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Wrapped Up for Christmas

Page 16

by Katlyn Duncan


  Got it

  He started sifting through his email. So much for not going in the office today.

  The woman in front of him had several boxes she needed wrapping, but the other male volunteer took her instead as Angie waved Nick over.

  ‘Hey,’ she said. ‘What do you have there?’

  Nick lifted the small box from the bag. It had no distinguishing marks to give her any hint of what was inside.

  Angie stared at it as if she could see the gift. He wished she wouldn’t guess. His hands tightened around the box.

  ‘Which wrapping paper?’ she asked.

  ‘Whatever is your favorite.’

  ‘I love this one. It’s thick so that it doesn’t rip easily.’ She held up a red and white striped paper roll. ‘I like to save this one for bigger packages, but I think it will be perfect for this one.

  ‘You’re the expert,’ he said.

  ‘I’d hate to agree with you for fear of sounding a bit self-absorbed.’

  ‘Don’t shy away from your talents. I can barely cut in a straight line.’

  Angie locked eyes with him. ‘I’m sure you’ll be great. You signed up to help, right?’

  ‘Yes. But I’ll have to check the schedule.’

  ‘You’re up Monday.’

  Nick blinked. ‘You know my schedule now?’

  She laughed. ‘Only for this. I suppose that makes us a little more even.’

  At least they could joke about him not telling her about his job right away. A prickle of heat nipped at his neck at the idea that she could have refused to speak with him again. He was happier with this outcome and would make it all up to her the best he could.

  While Angie cut and folded, he was mesmerized by the way her hands moved over the gift. He knew what they felt like against his and couldn’t wait for his next opportunity to hold her close to him.

  ‘There you go,’ she said, handing it over. Their fingers brushed over each other. This time, there weren’t any gloves between them. ‘Do you have anything else?’

  He wished he had bought ten more gifts but hadn’t thought ahead.

  ‘Not right now.’

  ‘That’s a shame,’ she said, glancing at the others behind her.

  ‘Well, I should get going,’ he said, staring at the gift. ‘I’m headed to the office for a bit.’

  ‘On a Saturday?’

  ‘It doesn’t really end until New Year’s. But I’ll see you later?’

  ‘Definitely,’ she said.

  As he walked away, he placed the gift back into the bag. He couldn’t wait until Christmas to give it to her.

  Chapter 17

  On Sunday morning, Angie and Maria packed up trays of cookies for Reese’s baby shower. Angie’s phone pinged from the other room, and she raced over to get it.

  ‘Is it Nick?’ her mom crooned from the kitchen.

  ‘Ma,’ Angie warned, but couldn’t hide the smile in her voice. She paused when she saw it was from Emma.

  Can you call me later? I think I have a job prospect for you.

  Angie read the message a few more times before she heard Mom calling her. ‘I can’t carry all of these myself.’

  On the way to Reese’s house, Angie balanced the trays of cookies in her lap while unable to get Emma’s message out of her mind. The booth and wrapping station had taken up so much of her time that she hadn’t thought about the jobs rejecting her left and right. There was only one outstanding prospective position on her list, but she had concluded that no one was hiring. It was the busiest season, and most event planners wouldn’t quit before New Year’s Eve.

  Angie wasn’t sure what she wanted after that.

  ‘Emma thinks there’s a job I should apply for,’ Angie said as they pulled into Reese’s driveway.

  ‘That’s great, Angie. What is it?’

  ‘I don’t know. She wants me to call her.’

  Maria patted Angie’s knee. ‘It’s Sunday. That can wait.’

  If it were up to her mom, Angie would live at home the rest of her life, job or not.

  Maria got out of the car, and Angie grabbed her phone, promising Emma she would call her later. As much as Angie wanted to live in her bubble helping the homeless shelter and spending time with Nick, that wasn’t reality. At least not past the holiday season.

  ***

  After Angie rang the doorbell at Reese’s house, her best friend answered the door within seconds. The moment she laid eyes on the trays, she grabbed them and ushered Angie and Maria inside.

  ‘I’m starving.’ Reese sneaked two cookies into her mouth sandwich-style.

  Maria kissed Reese’s cheek before entering the house.

  ‘Oh, God, these are good,’ Reese said. ‘How long do you think can I play this pregnancy card? I need these cookies all the time.’

  Angie laughed. ‘Isn’t there food here?’

  Reese pulled Angie aside before closing the door. ‘My mother-in-law isn’t letting me touch any of it until everyone arrives. She wants the big wow factor. Besides, tiny sandwiches aren’t going to fill me up. I feel like a garbage disposal.’

  ‘You look great,’ Angie said. Reese wore a billow navy blue dress. The high waist gave her plenty of room for her bump, but it seemed soft and comfortable.

  ‘I feel like a blimp. But thanks.’

  Angie hugged her friend and was surprised to find tears springing from her eyes. ‘I’m so excited to meet the little one.’

  ‘Me too.’

  Reese took Angie’s hand and brought her into the living room. It had been converted for the party from a modern style room to a winter wonderland. With the decorated tree as the focal point, paper snowflakes hung from the ceiling while twinkly lights swooped down from the walls. The tablecloths, napkins, paper plates, and food stands were varying shades of blues and whites. But the edging around the three tiers of the cake were pink for the baby’s gender. Reese hadn’t told Angie the name of the baby yet, but she was sure her friend already had it picked out.

  Jeremy’s mother, Elinor Tan, floated over to Angie. She was a shorter woman, barely reaching Angie’s chin but with a strong disposition that even made Jeremy tremble in his shoes at times. She and Nonna would get along great. ‘Angela. It’s nice to have you home. Are you staying for good?’

  ‘Not for good,’ Angie said, careful to keep Reese out of earshot. She didn’t want to upset her friend at the party.

  ‘When are you going to tie the knot? I bet your mother is waiting for a grandchild of her own.’

  Angie expected these questions. Most of her friends from high school were married with kids or on the way. She had been on track with Brett before his lies caught up with him. It appeared as if everyone under thirty who wasn’t married was constantly bombarded with questions about their relationship status and fertility until they tied the knot and had kids.

  ‘I ask her that every day,’ Maria said, hugging Jeremy’s mom.

  Angie slipped away, letting the two moms plan their kids’ lives out for them.

  Reese insisted Angie sit next to her on the couch. Angie was the doting best friend, helping Reese rest her feet up on the ottoman. Reese complained that none of her shoes fit her, except for her winter boots which she only wore to get the newspaper from the driveway each morning.

  Everyone in the room wanted to share baby advice with Reese. It seemed as if they all had a fun anecdote while Angie only listened. Reese was in her element, sharing the woes of pregnancy with the women who had been there before. She even learned a few stories about her mom when she was pregnant with Angie. Most of it was too much information, but the others laughed and commiserated with each other.

  Then came the presents. Angie busied herself as the unmarried non-mother in the group and took care of writing down the list of gifts to help Reese write thank-you cards. She tried not to feel the pinching in her chest when everyone squealed at the cute clothes and toys.

  Angie was so happy for Reese, so much that there were a few moments where s
he nearly cried herself. But the loss of Brett overwhelmed her. It wasn’t exactly him. Her life was on track before he derailed her. She moved back home without a plan and wasn’t sure where she would end up. Thanks to him, she had to start her life over. The distance to her own wedding, and starting a family stretched out of reach with each day she didn’t make any forward decisions about her life.

  While the others in the room talked about all the contraptions for infants she knew nothing about, Angie’s thoughts drifted to Nick. He loved his nephews, she could see it through the sparkle in his eyes each time he talked about them. Would he want kids?

  It was absolutely too soon to think of her and Nick together forever, but it was a nice segue from her thoughts of Brett. Her mood boosted even more with each second, and eventually her cheeks ached from smiling. Reese noticed Angie’s change in attitude, and for once she didn’t question her. Probably because she had some idea what made Angie grin.

  When Angie left the house, the frigid air outside was a blessing against her heated cheeks. She checked her messages for contact from Nick, but Emma’s unanswered text caught her attention.

  Her delusions of staying in town flew out of her mind as she recalled the momentary choking cloud of doubt and angst she’d experienced at the party. Nick’s presence was temporary. Her life had to come first. So, the moment she arrived home, she locked herself in her room and called Emma. If she was going to move forward with her life, she had to take the next step.

  ***

  First thing Monday morning, Angie emailed her resume to the contact Emma gave her. Angie had a new sense of confidence as she drove toward the mall excited to see what opportunities awaited her around the corner.

  Angie wasn’t on the schedule until the afternoon shift, and the wrapping station was covered. She couldn’t stay home and sulk about her life though. After the baby shower, it was as if the baby bug had bitten her mother and over dinner the night before it was all she could talk about.

  With a little white lie about her schedule, Angie left home hours before she needed to be there. She wanted to feel accomplished for the day and help where she could.

  When she drove by Kevin’s Café, she spotted a familiar dog tied to the lamp post. Charlie stared at the café with her tail swishing over the sidewalk.

  Without thinking, Angie pulled into the next available spot. Her chest tingled with anticipation of seeing Nick again. Their texts were enough when they were apart, but she yearned for the swirling lightness within her every time they were together.

  Once she parked, she checked herself out in the rearview mirror before hustling down the sidewalk toward the café. Charlie spotted her, and her ears perked up before her tail lifted into the air. A wide grin spread across Angie’s face as she patted Charlie’s head. An older woman tutted at her, mumbling about petting strange dogs.

  ‘You’re not strange, are you?’ Angie said, squatting to Charlie’s level. She rubbed the soft fur of her face between her hands and Charlie preened.

  A knock came from the window behind her. Nick stood there, lifting a finger for her to stay. Angie unlatched Charlie from the lamp post and held the leash against her. Nick exited the café and wiped his mouth with a napkin before dropping it in the nearby trash can. He wore sneakers and track pants with only a vest. He had to be freezing. Though if he’d come from a run, then she bet the cold air was refreshing.

  ‘You caught me,’ he said, his eyes bright and warm.

  ‘What did you eat?’ A fluttering sensation settled in her chest as her gaze fell to the flaky crumb stuck to his lips.

  Too bad he licked it away before she could tell him. ‘A pastry. A bit of a contradiction to my run, but I haven’t come down here in a few weeks.’

  Angie’s cheeks flushed at the memory of their first meeting. It seemed like years ago that she’d stood there unable to pay for her bagel.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ Nick asked.

  Angie debated telling him how quickly her plans had changed the moment she knew Nick was nearby. ‘I spotted Charlie and wanted to say hello.’

  Nick unleashed a wide grin, which made Angie’s heart skitter in her chest. ‘So you’re stalking me?’

  ‘You wish,’ Angie said, matching his smile. ‘I told you, I’m here for Charlie.’ Then the perfect excuse came to her. ‘I thought I could take you up on that walk. Unless you have to be at work?’

  Nick shook his head. ‘I have a few meetings later. I wanted to give Charlie a little extra attention today. There’s a park down that way if you want to walk with us?’

  ‘Sure,’ Angie said, tightening her grip around the leash.

  Nick chuckled, forming a cloud around them. ‘You can let it go. She’ll stay by your side.’

  ‘I’m not taking any chances,’ Angie said, patting Charlie’s head.

  They walked down the street at a slower pace than Angie guessed they had come.

  ‘I’m sorry I haven’t been around much,’ Nick said as they turned the corner. The park was a small area of green directly across from the mall. It had a view of the massive Christmas tree from the lighting ceremony. If it wasn’t for the cold, Angie could have enjoyed the view a little more. She had to keep moving to stay warm.

  ‘I’ve been busy too,’ she said.

  ‘That’s great,’ he said. ‘But, I didn’t want you to think I’m avoiding you. Because that’s not the case at all. There’s a lot of stress at work, and my family issues seem to be cropping up a lot lately.’

  ‘Is it about David and your father?’

  Nick gave her a knowing nod.

  They stopped by a stone fountain, devoid of water. ‘You can talk to me about it. If you want.’

  Nick let out a breath and opened and closed his mouth a few times before he spoke. ‘It’s harder around the holidays, especially after Dad saw David at the mall. It’s been a while since they’ve seen each other face to face. I know as much as you saw from him, it’s hard for my father too. He’s not as open as David.’

  ‘I can’t imagine the pressure you must feel as they tear you in both directions.’

  Nick sighed as if Angie shared the weight on his shoulders. ‘I don’t know if my father understands how difficult this is. He’s so incredibly stubborn. His father was similar in that way where he could cut away people from his life like that.’ He snapped his fingers for emphasis. ‘My mother doesn’t help because she ignores it, but I don’t blame her. Living with him can be tough when he doesn’t get his way. She makes excuses for him, but we’re all tiptoeing around the real issue.’

  Angie reached out and took his hand. ‘I understand how hard that must be, Nick. I couldn’t imagine cutting off a part of my family. It’s unfair that your father expects that from you.’

  ‘He’s so black and white about everything. I wish I could convince him otherwise.’

  ‘As long as you’re the bridge between David and your parents, I think you’re doing all you can.’

  Nick swallowed. ‘I appreciate that. I thought you were going to think the worst of me.’

  ‘Why would I?’ she asked.

  Nick wiped a hand over his mouth. ‘Your impression of my family wasn’t the best.’

  ‘You’re not your dad,’ Angie said, recalling the scowl on Mr Bower’s face. She shivered thinking of it.

  Nick squeezed her hand as easily as he had at the tree lighting. A warm, comforting feeling as if she were wrapped in a thick, fuzzy blanket enveloped her. His eyes widened in a silent question, and she walked with him, answering in her own way. She liked being with Nick. The thought terrified and excited her.

  Walking with him in one hand and Charlie in the other, she saw a potential future. It was an option, but she wasn’t sure how she could make it work. For a moment, she wanted to move her life in this direction to see what it would be like.

  ‘There’s a fenced-in dog area over here.’ Nick headed toward that section of the park. Inside, two smaller dogs chased each other in circles.


  A whine sounded from Charlie’s throat, and Angie picked up her pace.

  The moment they reached the gate, the two dogs inside sprinted in their direction. Angie held the leash closer to her.

  ‘Charlie is good with other dogs,’ Nick said, reaching for the leash. Angie let go as Nick unhooked Charlie and let her inside.

  Charlie bounded into the area, stretching her legs.

  ‘I think she’s more human than dog. She has a sense of our lives. Her eyes are so knowing,’ Nick said.

  They leaned against the fence, watching the dogs play. Angie became aware of how close Nick stood next to her.

  ‘She’s amazing,’ Angie said. ‘You’re lucky to have her.’

  ‘I am.’

  Angie’s phone rang, and she tried to turn it off.

  ‘You can answer it,’ Nick said.

  Angie didn’t want anyone interrupting their time together, but it was Reese’s ring tone. ‘It’s Reese. Every time she calls, I think the baby is coming.’

  Nick walked over to Charlie, giving Angie her privacy. Reese was notorious for speaking loudly into the phone and Angie didn’t want to talk about where she was, or who she was with, in front of Nick.

  ‘Hey, are you going to the hospital?’ Angie asked.

  ‘I wish,’ Reese said. ‘I wanted to see when you were working today. The doctor said I need to walk around, even though my feet are the size of boats. I was going to visit you.’

  The two smaller dogs started barking at Charlie, who kept one step ahead of them in a game of Tag.

  ‘Where are you?’

  ‘A park.’

  ‘With dogs?’

  ‘It’s the park outside the mall.’

  ‘You’re not going into work until later.’ Angie could almost see Reese digging her hand into her hip.

  There was no use hiding it. ‘I wanted to check on the booth. I was headed in when I saw Nick and Charlie.’

  ‘Wait, back up. You’re with Nick?’

  ‘And Charlie. There’s a small dog park here.’

  ‘I don’t care about the dog, Angie. I mean, I love dogs, but I want to talk about Nick.’

  Angie bit down a smile. ‘It’s not a big deal. We’re walking Charlie.’

 

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