“Yeah, but I have my ways. And there are a lot of different retailers that sell them. As long as I could catch them stocking their shelves.”
Now my chest was tight. She’d had to plan this gift. She would’ve had to stalk stores, ask questions, and then do it all over again at another place. She had, and the proof was on my lap. “Thank you. This means a lot.”
“You like it?”
“It’s the best present I’ve ever gotten.”
She did a double-take at my expression. “Seriously?”
I nodded and sifted through the plastic packs. “Yes, sweet Clover. I’m not exaggerating.”
Her lips parted, and shock filled her gaze.
It was Christmas. I had to lighten the mood. “My grandparents got me socks and underwear, but you knocked their gifts off the top of the podium. Right to first place.”
The sympathy didn’t disappear from her expression, but she laughed. “It was a toss-up between the cards and the Santa boxers I saw.”
“No Pikachu underwear?”
“Sold out.”
I grinned, and we held each other’s gaze.
“Merry Christmas, Van,” she said softly.
“Merry Christmas, Clover.” And thank you for making it the best one yet.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Clover
* * *
“Oh my God, we lost her again,” Poppy said and waved her hand in front of my face.
Blinking, I shook my head. My sisters were staring at me from across my parents’ large table. Mugs of hot chocolate rested in front of each of us. The kids were getting entertained by their dads and grandparents, and we got some girl time. “What? I’m right here. I’m listening.”
Poppy pursed her lips. “Then you should’ve reacted when I told you I’m having triplets.”
“Oh my God, Poppy. Really?” How was she going to handle that and run her own business? Would she need help? Would my hands be too full to help?
“No,” Poppy cried.
Lily smirked but did a poor job of covering it. “I think her brain’s back on yesterday.”
Violet nodded. “It’s been on whatever day is Sullivan day.”
“He’s just a friend,” I reiterated for the millionth time. I hated that phrase. It should be banned from the English language.
“Even I can tell that’s not true.” Daisy shot me an apologetic look. “Sorry. I don’t mean to get involved, but it’s hard to see you missing him the whole holiday weekend.”
“I’ve only been here for a few hours.” Not counting the drive down and Dad’s excellent prime rib dinner. How could they evaluate me in that much time?
“Were you thinking about him?” Poppy asked.
Was I recalling the heartbreaking wonder on his face when I got him something completely simple like Pokémon cards? The whole process took some planning, but not that much. The box hadn’t been that big.
Was I thinking about how nervous he’d been when I’d opened his gift? He’d been tense like he was afraid I’d laugh at how stupid it was—it wasn’t—or that I’d fling it back at him like it was a thoughtless gift. He’d shown me how well he knew me with one gift.
