Page 104 of Home Game

Unexpected emotion washed over my heart, making my bottom lip tremble against my will. I covered it up with a smile. “You did all this for me?”

“You want some burnt bacon?”

Laughter squeezed out of my tight chest. “Want me to do pancakes with that bacon?”

“You’re not supposed to cook on your own birthday.”

“You want to eat or not?”

“I’ll make the coffee.”

Within minutes, we sat side by side at the island, eating my pancakes and his burnt bacon. I felt so much joy, it made the meal taste like a five-star. I wondered if this was the happiest moment of my life? In case it was, I tried to savor every single second. I wanted to remember how Ryan ate three times as many pancakes as me. The way his eyes sparkled when he looked down at me. The easy conversation between us. I worked to imprint every single moment into my memory.

He glanced down at me, “What time is the IKEA building team getting here?”

“Ten AM. They are bringing all the furniture and building it.”

He smiled. “And tonight?”

“Krista is picking me up for dinner and we’ll come to your game.”

“So do you want your birthday gift now or later?”

“Gift?”

“Hang on.”

He disappeared for a moment into his bedroom and then returned carrying that familiar, eggshell turquoise blue bag. When he placed it in front of me, I thought my heart would hammer out of my chest.

“What is that?”

“Open it and find out.”

My trembling fingers unwrapped a small box.

“The starfish earrings,” I breathed, staring in awe at the sparkling silver earrings I knew set Ryan back $475.

“You said you liked them in the store.”

I reached out to touch one with the tip of my finger. “No, I said I loved them.”

“Try them on.”

I moved to the mirror in the hallway. They sparkled and danced in the light. They were so beautiful.

“You have cute ears,” Ryan studied me.

“This is too much,” I tried, without success, to keep the emotion out of my voice.

Our eyes met, and for one crazy moment, I thought about kissing him. What would it feel like to be Ryan’s girlfriend, where I could step up to him and ask for a kiss merely by lifting my face?

A look passed between us, one I didn’t understand. I watched as his eyes darkened. “I should get to practice. I’ll see you tonight, okay?”

“Okay.”

Four extremely competent individuals,who didn’t even use the instructions, constructed the IKEA furniture. While they worked, I unwrapped all the accessories to decorate.

“Is this all IKEA?” Bianca asked from the kitchen, watching the team.

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