Page 34 of Loving the Legend
“No way! These cost a mint!”
He waves that off. “The accent on the cover is made of 22-karat gold.”
As I stare at him in disbelief, his grin widens at my reaction.
I scan the first few lines of the first chapter, trailing my finger over the cover and smelling the pages.
“Wow, okay, do you need some time alone with it?” he jokes.
“It’s a truly thoughtful gift. Are you sure you don’t want to keep it for yourself?”
“You dig Dumas and the story so much that you thought about getting it tattooed. It belongs to you.”
I grin and stand to hug him, grateful I don’t have a tenting situation in my pants.
He wraps me up in his cocoon embrace. Tension seeps out of me as his strong arms wrap around my back.
I hold on a few seconds longer than I would have yesterday. I start to feel self-conscious about it until I realize he’s holding on too.
I pull away, then punch his arm.
“Ow! What was that for?”
“Inviting me at the last minute. I am usually an excellent gift giver.”
He scoffs and hugs the frame against his chest. “How dare you speak poorly of my gift!”
“Can I ask you a question?”
He nods.
“What did you get Katrina?”
“Uh,” he squints, thinking about it. “My assistant sent over a handbag or necklace.”
“Did your assistant pick out my gift too?”
He shakes his head. "Why?”
I shrug. “Thank you for the gift. I love it.”
He pumps his fist in victory, and I can’t help but grin. “You want to get back to your nap or join us for some bowling?”
“You have a bowling alley?” I ask, wide-eyed.
He nods. “I need to give you a proper tour before you leave.”
“I’m down to bowl.”
“Tommy is a pro. Prepare your ego. He never scores less than 270.” He shakes his head.
“I’m still stuck on you having a bowling alley in your house,” I remark as I pull sweats on from my bag.
“Is this cool, or should I throw on something nicer?”
“Nah, you’re good,” he confirms, scanning my body.
“I’m hungry. Have you eaten?”
