Page 70 of Instinct & New Identity

He grinned. “Openthe rest.”

I looked down and opened the other envelope, then pulled out two folded-up pieces of paper.AfterIopened them,Iscanned the contents and felt my breathing stop.Thepapers in my hand started to move, or maybe that was just because my hands shook.

“Really?”Ilooked up atVince, my eyes filling with tears.

“My sister said it’s easier to get tickets to aTaylorSwiftconcert overseas than it was here in theStates, soIfigure we can go visitBarcelonaand see your girl at the same time,”Vinceexplained simply, like he hadn’t just rocked my world.

That did it.Mybody rocked with a full-on ugly sob.Icovered my face with my hands asIbroke down, thinking about how wonderfully thoughtful this gift was and how muchIlovedVince.

The papers were pulled from my hand.Bothhands were gently pulled from my face, and through tear-filled eyes,Isaw a blurryVincein front of me.

“Not quite the reactionIwas expecting, sweetheart,” he said with a small smirk quirking up one side of his lips.

My breath hitched as guilt took over.Ididn’t want him to think thatIdidn’t like the gift.Iwas just overwhelmed by my emotions.

“I love you,VinceFletcher,”Iwhispered to him as my sobs started to slow.

As soon as the words were out of my mouth,Irealized whatI’dsaid.I’djust toldVinceIloved him.IknewImeant it, but maybe this wasn’t the best time to tell him.Iclosed my tear-filled eyes as embarrassment began to flow through me.Whatif he didn’t say it back?

“Kit-Cat, look at me,” he whispered as he cupped my face and used his thumbs to wipe my tears away.

I opened my eyes, unsureIwanted to see his face if he didn’t feel the same.

“I love you too.”

That broke me again.Thosewords, spoken by someone who meant the world to me, opened up my emotional floodgates even more.

“Best…present…ever,”Iwhisper-sobbed through a new round of tears.

“I’m glad you think so,” he said, smiling.

His smile was so handsome,Ileaned forward to feel it on my lips.Ikissed him, hoping to convey to him how happyIwas through that kiss sinceIwasn’t yet capable of putting together full sentences.

There was a loud cat call behind us, andIstarted to pull back, butVinceheld me tight and kept hold of the kiss a little longer.Whenhe finally pulled back, he took his thumbs and wiped away my tears, and likely most of the mascara that was now smeared all over my face.

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,”Itold him, needing him to know.

“Right back at ya, sweetheart.”Hesmiled back at me, and finally let my face go, but moved his hand to hold mine.

“Hate to break up this love fest, but it’s time to go,”Valreminded us as shepoked her head into the doorway with a sly smile. “Vince, you help me gather up the food, whileAliceCooperhere fixes her mascara.”

Ten minutes later, we were all loaded up inVince’scar,Harryincluded.Somany emotions and thoughts rolled through my head while we drove.HappinessthatVinceloved me.Contentmentwith my life right now.Excitementfor aChristmasspent with new friends.Friendswho felt like family.

When we arrived atVince’sparents’ house, the three of us carried everything in and spent a few minutes saying hello to everyone.Vince’smom smotheredValand me with hugs before commandeeringHarryto take him to his cat castle while his dad gave us much more of a sedate but still genuine greeting.

We ate pretty much right away since most of the food was warm and ready.Sinceit was more of a pot-luck style, we set it all out like a buffet in the kitchen, and everyone helped themselves.Themeal was great, and the company was even better.

After we ate, we all sat around theirChristmastree in the living room and began our fun gift exchange.

Vince’s mom gotRuthiematching pajamas for her andDash.Ruthiesmiled, thoughDashdidn’t look nearly as excited to be wearing it when she tried it on him.

Axel hadJackand got him a naughtySwedishdictionary filled only with curse words and inappropriate phrases.Therewere also a few bags ofDalahorse gummy candies.

I was next, and whenIunwrapped the gift fromJenny,Istarted laughing when it was theTaylorSwiftsocks to matchVince’s.Ilaughed even harder whenIlooked over atVince, who was just rolling his eyes.

“You can wear them toBarcelona!”Jennyyelled.

I turned back toVince, who was looking at me with a face that read “Itold you so”.

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