He paused for a beat, then looked out the window away from me.
“My parents want you to come to Florida for Christmas.”
I blinked at another sudden change in topic. “What?”
“Florida,” he repeated, turning back to me. “Naples, to be precise. My parents think you should come with me on Thursday when I head down there to see them.”
I laughed. Then I really laughed. I laughed so hard I snorted, which only made me laugh harder.
“I don’t see what’s so funny,” he grumbled.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said, catching my breath. “Let me see if I can find the video replay of Thanksgiving.”
“I apologized for that,” he said defensively.
“You did. And it’s forgotten. But if you think I’m signing up for part two, when I wouldn’t even be able to escape-”
“Fine,” he snapped. “Then when are you giving me this gift?”
“Well, our last day in the office is Wednesday. How about then?”
“I won’t like it,” he reminded me.
“Okay.”
“I’ll disappoint you and ruin your day, if not Christmas entirely.”
“Seems a little extreme, but I’m willing to take the risk.”
“You’re impossible.”
“And here, all this time, I thought I was charming.” I fluttered my eyelashes at him and he harumphed predictably as we got back to work.
It occurred to me then, I might have a bit of a problem though.
Because I had absolutely no idea what I was getting E.G. for Christmas.
TWENTY-NINE
GRANT
He didn’t want anything. There was nothing she could get him that would make him happy.
Wednesday before Christmas
To sayI was curious was a slight understatement.
I could imagine any number of presents that Flowers might think would charm me. Not that I thought she had any ulterior motives other than thanking me for the car I gave her. Still, a car was a big deal. She would want some kind of reaction from me. Something that indicated I thought her gift was a big deal too.
Maybe I could pretend to be moved. I’d seen other people react to opening gifts in movies and such, maybe I could just put on an act.
I thought back to my years with Allison. Before the money, her gifts were always practical. She was never one for unnecessary extravagances. Even after the money, myChristmas stocking always contained a three pack of socks and underwear.
I’d loved her, so I’d loved whatever she’d given me. I never had to act in any sort of way, but I’d never been overly exuberant either. Allison didn’t need that from me.
She knew me. There were times when I used to think she was the only one who ever truly knew me.
That I was putting as much thought into this gift, was also slightly disturbing. I’d basically been counting down the days to this moment, as opposed to looking forward to spending the holiday with my family.
