Page 8 of Unwrapping His Gift
I’ve never been moreconflicted in my life about a workday being over. On one hand, I’m all nervous and anxious and excited to be going to see Craig and be given the explanation as to what happened on the night he was supposed to take me to prom and where he’s been for the last five years, but on the other hand, I’m also wondering whether or not I’m making the right decision or if it’s best to just listen to Marissa and let sleeping dogs lie.
I already felt it when I first saw him sitting out there dressed as Santa – a spark inside my chest, just like the one I felt back when he and I were dating back in high school. I had so many daddy issues back then that while I was desperate to find a boyfriend, I didn’t trust a single guy at my school because I was sure they were all going to do what my dad did and leave me.
But then I met Craig, and for some reason, he was able to convince me – simply by just being him – that he wouldn’t do that.
He was on our school’s tiny rowing team, he came from a really good family, he was a model student, and something about him just made me feel protected and cared for. We just clicked right away. He even knew better than to push me too quickly. It’s like somehow he just knew that it would push me away.
So we ended up together. And when senior prom came around, he invited me to be his date. I kind of suspected he would. I mean, we were both seniors, and I was his girlfriend at the time, but it was still exciting. I spent way too much money on a really pretty sea-green dress, got all glammed up, and waited…
But he never came.
I texted and texted. But he never came.
He never texted back. He never called.
Big day tomorrow. See ya soon :)
That was the last text I ever got from him. And the peck on the cheek he gave after he dropped me off at my house was the last time I ever saw him. Until I walked into the office Christmas party and saw him dressed up as Santa with Jasmine giggling on his lap.
I don’t think, in my wildest dreams, I could have ever come up with a crazier, more unexpected scenario.
I keep glancing at the time as the day goes on. By the time five rolls around, I feel like I just might have a heart attack. Part of me is actually second-guessing whether or not I should go through with it. But when I see the rest of the office picking up their jackets and heading for the elevator, I think about just going back to my apartment or out for drinks with the girls, and I know that I have to go through with it. I have to meet up with Craig. I have to know what happened and where he’s been for the last five years.
So I grab my purse and my coat and take the elevator down with a couple girls from H.R. I don’t really know them that well, and I don’t know what they’re talking about, but that’s fine. I kind of like it that way because my mind is on Craig and whether or not I’m making the right decision.
But it’s not like I’m given much time to mull it over. As soon as the elevator doors open, I find myself staring directly at him. He’s standing with his arms crossed in the lobby, smiling like he couldn’t be more happy to see me. And I have to confess, it warms me up inside.
“Hey there, Bear Bear,” he grins.Bear Bear…the name he gave me way back when we first started dating. I don’t even remember how he came up with it, but hearing it again after all this time just triggers so many memories.
“Um, hey!” I say, giving a little wave as I walk over to him.
“Ready to go?”
“Yeah,” I lie. I amsonot ready for this. My heart is racing, my palms are sweating, and I’m kind of wishing Marissa was here with me to support me. Although that would be crazy awkward.
“Great, let’s go!” Craig smiles, looking like he’s got all his feelings completely under control.
He walks beside me to the lobby doors, and this time, I let him hold them open for me so he can be a gentleman. I don’t know why I do that, but it just sort of feels like I should. It’s like many of those feelings I had for Craig back in high school have come back and are slowly draping over me like a warm blanket, not only protecting me from the cold December air but also from whatever else might be out there in the world that wants to hurt me.
Oh God, Marissa might have been right.
I follow him outside into the chill, and he leads me past the massive, sparkling Christmas tree and in the direction of the same coffee shop we went to last night. “I thought we’d go back here,” he says. “We never got a chance to finish our drinks. Heck, you never even got to try yours!”
“That’s true.” I smile.
“Don’t worry, I drank it for you. It was pretty awesome.”
“You drank it for me?!” I reply, pretending to be aghast. “That was mine!”
He smirks and shakes his head. “Actually, I let the staff have both of our drinks. I didn’t think it would be right to have them without you being there.”
A warmth starts in my chest and spreads out through my body. It’s winter, but it could practically be the start of summer with Craig by my side.
“Always the gentleman, aren’t you?” I ask. “When you’re not bailing on taking a girl to prom.”
Craig gives me a very embarrassed look, and we continue on the short walk to the coffee shop. Again, he holds the door for me, and we step inside. It’s kind of crazy, but I’m already having a lot of fun. We haven’t even ordered or sat down to talk, but I’m really enjoying myself.
“Why don’t you grab a table and I’ll order?” Craig suggests. “Whatever one you think looks coziest.”