“But it’s the same every year.” He doesn’t seem to mind his candid response.
For a second my eyes latch with Lainey’s, and it’s a recognition, as it’s clearly on both our minds: the kiss. It’s not awkward, and maybe I thought it would be. There is a faint sign of a smile, and still not hidden even with her head wrapped with a beanie on her head and scarf around her neck.
“Whoa, what’s this?” An enthusiastic Enzo breaks our fleeting moment because Lainey snaps her sight to the box on the floor.
Instantly, I notice the way she presses her lips together, and her face drops into a cringe. My eyes zip to the box then backto Lainey.
“Can I open it?” Enzo asks, and he’s already about to lift the box.
One more swipe of my sight between the box and Lainey.
Ah.
Santa’s delivery.
I place my hand on Enzo’s back. “You know what, buddy. They made a mistake. That box is for me. Just boring stuff from sponsors.”
“Oh.” He frowns.
Lainey mouths a thank-you as Enzo turns, and Lainey quickly hands him the keys. “Homework time.” Enzo moans his lack of enthusiasm and slumps his shoulders but listens to his mother.
She cranes her head and peeks through the door to watch him disappear, and when she sees the all-clear, she spins on her feet to face me.
“Thank you. This wasn’t supposed to be delivered today.”
I have to grin. “Santa?”
She nods and sighs. “Yeah, I did a mass shop of toys and clothes. But they need to be wrapped too.”
“Do you have a little elf costume for that?”
She playfully shoves me. “Funny.”
Her hand against my chest feels good, and it causes her to pause. She looks at her fingers resting over my coat, and the corner of her mouth twitches. My entire body tightens in the best possible way.
“Uhm.” Her thumb begins to swirl because she has no intention of removing her hand. “Can I make a request?”
“Depends. Will we talk about the other night?” I counter.
She forms a bright smile when her eyes flick up. “We probably should do that.”
My face eases into a grin. “Fine. What’s the request?”
“Can I keep the box at your place?” She uses her head toindicate her apartment. “Someone is getting relentless in his search for his gifts. Of course, Santa brings the other gifts.”
“You want me to hide them?”
She grimaces at her plea. “Even if I still wanted to throttle you, I would ask. I’m getting desperate here.”
I chuckle. “So, throttling me is off the table. That’s good to know.” I answer her request by signaling for her to follow me. I open my door, and she drags the box across the hall. It would be far easier for me to pick it up, but I selfishly enjoy seeing her bent over. It is a view I’m not willing to give up.
She stops her pursuit when the box crosses the threshold of my door, and she leaves it in the front hall. “Is here okay?”
“Yeah, it’s fine. I’ll move it later.” I hang my keys on the hook and slide off my coat.
Then I notice her angelic face and her fingers fidgeting in a cute way. “I guess that means I’ll need to come back. Oh, shoot.” She snaps her fingers in the air. “What if you are away at a game or practice.”
“If you’re okay with wrapping after the twenty-third, then I’m home. Otherwise, I’ll give you my key.”
