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Maureen said, “Glad you like it. I was a little worried the whole stand mixer thing was a little self-serving on Evan’s part, but he said you’d probably want the pasta-maker attachment the most.”
“It was first on my list,” Taryn admitted. “But you’re right. It is a little self-serving.”
He tried for a look of innocence but failed miserably as she settled back down next to him in the chair. Together, they watched as the rest of his family opened their gifts. The golf club had been a hit. Pretty much everything everyone else had gotten was, too.
When it was his mother’s turn to open her gift, the room got quiet. She opened the card and said, “Clearly I’ll be hitting the Yarn Barn after-Christmas sale. You in, Patty?”
“Yeah, Ma. Totally,” she said.
His mother looked at Taryn and said, “You don’t know how bad I wanted to pick this thing up and shake it.”
Taryn grinned and said, “I saw you poking at it earlier, but I admire your restraint.”
She plucked at the paper, peeling up the edges, and saw a plain cardboard box. Frowning, she snagged the pair of scissors to open the taped end.
When she slid the frame out of the box, it was turned over. She quickly flipped it and her mouth opened slightly. He watched her eyes flood with tears, even as the grin spread across her face.
“Oh, honey,” she said, wiping the tears that spilled over onto her cheek. “It’s perfect. It’s absolutely perfect. “
“I noticed you didn’t have any recent group pictures when you took me on the tour,” Taryn said, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
“I don’t. I don’t,” she said. “Come here, honey.”
He watched as she set the picture down carefully and then moved in to pull Taryn into a hug that looked like it might actually break a rib.
Seconds later, she released her and sniffled back more tears. Brightly she asked, “Who needs a refill?”
He watched his mother leaned down to pick up her wineglass. Taryn stood there, frozen in place for a second, then followed her into the kitchen with a look of concern on her face.
As they both left the room, he looked around to the stunned expressions. It had been the general consensus that she’d like it, but no one had expected that reaction.
Maureen caught his eye and mouthed “Holy shit.”
Wide eyed, he nodded. Then he cleared his throat and said, “Thanks for the cologne, Patty. I was running low.”
Just like that, the flood gates of conversation were opened again. The discussion about gifts resumed and Jamie moved over to perch on the edge of the chair.
Giving him a look of concern, he said, “Jesus, Ev. I didn’t expect that.”
“Me either,” he said. “I’m gonna give them a couple minutes and check on them. Despite the tears, I think she really liked it.”
“Yeah,” Jamie agreed. “You better marry that woman, Evan. Otherwise I don’t think Ma would ever forgive you.”
“I’m thinking I better,” Evan agreed. “God, I fucking love her.”
“It’s been all over your face from day one. Have you told her?”
Absently, he shook his head and said, “I didn’t wanna scare her off.”
Jamie shook his head and said, “Dude.”
“I know. I know,” he said, standing up. “I’ll be back.”
He walked toward the kitchen with absolutely no idea what he’d find. When he poked his head in, he didn’t expect to see them sitting at the kitchen table wiping tears from their faces.
He must have made some sort of noise because Taryn shooed him away and his mother said, “Girl talk. Go.”
He gave a surprised laugh and said, “Jeez. Fine.”
