his head. He keeps snatching up all the properties even though he hasn’t properly landed on them. His ego grows and grows, having no idea that Jules is letting him cheat. Secretly, I’m thankful. This game would never end otherwise, and it’s getting close to Cameron’s bedtime.
When the game is over, I tackle the bedtime routine tonight, grateful to have time with my boy. Grateful to choose the bedtime story. Grateful to give second, third, and forth hugs.
I tell a very sleepy Cameron goodnight, turning off his bedside lamp. He’s still bragging about his Monopoly victory as he drifts off to sleep.
With a smile on my face, I rejoin Jules in the living room. I sit right next to her on the couch.
Her twinkly brown stare locks on mine. I’ve waited long enough. I can’t wait anymore.
Cupping her cheek, I lean in and I brush my mouth over hers. When she doesn’t pull back, I kiss her deeper, letting my tongue slip past her lips to taste.
She sighs, threading her fingers through my hair and pulling lightly. I love the way her body falls into mine and presses up against me. It feels…instinctive. Natural. I’m not even sure she’s aware of it.
“So, how was your trip? Did everything go smoothly with the associates?” Jules asks, while the TV hums quietly in the darkened room.
“I’m glad to be back home.” I sigh, rubbing a tired hand down my face. “I’m very close to sealing the deal with this company. But I need your help, though.”
“Anything.” She doesn’t hesitate, sitting up straighter and angling her body to face me.
“They want to go to lunch next week. With you in attendance…” I grimace, already regretting having to hang out with those men again.
“M-me?” Her voice shakes.
I nod. “You’d have to meet the associates as well as their wives.”
“Okay,” Jules replies, nodding like she’s fully up to the task. “I can do that.”
