Page 39 of The Wedding Planner's Manny
Did we really fight that much? If so, that had to change. “That we've been fighting doesn't mean that I want you to stop looking at the stars. It doesn’t mean that I don't still love you, okay?” It wasbecauseI loved him that we were fighting so much. Because I cared.
“Mom always said she loved us,” Nathan said softly enough that I could hear the sound of my heart breaking for him. Did Laura even know how much she'd hurt our children? Did she even care? I almost wished she'd come back just so I could ask her. But she wasn't coming back, and it was my job now to rebuild our lives from the rubble her departure had left us in.
Gently, I set the dog down so I could get up from the couch and then I walked over to the tree where my oldest son was sitting on the carpeted floor with his newest toy. I knelt next to him. “I want you to listen to me now, Nathan. No matter what happens, you're my son and I love you. What your mom did was wrong and you're not responsible for any of it. There is nothing you could do or say that would make me abandon you. Not ever.”
Nathan dropped his gaze to the floor. What, did he think I wouldn't see the unspilled tears in his eyes that way? I pulled my son into my arms. “It's okay,” I said, and then I kissed his hair. He nodded, but I held him for a moment longer before letting go again. The moment I did, the newest member of our family took my place, licking one of Nathan's hands as if sensing his distress. My son gave a little laugh, looking at the furbundle.
“What about that movie now?” he asked, wiping his eyes and trying to appear casual while doing it.
“We'll watch that in a minute,” I promised. “First, I think it's only fair that Rhys should get a present too. Don't you think?”
“I guess.”
“You can get everything ready. There's popcorn in the kitchen cupboard.” I rose to my feet again and turned around to Rhys, who watched me with question marks on his face. “What? Did you really think I wouldn't get you a present?” A smile appeared on my face at the dumbfounded expression on his.
Really now, how could I not have gotten him a present after all he was doing for me? “I didn't know you were coming today, so it's still upstairs. Come with me?” I asked, walking past him and toward the stairs. He followed, and we made our way to my bedroom in silence.
My grandmother had brought her crush flowers. I was going for something a little more personal.
Seeing it in that light, it only seemed natural that I'd be giving it to him in alocationthat was a little more personal too. Still, I felt oddly smug about leading Rhys to my bedroom, even if it was only for a gift exchange.
I only hoped he was going to like it.
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I couldn't believe that Ethan had actually bought me a present. Was he doing it for the same reason I'd gottenhima present, though? No, that couldn't be. I was getting ahead of myself. Ethan was simply being nice, the way he always was.
So I tried my hardest not to stare at his ass as he walked up the stairs in front of me.
I failed, but at least he didn't notice—and the sight made my Christmas a lot merrier than it already was. I was so glad I’d decided to come over; I’d waffled over the decision for a while, but Ethan was taking the kids to visit family out of town after Christmas, so this was my last chance to see him before the New Year.
I’dhadto make use of it.
In his room, Ethan got a small box out of his dresser drawer. “I had to hide it so the kids wouldn't think it was one of theirs,” he told me.
“Is it something you wouldn't want the kids to see?” The question slipped out of my mouth before I could reel it back in.Stupid Rhys. Just because he was giving me a present in his bedroom that he didn't want his kids to see didn't mean it was a sex toy or anything. Seriously, I had to get my mind out of the gutter.
“It's something I don't want the kids to run off with,” Ethan replied with a short laugh, making me wonder if he knew how dirty my mind was. “I believe Caleb would love these.”
Curiosity sparked, I took the box from Ethan when he handed it to me, and then, carefully, I unwrapped it. Only to be faced with a set of the most beautiful marbles I'd ever seen. He'd actually bought me marbles.
I stared at him.
He smiled, as if he didn't even know how amazing he was. Everyone else laughed at me and my weird hobbies, but he not only accepted them, heencouragedthem. I didn't even know how to deal. “You don't have to look so shocked,” Ethan said when I didn't say anything. “You said you lost your marbles, so I bought you some new ones. Merry Christmas! I hope you like them!”
“They're perfect!You'reperfect!”
Ethan's eyebrows went up.
Oh shit, had I actually said that last part out loud? I covered my mouth with my hand, and Ethan laughed. “I'm glad you like your present.” He licked his lips, and my eyes followed the movement of his tongue. “I need to ask you something.”
“What do you want to ask me?” He sounded so serious all of a sudden.
“You remember that day you kissed me under the mistletoe?”
I swallowed and nodded, feelings my cheeks warm up. How could I ever forget? That kiss had been amazing—and much too short. It was something that I shouldn't have done, but not something I regretted.
