Page 10 of Unwrapping His Gift
Craig chuckles too. “But then they gave me an ultimatum.”
“What ultimatum?”
“Either I break up with you, or they don’t pay for my college, they don’t let me live at home – they would basically cut me off, Daisy. I’d be completely screwed. My entire future.”
My head kind of goes on autopilot: I can’t stop nodding slowly over and over as I process everything he just told me, and my eyes are just sort of staring vacantly off into the distance at the red and green Christmas lights hanging around the window of the shop.
I can feel him waiting on me. He must be anxious – wondering what I’m going to say – but I’m not going to rush my response just for him. After all, he kept me waiting and wondering for five years.
Finally, I look up. “Your parents aren’t just snobs, Craig. They’re assholes.”
There’s a pause, then Craig bursts out laughing. “Yeah, you’re right about that one.”
“So why didn’t you eventually call me or text me or something once you were away from them? Once you were at school? Or once you had graduated?”
“Honestly? I was afraid to.” Again, he lowers his gaze. “I knew how excited you were to go to prom. I was too. I really wanted to see you in that dress. And I just didn’t want to hear you all mad at me for screwing things up so badly. So I just…”
“Ghosted me?”
“Yup.” He shrugs, giving me theI-was-an-idiotlook. “But hey, now I’m back, and somehow the universe brought us together again. And maybe, if you can find it in your heart to forgive me–?”
“Excuse me everyone!” a barista dressed as a reindeer calls out from behind the counter. “I’m very sorry, but we will be closing in five minutes! Thanks for coming in to join us tonight!”
“Oh, wow. I haven’t even had a sip of my latte yet. It’s still too hot!” I laugh.
“Well, I’ll tell you what,” Craig says. “It’s still kind of early. Why don’t we go over to my place, you can let your latte cool down, and we can both actually get sips of our drinks this time?”
Bad idea. Don’t do it.That’s what Marissa would tell me. But Marissa isn’t here right now. She hasn’t had to deal with his charm, his gentleman-like behavior, his dashing good looks, or his height and how he stands tall over every other man around him. I wonder if she’d feel as warm and tingly around him as I do right now.
“Okay,” I reply as I stand up with my latte in hand. “Butjust these drinks. No cocktails or wine or any of that. Got it?”
Craig smiles.God he’s handsome.
“Got it.”
5
CRAIG
I can’t even explainwhat it feels like to have Daisy sitting beside me in my car on the way back to my apartment. Seeing her last night at the office party was shocking enough – especially while I was dressed as Santa – but now I’m even more shocked that she actually agreed to come home with me after the coffee shop closed. Especially after what I told her about my parents and why I ghosted her when I was supposed to pick her up for prom.
I thought for sure she was going to flip out on me andmaybeeven toss her latte in my face before storming out on me. But nope – she got in my car with me and now we’re headed back to my place.
I’m the luckiest dress-up-Santa in the world.
Daisy was always beautiful back when we were dating, but I can’t even believe how gorgeous she is now. I can barely keep my eyes on the road because all I want to do is stare at her.
Even under her winter layers, I can see her curves, her long legs that go up to her womanly hips, and her ample breasts beneath the coat protecting her from the winter’s chill. All I want to do is tug down her zipper just enough to fit my hand underneath so I can get a feel of her.
Before I even realize it, we’re at my place. I nearly go past the driveway because I’m so busy thinking about her. But I manage to pull in without looking like a drunk driver or something. I quickly hop out and go around to her side of the car and open her door for her. She smiles up at me as she gets out and takes my hand.
“Watch the ice,” I tell her.
“What a gentleman.” She smiles.God is she gorgeous. “But shouldn’t you have taken us here in a sleigh and landed us on a roof or something and skipped all the ice? After all, youareSanta.”
“My sleigh’s in the garage having some work done to it.” I grin as I lead her up the steps and inside. “Working the elves overtime. They’re very upset with me.”
Daisy laughs, and I feel my chest go warm. It’s amazing how much I like making her laugh or just seeing her smile. It’s like magic, and a very different sensation than I get when I bring my eyes to her hips as she walks past me into the apartment.