Page 67 of Walk Off

“Your turn,” Cassidy said, lifting her eyebrows.

She sucked in a deep breath and began opening the small box. Her heart was beating fast in her chest at the anticipation of what was inside. When she opened the lid, she was pretty sure she stopped breathing.

Nestled in several pieces of tissue paper was an old music box. One she’d seen in a store window all those years ago. She didn’t remember ever mentioning to him how much she’d wanted it and wasn't able to afford it.

Needing to know how he’d known she’d wanted it so badly, she picked up the note.

Every time we walked by the store with this in the window, you got wistful. Now it’s yours to look at whenever you want.

He’s seen how much she wanted it without even speaking the words. No one had ever paid attention to her that much. He had. And even more, he remembered all these years later.

“What is it?” Jasmine asked, peering into the box.

“It’s a music box, sweetie.”

“It looks old.” Her voice held disgust. Kids didn’t understand that old things could be important.

“I think it is,” Cassidy said. “I’m assuming there is some significance to this?”

Celia nodded, but was afraid if she spoke, she’d start crying. Instead, she pulled it out of the box and admired it closely. She’d only ever seen it from the outside window. The markings were intricate and carved deep into the wood. It had to be at least a hundred years old, if not older. It was completely handcrafted which was why she’d fallen in love with it in the first place.

She was in awe of both the music box and Kyle. She’d always known he was a good guy. A guy who listened and paid attention. Him forgiving her for not telling him about Jasmine was proof.

This was something else.

This was him telling her he wasn't letting her push him away.

And Jesus, that made her want to fucking swoon.

“Mom, can we call Dad and thank him?” Jasmine was jumping up and down in front of her.

“Uh yeah, that’s fine.” She wanted to thank him just as much as her daughter.

Jasmine ran out of the room, giving her just enough time to collect herself before she had to see him. How was she supposed to talk to the man when she was having a hard enough time talking to her kid and friends?

“We should probably go,” Cass said. “Call me tomorrow. I want to hear all about this call.” Her eyes sparked with mischief.

Cassidy knew as well as she did that this was breaking her down. Inch by inch, piece by piece, Kyle seemed determined to win her heart. She wanted to give it to him. It had been his since that fateful day in the grocery store all those years ago. Why shouldn’t he have it now?

Because it wasn’t just her heart. It was also Jasmine’s. What kind of mom would she be if she let them both get attached, and then something happened and he left?

The worst kind, that’s what kind.

The same kind as her own mother, who she swore she’d never be like. She’d vowed to always put Jasmine first, and that’s what she was doing.

“Mom.” Jasmine came running back into the room, iPad in hand. “Can I call him now?”

“Yeah, baby, go ahead.” Nerves coursed through her. What did you say to the man you loved but could never have after he sent you the most perfect gift? Thanks didn’t really seem like enough. But ‘fuck me now’ was definitely too much.

Especially with their daughter present.

Ringing filled the room and then the sound of Kyle’s voice. “Hey, Jazz, how’s it going?” He sounded happy and excited. And also sexy. That was nothing new. He always sounded sexy.

“I love my present!’ Jasmine said excitedly.

“I was hoping you would.” It took everything inside her not to scoot closer to Jasmine so she could see his face. She knew that it would be filled with the same excitement as Jasmine's.

“Mom’s is pretty cool too, even though it’s old.” Jasmine scrunched up her face, like saying the word old left a bad taste in her mouth.

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