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Stevie’s face fell as she watched Garcia. “You don’t like it?”
“I’m not wearing this,” Garcia announced.
She stomped her foot. “Yes, you are, Thomas Roberto Garcia.”
“Yes, you are!” Hassik repeated.
“Yeah, you are!” I chorused.
Sensing it was a losing battle, Garcia relented. “Fine.” He ripped off his t-shirt and tried the new button-down on. He flung his arms out. “Happy?”
Stevie clapped her hands together like a proud mom, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yay! They’re perfect!” she hollered. “You guys will wear them for your next game, right?” she asked eagerly.
“Yes, definitely. I can’t wait,” I said, holding it up. It wasverybright, but I’d do anything to keep her smiling.
Hassik smoothed his hands down it. “Comfy. Thank you.”
Stevie ran up and gave him a hug. He took a second to return it, but when he did, it’s like his heart melted.
After we finished presents, the four of us sat around the kitchen island eating pancakes, and that’s when there was a knock at the door.
“I’ll get it!” Stevie was already running to the door, so I quickly pulled up behind her.
In the doorway, Josie was standing there in a cute corduroy overall dress and boots, holding out a delicately wrapped present. “For both of you,” she said, a little blush coloring her cheeks.
Stevie tore into the wrapping paper and held it up to me. “A boombox?!” she asked.
“It’s a karaoke machine,” Josie whispered.
“Oh my gosh, there’s microphones. We can sing together?!” Stevie asked.
Josie’s face lit up with a grin as she nodded, then she hesitantly made eye contact with me. “I made sure it had all the Fleetwood Mac songs, but I think you should learn some Taylor Swift too.”
“Oh, is that right?” I asked, tickling her side.
She laughed into my chest. “You might as well know the Queen.”
“The princess,” I said firmly, giving her side another squeeze. “Stevie’s the Queen.”
She bit her lip and looked up at me. “Did I do alright?” she asked shyly.
The way she was seeking reassurance made me want to haul her up and carry her to my room and not let her leave until she knew how I felt about her.
But my feet were cemented to the floor.
Not yet,I repeated to myself, clenching my jaw. I needed patience. One life step at a time.
“This is great. Thank you.” I pulled her into a hug, which surprised her, but a second later, she was leaning into me, fully relaxed. “Our gift for you is a little… different,” I said, stroking her hair. “It won’t be ready until 2pm today. Can we come get you at that time?”
Her mouth popped open in surprise.
“You thought I wasn’t gonna get you anything?” I teased.
“I just… I thought…” She stopped herself from talking and gave a shy smile.
Stevie was grinning hard.
“Just teasing. So, what do ya say? Can we get you then?”
