Page 51 of Waiting For Fate

“Who the fuck is Glenda?” I ask, watching Tank snicker as he walks up behind Max.

“She’s the jewelry store lady,” Max growls. “It’s a long story. What are you getting Leah?” He dismisses the conversation and I nod to the bookstore before the four of us walk in together.

The amount of mouths hanging open and lingering glances are not lost on me. Tucker stops in front of an end cap and points to a sign that reads Hockey Romance and barks out a laugh.

“Dude, look, they have a section about you.” I roll my eyes and we each pick up a book and thumb through them.

“Oh, shit,” Tucker says, rearing his head back and slamming the book shut. “I didn’t know they made books dirty like that.” He sits the book back down and rubs his hands on his shirt like it he touched something he shouldn’t have, and I can’t hold back my laugh.

“Yeah, well I’m not too keen on the idea that I get her a sexy book about the sport I play for Christmas. Seems a bit forward, doesn’t it?” I glance up and see Max and Tank both staring very hard at a book that I can’t see the title of. Whatever it is, they’re completely engrossed by it.

I think hard about the book I heard her telling the girls about while we were at the dinner the other night and vaguely remember the name of the author.

I look around for what feels like an eternity but when I have no luck, I grab my phone and search the author’s name and find all her books online. I sit on one of the chairs at the bookstore coffee shop, looking through the entire list of books by this woman and when I finally see one that I think—hope—she’ll love, I order it and finally stand to rejoin the guys. They’re going to have to get over the fact that I cheated and ordered one of her gifts online because this is the only thing that I feel even slightly confident she’ll like.

“I think I’m gonna grab her a mug and then we can bounce,” I announce and the guys regroup around me. They all share a worried glance and I let out a laugh.

“Don’t worry, I have a plan. I’m not getting her just a mug.” Tank whistles and pats me on the back.

“I thought for a second Max was going to lose his spot as the worst shopper.” Max rolls his eyes at the comment.

“I got my wife and my daughter matching bracelets as well as the matching slippers and pajamas as requested. I think you’re projecting. I’m an excellent shopper.”

“So domesticated,” Tucker jokes.

“Where the hell did you hear that term?” Tucker scoffs, but when Max raises a brow demanding an answer his face falls.

“Leah. She said I was domesticated when I was baking the other night,” Tucker mumbles. I laugh so loud I feel like I’m about to get shushed by an angry librarian.

That’s my girl.

“So that was her polite way of saying you’re whipped.” Tank smirks and now all of us were smiling.

“Hi, did you guys need any help with anything?” a girl in a bookstore apron and glasses asks, looking up at us.

“No ma’am. Thank you though, we were just heading out.” I smile at her, and she nods while still staring at us with an endearing smile on her face. She doesn’t move though; she just stands there staring at us. I glance over at Tank, and he shrugs.

“You okay there, Becky?” I glance down at her name tag and her mouth pops open, her cheeks turning rosy before she glances down and blows out a puff of air.

“So great… okay, buh bye now.” Then she races off in the other direction.

Weird.

I grab Leah a mug that has a worm wearing glasses and reading a book and call it quits. This book better get here in time, or I’m screwed.

CHAPTER 22

LEAH

“Happy Christmas Eve, eve!” Shane yells as she walks through the door with her Christmas onesie on. It’s been a tradition for as long as I can remember that we wear the most festive pajamas we can find, order in our favorite food from Casa Taco, and watch Christmas movies and just be together on the day before Christmas Eve.

“Get your fine asses in here, we’re starving!” Lauren yells from her place next to me on the couch. Lauren snuggles are some of the most precious things you can imagine having in life. She’s one of the fiercest, strongest women I know, so when she’s comfortable enough to snuggle up to you while wearing a Rudolph onesie that has a butt flap in it—you’re in her safe zone.

“Sorry, Enrique wouldn’t stop flirting with Ruby.”

“Lower your voice, Tank might hear you. Then who will give us free cheese dip.” Taylor slaps her hand over Shane’s mouth dramatically. Shane jerks away and scowls at her.

“Why would he stop giving us free cheese dip?”

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