Page 170 of The Moment We Know

The next morning, Paige arrived early, in time to enjoy the full Christmas experience with Jacob. She had a great time watching him tear through his gifts, and every once in a while she’d catch David’s eye, but instead of thinking sad thoughts, she was firmly rooted in the joy of the moment. She was especially thrilled when Jacob unwrapped the crystal sphere she’d gotten him and held it up with obvious excitement.

Paige knew he didn’t really know what it was, so she quickly filled him in. “That’s called dragon stone,” she said, watching as he looked at it from every angle, taking in the dark green and crimson patterned sphere. “It works on the heart to heal you emotionally and help you become a better person. Plus, it just looks really cool.”

Jacob nodded in agreement.

“There’s also a small wooden stand in the box to set it on,” she told him, and after he dug it out, he set it on the coffee table and placed the sphere on it.

“Thank you,” he said.

“You’re welcome.”

She’d gotten David mostly funny things, such as a ‘Beer of the Month’ membership for goofy craft beers for the next year, and a T-shirt with the Hawkins Middle School logo on it, having remembered he’d almost gotten one, only to get the ‘Scoops Ahoy’ shirt instead, in honor of Steve Harrington. In return, she got a box of Moon Pies from Jacob, which made her laugh, and a bottle of ‘Fantasy’ perfume from David, which made her shake her head. When she opened up the Agent Provocateur gift certificate for $250 dollars, though, her eyes widened.

“What’s that?” Jacob asked.

With David smirking at her, she told the little boy, “It’s a gift certificate.”

“For what?”

“For … clothes.”

Jacob made a face, clearly not impressed with clothing as a gift.

At noon, Valerie came over and a second round of gift opening commenced. Afterward, while David and Jacob watched Elf, Paige and Valerie retired to the kitchen to drink mulled wine and talk, while preparing dinner. Unlike Thanksgiving, Christmas dinner was a simple fare of ham, macaroni and cheese, and green bean casserole, with bread pudding and caramel sauce for dessert.

When Paige left after dinner, she got a warm hug from Valerie, an enthusiastic one from Jacob, and a handsy make-out session with David after he walked Paige down to her car.

It was the best Christmas she’d ever had.

Chapter 69

“Sorry I’m late,” Paige apologized when David opened the door to the loft. “Is he here?”

“No.” David pulled her in for a kiss, then closed the door behind her. “He texted and said he wouldn’t be here until 8 p.m.”

She couldn’t help but be disappointed. She’d been looking forward to meeting Dick for so long, that now any delay was annoying. “Okay.”

“You really want to meet him,” David mused.

“Of course I do. He’s your Jules.”

“He’s not my Jules. For one thing, he’s not crazy.”

“She’s not crazy, either.”

“Oh? Has she started taking meds since the last time I saw her?”

Paige thumped his chest. “That’s not funny. Some people actually do have to take meds—”

“I know. She’s one of them,” he insisted. “And you’re trying not to laugh, so quit pretending I’m wrong.”

When she just continued to look at him with fake indignation, he took her overnight bag and set it down. Then he helped her out of her coat, and after hanging it up, looked her up and down, taking in the outfit she was wearing. It was understated, but sexy, and since he hadn’t seen it before, he wondered if it was new.

Crowding her a bit, he maneuvered her until she had her back to the door. “I like this,” he said, running a finger along the deep neckline of her cashmere wrap-around dress. It was a pretty wine color, with long sleeves and a fitted bodice that showcased her breasts. The slightly flared skirt fell to just above her knees, with her black Louboutin boots completing the look.

His finger dipped down into her cleavage, before moving to the side to reveal the lacy edge of a black bra. “And I really like this.”

“I got it with my gift card. Along with matching panties.”

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