—:—
Aine bit her bottom lip, hoping that Griffin wouldn’t think her gift was inappropriate given they hadn’t been seeing each other very long.
When he eyed the bag in her hand and bounded up the stairs, she worried that he felt obligated to give her something too and had gone in search of something he could find at the last minute.
“I brought you a gift. It’s just something little,” she said when he came back downstairs empty-handed.
“I have something for you too.”
“You don’t have to. I mean, just because I—”
“I would’ve given this to you tonight whether you had something for me or not.”
Aine felt the flush creep up her neck and into her cheeks.
Griffin walked closer to her and put his hand on the back of her neck. “I know we haven’t spent as much time together as either of us would’ve liked, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel a connection to you like none I’ve ever felt before. I know you feel it too.”
She nodded. “I do.”
Griffin pulled a small box out of his pocket and put it in her hand. “You first,” he said.
Aine’s fingers trembled as she lifted the lid. Her eyes met Griffin’s when she pulled the bracelet out of the box. “It’s beautiful.”
“It belonged to someone very special to me,” he told her. “The one person who always loved me unconditionally.”
“Who was she, Griffin?”
“My aunt. Her name was Dorothy, and she was my mother’s sister. She died a few years ago, but before she did, she gave me this.” He ran his finger over the charms, each one adorned with a garnet. “You share a birthday.”
“We do?”
Griffin nodded. “January third.”
“How did you know?” she asked, immediately realizing the stupidity of the question. “Never mind,” she murmured.
“Would you like to wear it?”
“I’d love to.” Aine held out her wrist, and Griffin draped the bracelet on it and fastened the clasp.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Like you.”
Aine felt her face flush again as tears filled her eyes. “It’s a family heirloom.”
“One I want you to have.”
“Will you open yours now?” she asked, handing him the bag.
—:—
Striker reached into the small bag and pulled out what looked like a pocket watch wrapped in tissue. He opened the brass cover and found that, instead of a watch, it was a compass engraved with a message.
If you take me by the hand
Open your heart
I’ll help you