Page 65 of Only Ever You

It’s a candid shot of us. My arm’s around Pippa’s waist and we’re looking at each other like there’s no one else in the room. I know for me there was only her.

“Why did you think that I’d think this was stupid?” I ask.

“Because it’s just a photo of us and not some crazy expensive present.”

I gaze into her eyes before I place the photo on my lap and pull her closer to kiss her. “I don’t need expensive presents. I just need you.”

She snuggles in against me. “I thought you could put it on your desk at work.”

After kissing her temple, I take another look. She’s had it framed in a simple silver frame, and I already know where I’ll put it. “It’ll look great there. I get to look at you all day.”

Pippa raises her face, and I give her another tender kiss.

“Hey, love birds,” Lucas calls. “This is from me.”

He walks over and places a long, flat gift on her lap.

“I don’t know if you’re planning on moving in together, but I’m sure it’ll happen at some point. Anyway, I made this for your home—wherever that ends up being.” Leaning over, he pecks Pippa on the cheek before retreating.

She picks it up. “It’s heavy, whatever it is.”

“Just open it, Pip.” I laugh.

“You have to help me. It’s for both of us.”

I chuckle as I rip the end of the paper. “You do the rest.”

She eagerly tears it apart before pulling out a beautiful wooden chopping board.

“Is that … kauri?” I ask.

“It is. We had a job earlier in the year where the customer let us keep the offcuts. I was trying to work out what to give you for a Christmas present, and then you got serious with Deacon, so I thought I’d make you an early house-warming gift,” Lucas says.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you so much.”

I slip an arm around Pippa’s shoulders and pull her to me. It means a lot that Lucas was thinking of both of us, but is it enough?

I think what we’re both putting off is the conversation we really need to have.

Chapter Twenty-One

Pippa

Deacon drops onto the couch next to me.

It’s New Year’s Eve, and we’re here for two more days before returning to Auckland.

We’ve had a good break, but I think we’re both ready to be alone together.

There’s always a buzz in this place. Mum especially fusses over Deacon, and I get it—it’s like her long, lost son has come home.

Tensions have even eased between Deacon and Lucas. I’m not sure they’ll ever be good friends again, but they tolerate each other which I can handle.

“How do you feel about going for a walk?” Deacon asks.

He leans his head on my shoulder, and I rest my head on his. “I think I’d like that.”

“We’ll go visit our old haunts.”

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