Page 73 of This Thing of Ours

They laughed, and her father grumbled while making his way to the couch where Nico and Marco helped him get situated.

“Presents before dinner?” Olivia asked, clapping her hands in excitement.

Nico kissed her forehead. “So impatient, tesoro.”

She looked a little embarrassed. “Well, it is Angelica’s first Christmas. I’m excited to see her open her presents from the family.”

“She’s not even one yet. She’ll be more excited about the wrapping paper than the actual gifts.” He gave her a small smirk. “You know what I think? I think it’s you who’s excited to see whatIgotyou.” He stepped in closer to Olivia and lowered his voice, so Gabby had to strain to hear what he said next. “But I already told you, amore mio, however much you pout, you’re not getting it until tomorrow morning.”

Olivia gave Nico a little smirk of her own. “I bet I could convince you otherwise.”

“Not with a roomful of our family here, you won’t.”

“So, no present?”

“No, Tesoro, no present.”

And with that, Olivia gave Nico one of her famous pouts that Nico kissed from her lips.

Gabby gave them her back at that point, giving them some privacy. Her eyes clashed with Marco’s, and he curled a finger at her in acome heregesture.

He wrapped an arm around her waist and hugged her in close when she reached his side. “What were you doing way over there?”

“Spying on Nico and Olivia.” She quirked her lips. “Did you know, he’s making her wait until tomorrow morning to open his present to her?”

He faked a shocked expression. “Wow, that’s just cruel.”

“But you’re not mean like that, right?”

Marco tipped his head back and laughed, and Gabby held her breath until he recovered and said, “No, streghetta, I’m not that mean. I brought your present with me.”

Gabby grinned. “I brought your present, too. I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

Marco leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Always, cara mia.”

Presents passed aroundand nearly all opened, Gabby and Marco had waited to open each other’s. “You go first,” Gabby said, handing Marco his present.

She waited with impatient expectation as Marco ripped off the paper, opened the box, and moved aside the tissue.

His eyes met hers, and he smiled. “Jeans?”

Gabby bounced in her seat. “Yep.” She’d gotten him three pairs along with some casual shirts. “Now you have something to wear the next time we play miniature golf.”

He gave her a kiss. “Thank you, cara mia.”

“I hope they fit.”

“Something easily rectified, if not.”

He handed her a small square-shaped package. “Your turn.”

More excited and scared than she liked to admit, Gabby tore at the wrapper, revealing a small velvet jeweler’s box. Her eyes flicked to Marco, but she couldn’t read his expression. For being so small, the box felt heavy in her hand and she held her breath—her heart pounding—as she pried open the lid. Nestled inside was a pair of diamond stud earrings. She stared at them.

And told herself she wasn’t disappointed.

She must have been quiet for too long because she heard Marco say, “You don’t like them.”

The last thing she wanted was for Marco to think that. After all, the earrings were magnificent and had to be at least a carat a piece. She looked up at him, feeling horrible as she forced a smile she didn’t really feel and swallowed, shaking her head. “I love them. They’re beautiful.”

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