Page 39 of Crazy About Love (All About Love)

“You’re mad.”

Her glare is so damn cute. “What do you think, Alec? Of course I’m mad.” She puts down her mug, probably so hot chocolate doesn’t get thrown anywhere. “Not only did someone who’s practically a stranger think to give me a gift, but one of my closest friends just thinks, ‘no thanks.’ And I know it’s selfish and stupid, but I spentforeversearching for the right present for you because I thought we’d finally gotten to a place in our friendship where we could actuallybefriends again. Even Jace, the ignoramus, got me something. And you didn’t have to do anything big. I just wanted you to give me—”

I settle the rectangular box in her lap. It’s wrapped (pretty well, mind you, for someone who can’t wrap well) inWalking Deadpaper with a dark red bow. A wiseass grin hits my lips as she finishes in a whisper, “Something.”

“I didn’t want to give it to you in front of everyone.”

Her shoulders droop, and the corners of her mouth turn into an uncontrolled grin. “Great, make me feel like shit.”

“You did that yourself,” I say with a laugh as she eagerly tears into it. I’ve always loved that about her. She’s not one to be careful with wrapping paper.

“It’s jewelry.” Her lovely brown eyes turn my way. “Heart-shapedjewelry.”

“It’s butt-shaped.”

She silently chuckles and pulls the necklace from the box. I can tell she’s unsure how to react, unsure of the intention behind it. My fingers find the back of my neck and I scratch even though there is no itch.

“I know you’re scared about things changing.” Her eyes flick to mine, suddenly scared, and I quickly clarify. “With Lizzie.”

The lines around her mouth crease with her smile. “Thingswillchange with Liz.”

I nod. “I know guys don’t get sentimental about this, but…I’m losing my best friend too. I mean, at times I feel like I’ve already been replaced, but I know with the marriage, it will have to be that way. Itshouldbe that way. They are good for each other.”

She nods, then looks back at the necklace, thumb tumbling over the silver heart.

“I wanted you to know that you’re not alone.”

Her hands drop to her lap, and she looks at me the way I’ve always wanted her to look at me: with wide eyes so full and open that I can see into her mind, her thoughts. Suddenly the feelings and the words come back with a vengeance.I love you. They’re right there again, sitting on my tongue, wanting to be said, but not wanting to be heard. I press my lips together, begging them to keep those words and feelings secret—to keep them only for me.

She puts her hand on mine and it’s almost my undoing. “You are off-the-charts charming, you know.”

I clear my throat, begging my voice to say the right thing. “Charming?”

“Some days.” She hands me the necklace, then turns, lifting her long, wavy hair so I can snap the clasp. My clumsy thumbs take a bit to get it closed, but when I do, I give her shoulder a tiny squeeze so she knows I’m done. I’m tempted to press my lips there too, but thankfully I defeat the impulse.

“Thank you,” she says in a hushed, warm tone that goes straight to my head. “Sorry for being so impatient.”

I laugh. “Hope it was worth the wait.”

She looks down at it, her fingers gliding over the heart. Without answering, she slides her arms around my shoulders. Her face burrows into the crook of my neck, and I turn my head, inhale the Christmas pine scent of her hair, and hold her close to me for as long as she allows. And she allows me more than my fair share of time, yet it still doesn’t seem long enough.

“Now I feel like my present to you was crap.” She waves a hand at the tie around my neck.

“I did do so much better.”

A soft hand pushes my shoulder, and her smile hits even the darkest parts inside of me.

“I’ll play for you,” she offers, her eyes landing on the piano in the corner. She pushes off the couch, fingers toying with the heart around her neck. I bend down, grab the Christmas book from Grandma Carver, and flip to “Deck the Halls.”

“This one good?” I ask over the piano with a smirk.

She shakes her head and settles the music in front of her.

“See?” she says, playing the first note. “Charming.”

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