“Stop,” I mutter, shooting them a glare as I stand. My heart picks up speed, nervous about what he wants. He didn’t text me he was coming.
The table conversations carry on just as I open the front door. Wes smiles and steps inside. In his hand he holds a small box, wrapped in red-and-silver wrapping paper.
“What’s that?”
“For you,” he says simply with a cute smile.
“But…why are you getting me something? I didn’t get you anything.”
“I don’t need anything.” He holds the gift out. “Just open it.”
I eye him for a second before taking the box, looking it over while I try to figure out what on earth he got me.
“You wrap this yourself?” I ask, laughing at the tape-to-paper ratio.
“Of course I did.” He bats his eyes at me, trying to act proud of himself.
I can’t help but laugh. “That’s…obvious.”
“Just open it,” he mutters.
I peel away the paper and open the black box, revealing a silver bracelet inside. It’s not flashy, but something I’d actually wear.
I take it out and etched on the surface isPhilippians 4:6–7. Irun my thumb over the engraving, knowing that verse better than any other:Do not be anxious about anything.
“Wesley,” I whisper, looking back up at him. His brown eyes are bright,
“It’s nothing spectacular.” He laughs. “I got it a while ago, soon after we read through that passage together, and I never had the chance to give it to you until now, so…Merry Christmas.”
I step forward and wrap my arms around his neck. “Thank you.” His arms cross around me, and I swear, for a second, the entire world stops spinning.
Chapter 23
Addison
Wesley clears his throat. “Alright. So, I thought we could read through Mark. Unless there’s something specific you’re thinking about?”
“Not tonight there’s not.”
We’re in his truck, parked in the middle of nowhere, doing a Bible study since there’s no small group on New Year’s Eve. Neither one of us wanted to get together with friends, we just wanted to be with each other. It’s been a little challenging to do so. We haven’t told our families that we’re sorta testing the waters together. I think, until we decide tofor surego for it, we’re just keeping it a secret.
Wesley turns on the overhead light and thumbs through his Bible. “Okay, so…” He clears his throat when he finds the passage. “Jesus healed many of them. They had all kinds of sicknesses.”
I’m trying to pay attention, but I have this desire to be closer to him. I scoot over and he reaches his arm around me but keeps reading. I scoot even closer, nuzzling my head against his shoulder.
“What’re you doing?” he asks.
“I want to be with you.”
His fingers trace my shoulder. “I’m right here.” He kisses the side of my head before continuing.
By the time we’re done, I’m itching to kiss him.
He sets his Bible up on the dashboard and grabs his water bottle, staring at me from the corner of his eye while he drinks.
Clearing his throat again, he screws the cap back on. “You have a very mysterious look in your eye, my dear.”
His playfulness gives me the reaction I was hoping for. I climb up onto his lap and drop my knees on the seat, straddling him.
