Page 52 of Delicate

“Don’t finish that sentence.” She jumps out of bed. When she sees the gift on the nightstand, her face lights up. “Aw, you shouldn’t have!”

“It’s Christmas! We all deserve a gift or two.” I hold open the box of bakery treats, different types of Christmas-themed donuts and pastries. “Hungry?”

“Mmm, those look delicious. Hold on, I gotta use the bathroom and get your gift, too.”

I sit down at the desk and lay out the food and coffee. When she comes back, she’s holding a big gift bag. My eyes widen. “Hey now, that’s way too big.”

“That’s what she said.” Maia grins, and we both burst into laughter.

“Open gifts or eat first?” I ask her.

“Eat!” she says as she sits on the bed closest to the desk. This room doesn’t have much space to eat. I stand and offer her the seat.

“Go sit. I already ate a couple.” I grin and pat my tummy. “I couldn’t resist while I was there. Everything looked like heaven.”

Maia giggles. “I bet. Thank you for going and getting these. Delicious.” She takes a big bite into a powdered jelly donut, one decorated like a snowman. Powdered sugar gets all over her face, and I can’t help but laugh as I sit down on the bed.

“What?” she asks innocently.

I almost choke on my sip of coffee.

“You’ve got a little something on your face.” I motion toward her cheek area, but when she goes to brush it off, it makes it worse.

I snort-laugh and fall back onto the bed, almost dropping my cup. I hold it high above me as I laugh uncontrollably. “Just go look.” I choke out between laughs.

Maia runs to the bathroom, and not even a second later, I hear her scream and laugh. “What the fuck type of sticky powdered shit is this?”

I’m rolling with laughter so hard I put my coffee on the nightstand so I won’t spill it. She’s fucking hilarious.

“Oh my God. Best Christmas ever.” My sides ache from laughing.

When Maia emerges from the bathroom with a clean face, I laugh again. “Adorable.”

“Very funny. I swear that donut injected powder all over my damn face. Now open your gift.” She hands me the bag.

“What could it be? What could it be?” I ask as I dig my hands inside. I feel a basket, and when I lift it out of the bag, I see it’s full of surfing gear. There’s wax, a surfboard leash, wetsuit cleaner, a surfboard bag, and the best thing- an electric fin.

“What…I mean…How…” I’m dumbfounded.

“I may have called in for a little help.”

I grin. “This…honestly, Maia. This is the best gift anyone has ever given me. I mean truly. Thank you. I’ve always wanted an electric fin, too.”

“I know.” She claps and dances excitedly. “I was so happy Walmart had everything. Because I was stressing.”

“Aw, you didn’t have to.”

“I know. I wanted to.”

“Open your gift!” I place my basket down gently and scramble to grab hers. I hand it to her and wait patiently, hoping I got just what she wanted.

I kinda had to call in some help, too, but it’s all good.

When she opens her gift, her eyes light up. It’s a complete beading tool set including a bead spinner and other various tools. There’s also a beading loom kit. How I got so lucky with Walmart’s selection, I’ll never know. But Maia got lucky, too, with my gift, so it worked out.

“Wow, Rhett. I’ve always wanted a beading loom. Thank you so much! I must agree with you and say this is the best gift I’ve ever gotten.” She walks over to me. “Give me a hug.”

I stand and wrap my arms around her. She feels so warm and secure and smells perfect. Like home.

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