Page 82 of Dump and Chase

She poured us each a cup of coffee and we dove into the pancakes. She updated me on Wolseley’s restaurant, which was booked solid all through the holidays. She’d had some favorable reviews from restaurant critics and hoped to keep the momentum going.

“And Jill’s coming to Vancouver in a few weeks,” Tangi said, grabbing another pancake and slathering it with butter and maple syrup. Richardson’s promoted her to their fledgling Canadian division, but she thinks something is up. I’ll get more details when she gets here.”

“Is she being transferred here?” Jill kind of scared me. I could handle Wolseley anytime, but Jill was a nutcracker, and not the Christmas kind.

“No, but they’re having some meetings here. Maybe a grand opening? I can’t remember. My mind is a sieve lately.”

“When is she coming?”

“First week of January, I think.”

Perfect. I’d be on a road trip.

After breakfast, I insisted we open presents. She opened the socks and gave me socks too, along with a container of protein powder. She’d bought me some protein bars that looked pretty good. She opened the hair accessories and bottle cleaner, leaving the biggest present for last. She tore off the paper and opened the box to find another wrapped box inside. This went on several more times with several cartoonish glares shot my way each time she discovered another wrapped box inside the previous one. When she finally got to the last box, she bit her lip in consternation.

“Is this a jewelry box? Because I didn’t see any jewelry stores open.”

“I guess you’ll have to find out. I bought it a few weeks ago.”

She looked at me with a playful grin as she ripped off the paper and stared at the black velvet box. When she opened it, she gasped. Inside was a gold necklace with a T pendant. I knew she hated flashy, but it was simple and sturdy.

“I should have imposed a spending limit,” she said as she gently ran her finger along with gold.

“You’re special, and I wanted you to know it.”

She kissed my cheek and gave me a hug. She smelled so nice, that lavender and citrus scent. Was it lime? Whatever it was, I didn’t want to let her go.

“Thanks. If I’d known, I would have gotten you another protein powder. I’m starting to feel a little cheap.”

“Cut it out, and come over here so I can put that on you.”

She lifted her hair and I fastened the necklace in place, wanting to run my fingers along the nape of her neck. Her skin was so incredibly soft.

“I’m going to look at it in the mirror,” she said.

I watched her go, feeling my cock twitch. Shit, I had to keep myself under control or I’d blow this. When she returned from her room with a smile, I smiled too.

“It’s beautiful and way too generous.”

“You deserve the best, Tang.”

She looked out the window and I could see her face brighten with an idea. “Christmas is never this warm in Minneapolis, so why don’t we go out enjoy the day? We could walk down to the marina and do whatever we want.”

“That’s a great idea. I’ll grab our jackets.”

***

Two hours later, our faces were ruddy from the brisk ocean air, but neither of us were cold. People were on the waterfront, and we wished them all a merry Christmas. A few recognized me, and I took pictures with some and signed autographs for others. We found a sandwich shop that was open even on Christmas day and bought hot chocolate and sandwiches. By the time we got home, Tangi was exhausted and went for a nap. I figured it was a good time to text Craig. It’d been a while since I’d talked to him.

Merry Christmas!!!

He texted back a few minutes later.

Back at you! How are things going? You and Tang kill each other yet?

Nope. All is good.

But New Year’s Eve is around the corner …

---