Page 155 of Paint the Town, Dove
Focus on the moment. Look in front of you.
Pulling out my Dior tote stocked with presents, I handed Zayla and Polly matching Cartier bangles. Of course they liked it, anything with a luxury brand name was a go-to on this side of the fence.
It took me a while to get used to that.I was always happy with cinnamon hearts.
Don’t turn around.
I gifted Donny and Derek vintage Versace belts (Donny’s was nicer), and Dean a gift card to his favourite guitar shop in Manhattan. Dean was always a mystery, the hardest person to shop for. He kept his interests close to his chest. That’s why whenPolly pulled out a Frank Sinatra vinyl wrapped in an orange bow, I couldn’t help but stare.
“Two things, Dean,” I frowned. “One, Frank Sinatra? Two… orange? Really? You?”
He laughed, kissing Polly on the head with heated eyes.Hm. “That so hard to believe, Red?”
“Ugh, please do notRedme and remind me that Tav exists. Let that be your gift to me.”
He tossed a small green box at my feet. “Nope. Merry Christmas.”
I opened it, finding a folded note inside. “Paper?”
But his attention was elsewhere, just as everyone tore into their gifts, laughing, enjoying the merriment of the moment, I unravelled the paper and read his words with a pounding heart:
If you have anyone’s blessing, it’s mine. Ryden’s like a little brother to me, and the only time I’ve ever seen that guy shine is under your spotlight, Scarlett. This may mean zip, or it might mean the world. Either way, I won’t tell a soul. But do yourselves a solid and find a fucking mistletoe. End the year off happy, start the year off happier. Merry X-Mas.
Dean
P.S: He didn’t tell me. You guys are just way too fucking obvious.
…Fuck.
***
The night plateaued intodrunken snores and crackling firewood.
After Dean’s littlegift, I excused myself and got ready for bed. Polly was fine with heading in early, using everyone’s clear inebriation as a way to sneak Dean into her room minus the fuss.
Zayla, Derek and Donny were conked out on the couches and Ryden…
Ryden hadn’t moved from his spot by the fire table, strumming Harley.
Do I go…
Just fucking go, you idiot.
Dean – Dean knows.
How could you be so stupid?
Does Ryden know that Dean knows?
ASK HIM YOURSELF –
I forced myself to the back door, bundling myself in the cashmere knit of my cardigan, and stepped outside. The night was a brisk chill, but the heat of the fire warmed everything beneath the pergola.
Ryden never came inside to see his gifts.
Nobody asked, and I didn’t feel like supplying the answer. That would’ve lead to a gateway of questions and explanations, ones that didn’t need to involve an influx of opinions.
Ryden’s like a little brother to me, and the only time I’ve ever seen that guy shine is under your spotlight, Scarlett.
