The delivery person placed a big cardboard box on the counter.Abby wasn’t expecting anything.So, after she signed for the package, she checked the address.It had the name of some card shop in Chicago.
Abby couldn’t help but smile.What had Brad done this time?
Not in the mood for an audience, she carried both boxes to her office.Mia raised her brows at the sight of the big box, but she didn’t say a word.
Abby told herself she shouldn’t be as excited as she was, but this was totally unexpected.What had gotten into Brad?
Once the office door was closed, she placed both boxes on her desk.The cardboard box was large, but it was surprisingly light—so light that she wasn’t even sure there was something inside of it.
Grabbing a pair of scissors from her desk drawer, she sliced through the packing tape.She pulled back the flaps.Three balloons popped out.
A big smile pulled at her lips.The pink, red and white balloons were tethered to something.She peered inside.She blinked, not sure what she was seeing.
She reached inside and withdrew the tether.It was a pink, purple, and red dinosaur.She let out a laugh.The body was red with purple horns on the top of its head and another horn on its nose.And it had pink and purple heart-shaped spots.
She immediately knew where he’d gotten the idea.She recalled the dinosaur they’d seen in a shop window when she’d given him a tour of the town.At the time, she’d told him that the dino was “kinda cute.”
So, what was she to make of his gifts?She wasn’t sure.It wasn’t like he’d said anything romantic.Was this some sort of friend’s gift?
There was a part of her that wanted there to be more feeling behind the gifts.Was that wrong?She wasn’t sure.She was certainly confused.
She put the dinosaur on her desk and sat down.She pulled out her phone and started to type.
Thank you!
A couple of minutes passed with no response.He must be busy.She wasn’t sure what to do with the balloons and dinosaur.In the end, she decided to put them back in the box and take them home.
Chime.
For what?
For a moment, her heart leaped into her throat.Had she made a mistake?Was there anotherBthat she should be thanking?
Then her gaze moved to the box that was sitting next to the door.She went through everything she knew, from the little card on the box of chocolates to the return address being in Chicago on the box of balloons and dinosaur.Everything is most definitely from Brad.
Chime.
Brad:Are you still there?
Abby:Stop messing with my mind.I know the gifts are from you.
Brad:Busted.Hope you like them.
Abby:A Valentine’s dinosaur?I wonder where you got that idea.
Brad:I think it’s a new holiday trend.
She laughed.She loved how he could make her laugh.He was fun.She just wished he wasn’t so far away.A pang of longing came over her.
Abby:Do you think they’ll have dinosaurs with bunny ears for Easter?
Brad:Is that a challenge?
Abby:What?No.Of course not.
Brad:I don’t know.It sure sounded like a challenge to me.
Abby:Brad, no!
