Page 163 of Steps

“Well, it’s no secret you love writing in journalsso…” She shrugs. “Hope you fill this one with your magic.”

“Thank you, really.”

We hug and giggle with each other. I hand Daniel’sgift to him next.

He seems appreciative of his new tie andcufflinks, but I bet he has a lot already. Mom loves her new shawl. The lastperson I have a gift for is Varen.

As usual, he’s quietly sitting off to the side,accepting and giving presents with a relaxed smile.

Getting up from the pile of wrappers near the well-decoratedgreen Christmas tree, I sit beside him on the bench and hand him my gift box.

“You didn’t have to,” he says, glancing at it.

“I know, but I wanted to.”

He unties the red ribbon and lifts off the cover.A broad smile appears as he looks at the photo of us at a paint tossingsession. We’re oblivious as the employee caught us staring at each otherdreamily. The messy wall of colors in the background.

“How cool,” he says, peering up at me.

The love burning within his blue eyes stirs thejittery feeling in my stomach, making me look down shyly. Funny how he stillhas that effect on me after nearly eight months together.

Moving the photo aside, Varen looks at my secondgift: a personalized wallet with his name on it.

“Awesome. Thank you.” He’s about to lean in for akiss but hesitates and glances at our parents.

Daniel clears his throat and excuses himself to gostart Christmas lunch. Mom spins around and fidgets with ornaments on the tree.She seems beyond uneasy. Alison busies herself with the makeup kit and its manycompartments.

Looking back at each other, Varen’s smile falters.He kisses my cheek instead.

“Um, there’s a third, but you have to go with me,”I whisper, not wanting my mom to hear.

He arches his brow. “What is it?”

I flash a sneaky grin. “You’ll find out soon.”

Varen plays with the piercing at the corner of hismouth. I can tell he badly wants to kiss me but is considerate of our parents.

Sticking his hand in the pocket of his jeans, hetakes out a small purple box and gives it to me. “I suck at buying things foryou when you’re not there. So, I hope you like this.”

I roll my eyes playfully. “I’m sure I will.” ThenI open the box, gushing at the gold, teardrop pendant earrings with amethyststones. “Varen, these are beautiful.”

A satisfied expression masks his face. “Glad youlike them.”

Ignoring our surrounding, I press a kiss to hislips. “Thank you. I love them.”

He can’t help smiling in return, then peeks at mymom. She exhales intensely and begins picking up the wrappers off the rug withnewfound determination.

Alison ignores it and smiles at us.

“I have another gift for you,” Varen whispers,drawing back my attention. “I’ll give it to you when we get home.”

“Oh.” Heat trickles across my skin. I touch myhair.

Varen snorts. “Something else, not that.”

I chuckle shyly then stand to help clean up.

A few minutes later, we eat Daniel’s ScottishChristmas lunch: mince and tatties, along with leeks soup. Then head to theapartment.

---