Page 105 of One Billion Reasons

“Easy there.” He grins and grabs my elbows. “Don’t forget the camera.” He passes me the bag, before pulling me out into the quiet pre-dawn light.

The garden is still and silent. Flakes circle lazily, before joining the dusting over the privet and the benches.

We move through the garden and down the boardwalk, not speaking. I don’t want to disrupt the stillness. Miles’s hand grips mine, his fingers warm and dry, a comforting anchor.

The sky lightens as we near the water, the weak light doing little to warm us. The water line is littered with shells in indigo and white. The seagulls always take advantage of the easier winter hunting to drop sea creatures from great height, before prying them loose and swallowing them whole.

I shiver and take my camera out of the bag. Miles stares out at the waves, hands shoved in the pockets of his sweatpants. He’s bulky in his parka. The pockets are lumpy and distended. Probably stuffed with gloves and a beanie for the walks he likes to take on the beach. Even in the cold, I find him out here. He surfed up until a few weeks ago, and he still checks the waves every morning.

I snap a photo of him looking windblown and pensive. Utterly, heartbreakingly beautiful. His hair is waving gently, his eyes are distant.

He realizes what I’m doing after a few minutes and turns, smiling. “You’re supposed to be capturing the ocean.”

“But what if the best-looking thing down here is you?” I snap another photo and keep taking them as he approaches, until I get one of his eyebrow filling my lens and I giggle as he forces me to kiss him.

“Behave, demon.” He’s smiling, though, and I wind my arms around his neck and press into him. “Do you want your present?”

“I do. You know I hate waiting.”

“I think you’ll like this one.” His eyes are dancing as he pulls a package out of his pocket.

I pull off the bubble wrap and stuff it inside my jacket. “A lens.” I cradle it in my hands. “My precious.”

“The one you’ve been eyeing.” He grins.

“How did you know? You don’t know anything about lenses.” He’s so pleased with himself and it makes my heart swell.

“I hacked your computer,” he says solemnly, and I gape.

“Kidding. I was looking over your shoulder while you were online shopping. I’m pretty proud of that one.”

“You remain the most wonderful man I’ve ever met.”

“Tell me again.” He smiles, and his eyes crinkle.

“So modest, too.” I poke him in the side and he grabs my hand.

“I expect you to use this to take photos of your hot boyfriend while he surfs.”

“Who?” I tease.

He grabs me around the waist and swings me into the air while I gasp. “Miles, if you throw me into the ocean, you’ll ruin my camera,” I yelp.

“I’m dragging you home. You’re my present. Come on, princess.”

He carries me back inside, his arms strong enough that he doesn’t stop to adjust me. He kicks the door in and carries me all the way to the kitchen.

Liam is up, pouring coffee. He pulls a disgusted face at our antics.

“Nothing could have prepared me for this horror,” he says, but he’s smiling.

“Merry Christmas to you too,” I say. “Don’t pretend to be disgusted. You practically pushed us together.” I roll my eyes and refill my coffee.

“So you’re saying you owe it all to me?” He sips his coffee and raises a brow. “I better be getting a big gift this year.”

“Just some coal.” I smile sweetly.

“Good morning, children.” Louise Becker enters the kitchen. “I see we’re all up early.”

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