Page 60 of Ciaran

“Confession time. I didn’t wrap these myself. Laurella did.”

“That girl is a wonder,” I say.

He passes me the smaller of the two gifts. “This one first.”

My fingers tremble as I untie the bow and carefully unwrap the paper. Even as a child, I always savored the opening of gifts. For me, it draws out the anticipation and heightens the pleasure.

Inside is a black, velvet, square box. Holding my breath, I open it. Nestled on the green velvet—the color reminds me of Ciaran’s eyes—is a trio of silver bangles. I take them out. Each one has an inscription with a different message.

My love. My life. My Mia.

My hand flies to my throat. “Oh, Ciaran. They’re gorgeous.”

“Here,” he says, taking them from me. He slips them over my wrist. “They look good on you.”

As I twist my wrist from side to side, they make a lovely tinkling sound. “I adore them.”

He picks up the other gift and hands it to me. “I hope you don’t think I’ve been presumptuous when you open this, but, well…” He shakes his head as though he’s annoyed with himself. “Just open it.”

I do as he asks. Inside is a glossy magazine, or at least that’s what I first think until I turn it over and see it’s a prospectus for a college right here in New York.

Confused, I frown. “What’s this?”

“Hear me out,” he says. “I know you always wanted to be a teacher. It’s never too late to follow your dreams. You’re only twenty-eight. My boss has a contact at this college. She’s arranged for you to have a tour of the campus in the New Year. You know… see if you like it. And if you do, well, then you could start next fall. I know that’s a long way off but?—”

I place my finger over his lips, silencing him. “It’s a lovely thought, Ciaran, but I can’t afford the fees.”

“You can if I help.”

I shake my head. “I pay my own way.”

His nostrils flare as he breathes. “Stop being so proud. Let me help you. I have the money, and who better to spend it on than the woman I love.” His big hand closes over mine, swallowing it whole. “I want to do this, Mia.” He produces an impish grin. “I’m sure we can come up with some interesting ways for you to thank me.”

His teasing encourages a smile to form. “I’ll bet you can.”

“At least go for a visit, check the place out. That can’t hurt, can it?”

He’s so eager, so earnest, it seems churlish to cast aside his thoughtful gift without at least taking a look around.

“Okay. I’ll go, but no promises.”

He flashes me a smug grin, and I roll my eyes.

“Do you want your present now?” I ask.

His forehead wrinkles in surprise. “You got me something?”

Anxiety mingled with excitement spreads through my midsection. His gift had been hard to organize, and it cost more than I anticipated spending, but if he likes it, none of that will matter. I climb out of bed and lower to my knees. I hid the present under the bed because I doubt Ciaran would ever peek under there. The chance to make him laugh comes to me, and I pop my head back up. “And before you make a wisecrack, no, it isn’t what you think.”

He throws back his head and laughs, the sound filling me with joy. I thought happiness like this only existed in romance novels and movies.

My fingers wrap around the box, and I pull it toward me before setting it on top of the bed. My teeth worry my lip. “I hope you like it. You’re a hard man to buy for.”

His eyes glow with excitement as he reaches for the box. I hadn’t tied his with a bow—that didn’t seem to fit for a man—but I did take extra care making sure all the corners were neatly tucked in.

I needn’t have bothered. Ciaran tears at the paper, and not even along the seams. Opening the box, he peers inside. “Oh, Mia.” He lifts out the custom model I had made of his boat, Rebecca. “It’s amazing. How did you do this?”

“Callum took me down to the mooring so I could take photographs, and Laurella helped me find someone local who could make a replica from the images.” I point to the back of the boat. I can’t for the life of me remember the correct term. “See, they even got her name on there. Rebecca.”

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