Page 79 of Love, Luck & Clusterf*ck

“Yes,” he said when he came back into the room. “I have a nephew. I could use the practice.”

“Oh, how old is he?”

Emily was being all grabby, trying to stick her hand into my purse. I pulled it away, then focused back on him.

“Fourteen—”

Emily belted out an excited squeal and made a sound that I knew as the word ‘flower.’ I looked down and realized I’d been too late pulling away my purse. One second earlier and she wouldn’t have had the shamrock necklace clenched in her tiny fist.

When I glanced at Stephen, he was smiling. I carefully unhooked her fingers and set the necklace aside. She did not like that. Her tiredness caught up with her once again and she began wailing.

I stood as she fussed in my arms, straining to get the shiny green flowers back. “I really should put her down for that nap now.”

“Of course. Thanks for the coffee.”

“You’re welcome, Stephen. Thanks for stopping by.”

We walked him to the door, and he waved goodbye to us both, although she wasn’t interested that time. I rocked her as I watched him leave, feeling an unexpected melancholy at doing so.

I used to think that what Dre and I had was complicated. That was nothing compared to the friendship Stephen and I shared.

Lips trailed up and down my neck. An erection poked sharply against my hip. Gun to head? It was a little annoying.

“God, I fucking missed you so much, Perry.”

Dre’s mouth covered mine before I could respond. Not that I even had a response. Had I missed him too? Except when I’d felt guilty, I hadn’t thought of him much at all. That only sparked new guilt, and I put more effort into the kiss.

We’d been on my couch for the past half hour or so, me sitting sideways across his lap. As soon as the place had been declared a kid-free zone he’d come over. The moment he saw me, he slung me off my feet and carried me to the couch. He hadn’t been able to keep his hands to himself since.

“There’s so much I need to tell you,” he said when his mouth was free.

I smiled. “Then tell me.” I’d much rather talk anyway. Actually, I’d prefer to go to sleep, but I was trying. That was what relationships comprised of—give and take.

“I’d rather show you first.”

Oh Lordy. This was going to be one of those giving times.

He shocked the hell out of me when he took something out of his pocket instead. It was wrapped in hard plastic. He pulled it out and held it in front of me. A heart on a chain. Jewelry? Dre never gave me jewelry. I didn’t evenlikejewelry.

“What is this?” I asked. As if I couldn’t tell that it was a heart on a chain.

“A present for you.” He draped it over my neck and clasped it. “I know you’d never want a ring, so I wanted to give you some kind of symbol to show how serious I am. Something besides a part of mytruck, of course.” He kissed my shoulder. “At least until we get our matching tats.”

I disregarded his last sentence and held the heart up. It was platinum with several diamonds in the center. I couldn’t deny that it was gorgeous, but it just wasn’t me. I didn’t care if he gave me something that only cost a dollar; I just wanted it to represent me. I wanted him togetme.

“This must’ve been very expensive, Dre. You really shouldn’t have, especially since you just had to put money into your truck.”

I’d received a present when I was the reason he had to put that money into it? Add another check to the guilt tally.

“I’m doing well, you know that. I can afford to buy you something nice.” He traced his fingers underneath the chain. “I could even go as far as supporting you if you didn’t want to work at all and just focus on school.”

“Dre.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. Let’s not talk about that now.” His fingers dipped lower to the tops of my breasts. “Do you like the necklace? You didn’t say.”

I suddenly felt like an unappreciative brat. My boyfriend had picked this out for me, and all I was doing was complaining about it in my head. Ever since I had ears, I’d heard that it wasn’t the gift; it was the thought that counted.

“It’s beautiful, Dre. Thank you.”

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