Page 80 of Small-Town Secrets
"I can't accept this. It's too expensive!"
"Don't worry too much about it," I waved him off. "Raph made sure to give me a discount when I told him it was for you. You're getting that tattoo you wanted. No more waiting."
Laurence set the card down on the table. "I don't even know how to thank you."
"You don't have to thank me. Your being here with me is enough to make me happy."
"Are you sure?" Laurence stepped up to me and closed his arms around my neck. "Because there is something I want to do for you."
"What's that?" I asked, my brain only half-focused on what my mate was saying. Whenever he stood this close to me, all I could think about was his scent and how I wanted to get even closer and breathe him in.
"I've decided that we're getting another dog."
"Really?"
"I know I said it wasn't a good idea before, but I think it’ll be good for the kids, and I can see the way your eyes are lighting up."
I gave him another kiss. "You’re the best. You know, Casanova’s owner told me the little guy has a baby cousin who’s ready for adoption soon…"
“Oh God, you already researched.”
“Only a little bit.” Was it so wrong that I wanted to raise a dog with my boys? “He’ll be the perfect addition to our family,” I promised.
“I know.” Some unspoken emotion flitted across Laurence’s features, but it was gone before I could think about it too hard. Besides, it was hard to focus. I was getting another dog!
“Thank you." I kissed Laurence’s lips. "I love my gift."
"I'd hoped you would."
"I got something else for you," I said.
Laurence eyed me curiously. "You've already given me enough."
"It's not really a Christmas present because I can't gift you something that's already yours."
"Already mine? What are you talking about?"
I motioned at one of the chairs by the table where I'd sat a bag with Laurence's belongings that I'd collected at Howard's place. It had taken me some time to go through the two trash bags and pick out everything that was salvageable, but it had been worth it. Among other things, there were a lot of picture frames with photographs that I was sure Laurence would love to have. And not only Laurence. As I sat on my garage floor, digging through the bags, I found myself smile every time I saw a picture of the twins when they were even younger than they were now. They'd always been adorable little rascals.
And whenever I spotted Howard in any of the photographs, I took a pair of scissors and cut him out.
That had also felt incredibly satisfying.
Almost as satisfying as watching Laurence digging through the canvas bag on the chair with a look of wonder on his face. He picked a stuffed doll out of it and held it up. It was a tiny penguin. "Tyler wouldn't go to sleep without this little guy when he was a toddler," he muttered, lost in thought before turning to me. "Where did you get all this stuff?"
I dug my thumbs into my pockets. "Let's just say I had a little conversation with your ex."
Laurence shot me an incredulous look. "You talked to Howard?"
"Sort of." There hadn't been that much talking.
"And he gave this stuff to you? Just like that?"
I shrugged. Laurence didn't need to know that I'd maybe gotten a little violent on his behalf. I was pretty sure that he had his suspicions even without me spelling it out. "Let's just say that the asshole got what was coming to him."
Laurence hesitated, as if he wasn't sure if he approved of my actions or not, but then he seemed to come to a decision. "Thank you," he said, genuine gratitude in his voice as his posture relaxed.
"You're welcome."
