Erm…can I get one of you???
Me
You already do, don’t you?
Hayleigh
Oh would ya look at that Mr-rod-up-his-backside has a sense of humour
Hayleigh
I think what you have done is perfect…that girl needs to realise she can lean on people every once in a while
Emmy
I agree with Hayls! Lacey is super independent…she needs this Cole xx
I don’t bother messaging them back; in fact, I switch to Lacey.
Me
Hey, you free to help me with something today??
Lace
Yeah course! I have work at 2pm though so you can drop me off *puss in boots big eyes meme*
Me
Sure. Pick you up in 15!
I feel like my heart is going to beat out of my chest. I spent the past week trying to find something avocado-related for Lacey’s gift, although this gift isn’t for her; it’s for Peanut. I hope she likes it. I grab the gift and make sure the avocado wrapping paper is still perfect and the bow hasn’t come off. I check it three more times just to make sure then put it under my arm and head out to pick Lacey up.
**********
When I pull up outside, Lacey is waiting for me. Today she’s wearing a black strappy sundress with daisies all over it and her white Converse. Her hair falls in waves around her face. She very rarely wears make-up, but she doesn’t need it; she’s beautiful just the way she is.
I get out of the truck and open the passenger door for her. As she breezes by me to climb in, I get the hint of raspberries from her shampoo, and I find myself following her like a complete fucking creep. She realises when she sits down, and I’m practically sitting on her knee, but she doesn’t look surprised; instead, her breath hitches and her eyes widen. Her tongue darts out, and she bites her bottom lip. My eyes zero in, and I’m transfixed.
Before I do something monumentally stupid, I blurt, “I got you a gift!” When I say blurt, I mean shout, because yes, I am that stupid.
She blanches and then bursts out laughing – full-belly laughing, might I add. So, I shake my head and grab her gift from the back seat.
“I…uh…got you this gift…well, actually it’s for…uh…P-Peanut. It’s for little Peanut.” I rub the back of my neck, feeling the warmth spread to my ears and cheeks. She takes the package from me and runs her hand over the wrapping paper.
“I guess this week is avocado?” Her smile is so beautiful.
Nod Cole!I nod back at her. She tears open the paper and gasps at what lies inside.
“Cole, this is the best gift yet. I haven’t bought Peanut any clothes because I was…” She cuts herself off.
I tilt up her chin, but her eyes stare downwards, not meeting my gaze. “You haven’t bought any because?”
“I was scared to.” Those four little words gut me. I had no idea she had been feeling scared.
“Lacey, you have to talk to me about these things. If you’re feeling scared, I want to be there for you. Can you do that for me?” She nods back at me and takes out the little three-piece outfit I had scoured the internet for. A hat and pants that are covered in avocados, and a top that has two dancing avocados on it and says ‘Let’s Avo-Cuddle Mummy’.
“Cole, what did I do to deserve you?”
