“Of course, but you can open them after breakfast.”
Nora smiles like a kid. “I kinda want to open them now.”
“Then open them.” Nick gives his sister a hug. “Happy birthday, sis. Glad we get to spend it with you this year.”
“Me too. And I told you guys not to get me anything.”
“We wanted to.” Jessa thrusts one of the gifts at Nora. “Did you know you’re the hardest person in the world to shop for?”
She’s right. What do you get a woman who could buy herself anything?
“By the looks of it, you managed just fine.” Nora laughs and digs into the first present with the gusto of a child at Christmas.
“Ooh, dat’s pwetty,” Emma croons when Nora pulls a beautiful, light pink dress out of the box.
Nora stands and holds up the dress. It looks like it’ll cut mid-thigh. If I didn’t think Nick would punch me, I would thank Jessa for the dress myself.
“This is gorgeous. Where did you find it?” Rather than put the dress back in the package, Nora drapes it over the back of the couch.
“My friend’s boutique in town.”
“Remind me to shop there again when we get back from LA.”
“I don’t think you’ll have to. Jessa bought the place out.” Nick looks at all of the gifts piled up.
“It’s not every year I get to spoil my favorite person on her birthday,” Jessa admonishes.
Nick frowns. “I thought I was your favorite person.”
“She really only married you to get closer to me.” Nora and Jessa hug and laugh at Nick’s obvious displeasure.
“How about you finish opening your presents so we can eat while the food is still hot?” Nick rubs his stomach. “I’m starving.”
Ignoring her brother, Nora rips into another present and pulls out a pair of heels that I imagine were bought to match the dress—gold heels that’ll look fantastic draped over my shoulders.
Fuck. Please, please let her wear those in California.
“I don’t care what color dress I wear to the premiere; I’m wearing these heels.”
Yes! Thank you, Jessa.
“Seriously, Jess, these are killer.”
Jessa grins. “I may have bought a pair for myself.”
Nick groans. “I don’t even want to know how much that shopping spree set me back.”
Jessa laughs. “You’re right. You don’t.”
“Daddy, I’m hungwy.” Nora climbs onto a chair. “Can we eat?”
“Hungwy!” Henry shouts.
Nora sets the other box down and lifts Henry onto her lap. “Let’s eat.”
26
Grayson