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“You think so?” She tilts her head, trying to get a different perspective. “What’s your favorite part?”
I walk toward her slowly and position myself on the floor with her. She sits in front of me, her legs balled up near her chest.
“The willow tree,” I say, moving her hair to the side of her body, away from her back. She’s wearing black shorts that are longer this time. Her top is loose with a subtle rib texture.
She takes a deep breath and holds it the moment my fingers brush through her hair.
“What’s your favorite part?”
She doesn’t reply. She doesn’t even continue to paint. She turns away from her work and looks at me, her eyes unable to pick a spot on my face to look at.
“The willow tree too.”
I pick her chin up with my hand, forcing her to look at me. Her eyes fall to my lips.
I take my hands off her and reach for something I placed behind me before sitting down with her. “Pick a hand.”
Curiosity gets the better of her as her eyebrows press together, forming a deep crease in her forehead.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean left or right, Nina.”
“Hmm.” Her back stiffens, unable to figure out what she will get if she finally picks a hand. “I think I am going to go with theright?”
“Don’t answer my question with a question,” I say with a laugh that feels genuine. A laugh I haven’t felt joy from in a while.
“Okay. Right.”
I nod as I bring out a box wrapped in dark blue paper.
“Happy birthday.”
Her lips open in shock. As if I’d forget her birthday.
She shakes her head as she opens the gift.
I never should have spent so much on her, but I wanted her to have new supplies.
“Gio!” She shouts in excitement. “You didn’t have to. This stuff is unbelievably expensive.”
I don’t say anything back; I just smile.
In this moment, everything seems worth it. She’s smiling back at me, parting her lips slightly as she licks them.
“I wanted to.”
Her smile leaves her lips when she looks at me.
“Gio.” She sighs.
“Smile again.”
Her eyes find mine as she falls into my arms.
Her body fits perfectly into mine, curling into my warmth. She feels light in my touch.
Her head lifts off my shoulder, mouth moving toward my ear. “Thank you for my gift.” Her voice sounds so soft, almost seductive.
