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I tried to act as normal as possible when we returned to the living room and Ryan seemed amenable to dropping the topic as well.
“It’s time for presents,” I announced, trying to inject some normalcy into the situation. I pulled out two wrapped packages from the closet and handed one each to Simon and Ryan. Simon frowned when he saw that I had gotten a present for Ryan, but for the sake of our truce he kept his mouth shut. Ryan looked surprised when I handed him his present.
“I didn’t think you were getting me anything.”
“It’s nothing big,” I said, not wanting him to feel bad since I hadn’t expected him to give me a present. “I just hope you like it.”
I watched eagerly as Simon opened his present. It had been hard to decide what to get him and I had finally decided on a guitar pick with his initials engraved on it. I was giving it to him not only because he loved playing guitar, but because I wanted to remind him that, no matter how it had happened, he was Simon Crewe. Those initials belonged to him as much as his feelings and emotions did.
“I love it,” he said, kissing me lightly with a sweet smile. “Thank you.”
I smiled in satisfaction and turned to Ryan. He was still staring at his present and he looked up when I said his name.
“Are you going to just look at it or are you going to open it?” I teased. I had really struggled on what to get him, let alone whether it was even appropriate to get him something. But the thought of him not having anything to open on Christmas had bothered me, so I had settled on something small.
Ryan opened the present and pulled out a box with a large array of tea bags. There were a variety of flavors that were supposed to fit certain moods and it had seemed like a fun neutral gift. I hoped he got the most use out of the “calm” flavor.
“I noticed you’re a tea drinker instead of coffee so I thought you’d like it,” I said.
Ryan looked up with a faint smile. “It’s perfect. Thanks.”
“Let me get your gift,” Simon interrupted. He disappeared into my bedroom and returned shortly, carrying a small wrapped package. I opened it with glee when he handed it to me but I gasped when I saw what was inside.
“Simon, it’s gorgeous!” I admired the delicate silver bracelet with a single diamond hanging off it. I beamed at him as he lifted the bracelet out of the box and clasped it around my wrist. I watched as it glinted in the sunlight.
I leaned up to kiss him. “It’s way too extravagant, but I love it. Thank you.”
The rest of the day was a little awkward, the tension between Simon and Ryan never fully dissipating, but we tried to make the best of it. I was relieved when it got late and it was time to go to bed. I was making my way back to the bedroom after washing up in the bathroom when I heard Ryan call my name. I turned around and walked into the living room.
“Thanks for the Christmas present again,” he said.
“It was nothing.” It was a little embarrassing that he was making a fuss over such a small present, and it made me wonder when he had last received a Christmas present.
He held out his hand and a small medallion was resting on his palm. “I want you to have this.”
I stared down at the piece of metal, recognizing it instantly. It was his mother’s iridium medallion that he always wore. An intricate design was carved on the surface and it was beautiful, but I didn’t want Ryan to give me something out of obligation. Especially since I knew how much the medallion meant to him.
“It’s okay, Ryan. I didn’t expect a Christmas gift in return.”
“I want you to have it. My mother was an amazing seer. So strong, yet it was her compassion and kindness that set her apart.” Ryan’s eyes were piercing into me. “You’re just like her.”
I swallowed, unsure how to take Ryan’s statement. I shook my head. “Ryan, I can’t take this. It’s too valuable.”
He ignored my protests and took my hand, placing it in my palm and closing my fingers around it. I felt a jolt of electricity from his touch and all of a sudden the feelings that I thought were gone rushed back.
“Please take it,” he insisted, gazing at me with an expression I didn’t understand. “I have another piece of iridium I can wear. It would mean a lot to me if you accepted it.”
I didn’t know how to refuse his plea so I just nodded. “Okay,” I said softly. “Thank you.”
I pulled my hand out of his grasp and hurried back to my bedroom, not looking back to see if he was watching me.
“Is everything okay?” Simon asked when I closed the bedroom door behind me. He studied me with narrowed eyes and I tried to keep a nonchalant expression on my face.
“I’m fine. Just ready for bed. I’m exhausted.”
I quickly hid the medallion in my jewelry box when Simon went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. The last thing I needed was for Simon to go into a jealous fit over Ryan’s present. I felt unsettled by his deeply personal gift and while a part of me wanted to forget its existence, another part of me couldn’t help wondering if it meant anything.
I fell into an uneasy sleep that night, unsure of everything, including my own feelings.
