Page 49 of More than Paper

Jamison

PS - I still want to read your stories.

I stareat the laptop again and then re-read the note several times.

I can’t accept this.

I grab my phone out of my purse and call Jamison.

“Hey, doll. Did you get home okay?”

“Yes. Umm...”

“What’s wrong?”

“I just got a delivery.”

“Oh good, it arrived,” he says like it isn’t a big deal.

“Thank you, but I can’t accept it.”

“Why not?”

Why not? Where do I even start?

“For starters, it costs a few thousand dollars.”

“So? It’s my money, and I can choose what I want to spend it on. Or I should saywhoI want to spend it on.”

“I’m going to return it. It’s too much,” I repeat.

“You can’t return it. Your name is engraved on it.”

I close my eyes.Shit.

“Jamison, you can’t buy me expensive gifts.”

My FaceTime app rings, and it’s him. I accept it, and our call switches over.

“That’s better,” he says and smiles at me. “Hey.”

I smile back. “Hey.”

“Was your flight good?”

“It was fine. Let’s get back to you not buying me expensive gifts.”

“Why? Give me a good reason.”

“Because it’s too much.”

“That isn’t a reason.”

I sigh in frustration.

“What’s the real reason, Quinn?”

“I can’t reciprocate with gifts like this.”

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