Page 207 of Choosing You

“Are you still hearing her like you used to?”

“Not as much anymore.”

“Jade, you need to stop listening to those voices and whatever they’re telling you. That wasn’t your mom talking. It was the drugs. She didn’t know what she was saying.”

“I know. It’s just going to take a while for my mind to finally believe that.”

His thumb begins gently circling the palm of my hand, which is surprisingly soothing. “Things are going to get better now, Jade. The voices will go away and Frank will get out of the hospital and my dad will take care of Sinclair. Plus, Blake is gone. Decker sent me a text saying that Blake’s going to college in San Diego this spring. You won’t have to worry about him. And I won’t either.”

“When did you get the text?”

“Earlier this morning when you were in your room getting ready.”

“Well, at least one problem is gone.” I glance over at the Christmas tree in the corner. Even though it’s sunny, we turned on the twinkling white lights and they keep catching my eye.

“So what do you want for Christmas?” Garret asks.

I turn to face him. “Garret, don’t. Do not spend any more money on me. You’re not getting me anything.”

“Come on. Just one thing?” He cocks his head and smiles.

“No. Absolutely not.”

“But I love giving presents. And you’ve never had a real Christmas. You need at least a few presents.”

“I don’t need anything. You’ve already bought me enough. You gave me that dress, the shoes, and those diamond earrings. That’s enough to last for the next five years.”

“Those weren’t gifts. That was just stuff you needed for the party. Just tell me one thing that you want.”

“I don’t want anything other than for Frank to get better and this whole mess with Sinclair to go away.”

“There has to be something you want. Some new running shoes? A watch? Anything?”

“Nope. Besides, I don’t have any money to getyouanything.”

He’s quiet and then says, “Well, I kind of already got you something.”

“Garret!”

“It’s not a big deal. It wasn’t expensive. It cost less than $2.”

“Oh. Then I guess that’s all right. But now I’ll have to find something for you.”

“Okay, but it has to be less than $2.”

“How is that possible? What did you get me? A pack of gum? A candy bar?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see.” He leans over and kisses me.

I kiss him back and soon we’re kissing and touching each other in a way that’s probably not appropriate in the sunroom.

“You want to go upstairs?” he asks. “Nobody’s around. My dad’s at work. Charles went to the store. And the maid is watching her soaps in the guest house.”

“Hmm.” I pretend to think hard about it. “I’ll race you!” I jump up from the sofa and run to the stairs with Garett close behind. We’re halfway up the stairs when the doorbell rings. We both stop.

“It’s probably the guy delivering my car. I’ll go check. You wait upstairs.”

“No, I want to see the car. Did your dad get the same one?”

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