"Sure you are. It has nothing to do with a certain soldier who might be stopping by."
"Jess—"
"I'm just saying, you're acting like a girl with a crush who wants to impress her man. It's adorable."
"I hate you."
"No, you don't."
At exactly 6:05, Tyler walks through the door.
He's in civilian clothes again. He’s wearing jeans and a navy t-shirt that stretches across his chest in a way that should be illegal. I know he has to stay in shape for work but is it a requirement that he has zero body fat? His hair is slightly damp like he just showered, and he's carrying something.
A small pink gift bag.
"Morning," he says, approaching the counter.
"Morning." I can't stop smiling. "What's that?"
"A gift. For you." He sets it on the counter. "Open it."
"Tyler, you didn't have to?—"
"I wanted to. Open it, sweetheart."
The endearment makes my stomach flutter. I pull out the tissue paper and find a travel mug. But not just any travel mug, it's pink with little white hearts and the words "Daddy's Girl" in elegant script.
My breath catches.
"I saw it and thought of you," Tyler says, watching my reaction carefully. "If it's too much, too soon, I can return it. I just?—"
"It's perfect." My voice cracks. "I love it."
His smile is relieved. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." I trace the words with my finger. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. There's something else in the bag."
I dig deeper and find a small stuffed animal. A gray kitten that looks remarkably like Mochi.
"So, you can have her with you even when you're at work," Tyler explains. "I know you probably think it's silly?—"
"It's not silly." Tears prick my eyes. "It's the sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me."
"Don't cry, sweetheart. You'll make me feel bad."
"Happy tears. I promise." I am such a crier. I wonder briefly if that annoys him about me? I can’t help it. I’m just an emotional girl. I clutch the kitten to my chest. "Can I hug you?"
"You never have to ask permission to touch me, baby."
I come around the counter and throw my arms around him. He's solid and warm and smells like soap and something distinctly masculine.
His arms come around me, and squeeze me super tight to him. I feel every bit of his strength as he holds me to him and I like it, a lot.
"Thank you," I whisper against his chest.
"Anything for my girl."
