“Of course,” I say, wiping my hands on a dish towel. We sit on the floor in front of the tree, and I feel like a kid again. Everleigh hands me one and then opens one herself.
I chuckle. “You bought yourself gifts?”
“Yep! The hard part was waiting until today. I buy myself little gifts all year long, then I wrap them up and keep them in my closet. The night before Christmas, I put them under the tree and try to remember what the hell I bought.” She shakes the box as I rip off the snowflake paper of my bag.
I reach my hand inside and pull out a baseball cap. “Oh wow. I love this.” I shake it out a bit and put it on my head.
“I noticed you didn’t have one and most guys like to wear them, so I figured you needed one.”
“Well, thank you. It’s great.”
“And it looks sexy as hell on you.” She waggles her brows, then holds up a necklace. “I totally forgot about this!”
The way she surprises herself makes me laugh, but also, it’s so like her. Everleigh makes no apologies for enjoying herself.
We exchange a few more gifts. She gushes over the fuzzy socks I got her. Then she opens the snarky coffee mug and six-month wine club subscription, which she claims it’ll be for the both of us to drink during our TV shows.
“Wow, you know me so well, Archer.” She looks at the things I bought her, then flashes me a grateful smile. “I love it all so much, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She hands me another box, and inside is a framed photo of Sassy. The next has a winter coat because apparently mine didn’t look warm. After all the gifts under the tree are unwrapped, and the living room is a mess, I stand.
“Hold on. I have one more thing for you,” I tell her.
She places her hand over her heart as she stays sitting. “Archer, you've given me enough.”
“Yeah, but I love seeing you surprised,” I say, then go to my room and grab it.
Everleigh's gaze meets mine when I hand it to her and kneel next to her. “Thank you. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s perfect.”
“I hope so.” And that she doesn’t think it’s a stupid idea.
She carefully unwraps the paper and pulls out a Polaroid camera. At first, she gasps, then squeals as she wraps her free arm around my neck. I allow her to sink into me as my hand snakes around her waist. My heart races, and I force myself to let go before I lower my head and crash my lips to hers.
Everleigh creates a little space, and I wonder if she felt the spark too. I do anytime we’re close.
Clearing her throat, she speaks up. “Thank you, Archer. Thank you so much. I’ve been meaning to get one of these!”
“I was scared it’d be stupid, but you’re so good at taking photos, and I thought—”
She closes the space between us and hesitates, “It’s an amazing gift.”
For a moment, I think she’s going to give in to what we both want. I’ve never had the urge to kiss her more than I do right now. The room grows still, and right before I drum up the courage to make a move, her cell phone rings in her back pocket. I swear I hear her whisper a curse.
Clarity surrounds me, and I blow out a breath.
Everleigh answers, smiling wide with strawberry-colored cheeks. “Merry Christmas!”
She’s flustered, and I get satisfaction seeing her like this. Our eyes lock together as she continues talking. “Yes, I’ll be there. Archer too.”
I know it’s Tyler by how she’s acting. It’s the reality check I needed
“I’ll tell him,” she says, then hangs up.
“Tyler said Merry Christmas and he’ll see you tonight at our grandparents’ house.”
My body stiffens, and she notices.
Before she can ask, I speak up. “I’m actually a little nervous to meet them. I never know what to expect.”
“Oh, they’re harmless. Mimi might try to kidnap you, though. Wouldn’t be surprised if she offered you one of her spare rooms, but that’s just how she is. Loves to do things for others. Unlike those other cougars in town who want to actually capture you.”
I chuckle at the hint of jealousy in her tone. “She sounds wonderful. Must be where you get your generosity from.”
“Yeah, she’s great. She’s actually less strict on me than my brother,” Everleigh admits with a laugh, but I don’t think she’s joking. We clean up the living room, then Everleigh takes the camera from the box and calls for Sassy.
“Kneel beside her,” she directs, bringing the viewfinder to one eye and squinting the other. I make sure to smile as Sassy leans over to lick me. Seconds later, Everleigh pulls it out and shakes it until the picture develops.