Page 67 of The Mistletoe Bluff
Emma gasped as she opened the present and pulled out a pair of tickets.
“I remember you mentioning that new severe weather convention thing happening next year with all those nerds and forums,” Jameson explained. “There’s two tickets so you can take someone with you.”
Emma giggled at his description, but her eyes shimmered with gratitude. “Thanks, Jam-Jam.”
I leaned over and asked Maya, “What’s with the nickname?”
She chuckled, whispering back, “It was a funny name we called Jameson when he was a teen and loved to play guitar. It started as a joke but now it’s his special term of endearment.” Her lips brushed the shell of my ear as she talked, and goosebumps covered my arms.
Then she pulled away to grab another gift and handed it to Emma who ripped into it to reveal a shirt that said “I take weather cirrusly” which made her laugh. Then Maya gave Elsie a photo album of her favorite pictures from that stranger photoshoot that brought Elsie and Jameson together. Elsie and Emma both gave Maya a new strap for her camera.
“You can never have too many straps,” Maya laughed before hugging them both.
I expected it to be awkward sitting there while everyone opened gifts, but it was strangely enjoyable. I loved watching how they all interacted, like a true family, and seeing their faces light up when they received a thoughtful gift.
My family Christmases were never like that. My mum tried, she really did, but with a man like my dad in the house, it was never likethis. There weren’t tender moments or sincere gratitude. It was always robotic, a going-through-the-motions tradition that he suffered through until he could go back to doing whatever it was he did when he was away from us.
Over the years, my mum and I created our own Christmas traditions, which I loved, but there was always a tinge of sadness—like something was missing. It wasn’t the same asthis.
I glanced at Maya again, her face lit up with laughter as Emma said something mildly offensive to her brother. The breath was stolen from my lungs at the sight of her smile. I wanted this—this loving feeling of family, of belonging—and I wanted it with Maya.
Then it was my turn to give Maya her gift. Why was my pulse thundering in my chest?
I handed the tiny box to her, and she gave me a look that I couldn’t quite decipher.
“You didn’t need to get me anything, Oliver.”
“I wanted to,” I answered with a small smile.
Everyone went quiet as Maya unwrapped the paper and held the little black box in her hand. At first glance, someone might think it was a ring box. Her gaze flicked to mine, questioning.
I kept that smile plastered to my face because I was afraid that my fear would show if I didn’t.
Maya opened the box, and she went still like a marble statue, blinking several times before looking back at me, that strange look back on her face. For a moment, everything and everyone in the room faded away and it was just the two of us, eyes locked on each other.
“What is it?” Emma blurted, cracking through the moment.
Maya blinked then lifted the box’s contents out and held it up.
“Aww,” Elsie and Emma said at the same time.
It was a necklace with a small, rose gold polaroid camera on it. The necklace was dainty, but it had screamedMaya. I paid extra to have the shop engrave her name on the charm to make it even more special.
It wasn’t anything fancy, but itwasmade just for her.
“Here, let’s put it on,” Elsie said, moving to help Maya with the clasp.
A moment later the necklace was shining on her neck. Pleasure rushed through me seeing something I had given her against her skin.
“It’s beautiful,” Elsie commented, tossing a secretive look at Jameson.
Maya’s eyes were shimmering as she looked at me and said, “Thank you, Oliver.”
“You’re welcome.”
I wanted to kiss her. More than anything.
Our thoughts must have been aligned because then she crawled over to me and planted a kiss on my lips. Surprised chuckles filled the room as she pulled back. Her wide eyes made me think she was just as surprised by her actions as everyone else was.
