Page 82 of Perfectly Complicated
“Exactly like that.” I bring her hand to my lips. “So, what do you say? Will you let me show you why I fell in love with hockey?”
“I might be convinced…with the right kind of persuasion.” Her smile turns playful as she pulls back slightly and holds up the ornament. “But first, can I put my gift on the tree?”
“That’s why I bought it for you,” I say, reaching for Aria. I pick her up and she settles against my shoulder with her new teddy bear.
When Janie turns and sees us, she stops.
“Wait right there,” she says, fumbling for her phone in her pocket. “Don’t move. I want to remember this moment.”
She snaps several photos, then studies them to make sure we weren’t blinking and Aria was looking the right direction. “These are going to be my new favorite pictures.”
I reach out and tug her closer with my free arm, pulling her into us until we’re a complete circle. “Now get in here. We need one with all three of us.”
She fits snugly against my side and wraps one arm around my waist. I take her phone and stretch my arm out, angling it to capture our little family framed by twinkling lights and the Christmas tree behind us.
This is for her. For me. For all the new memories we’re making together.
When we finish, she gives me the kind of hug that says thank you without any words.
“Now only one more thing to do.” She turns toward the tree, rising onto her tiptoes to hang the ornament near the top of the tree.
But I’m not watching the ornament anymore, I’m watching her.
Some moments are meant to be captured on a phone while others are meant to be experienced firsthand. Lived in real time. Replayed in our memory, where they’ll live forever.
This is one of those moments.
TWENTY-THREE
Girlfriends Text Thread
Janie
Hey, can I ask a favor? What do we wear to this party at Mr. Marco’s house?
Lauren
WAIT. Did Rourke ask you to the party? When did this happen???
Victoria
Finally! Leo owes me $20
Jaz
You bet on them??
Victoria
The entire team did. I told Leo he’d ask her to the Christmas party.
Sloan
I had money on New Year’s. Thanks for nothing, Janie
Janie
This is our first real date. I’m freaking out.
