Page 144 of Drop Shot
I remove my apron and hang it on the door knob to my miniscule pantry before I join my favorite person and my favorite cat on the couch.
“Can I give you an early Christmas present?” I ask him, trying—and most definitely failing—to hide my glee.
Elias raises a single brow, fingers absentmindedly rubbing Craig on top of her head. The cat leans into his touch, purring loudly. “Why? There are technically only a few hours until Christmas.”
Curling my legs under me, I frown. “Because I want to and I’m impatient and you love me so you’ll say yes?”
He laughs, leaning over to kiss me. “All valid points. All right. What is it?”
I scurry over to where the presents rest under the tree and select the special box I set aside because I hoped he’d indulge me and open it early. Settling back on the couch, I hand him the present.
He stares at it in the palm of his hand before carefully removing the wrapping paper with a design of nutcrackers on it. I picked that specific paper for all of his gifts—it’s always been a tradition in my family for every person to have their own paper.
Staring at the simple white box that’s left in his hand, he carefully removes the top lid and reveals the gift inside that sits nestled in tissue paper.
He raises his brows, lips parted in surprise. “You’re giving me a key to your place?” I shake my head and his brows quickly knit. “You’re not? What’s it for then?”
“Itisa key to my place, but it’s not just that—I’m asking you to move in. We both prefer it here and I know we don’t get to be in Miami much of the year, but it doesn’t make sense for you to keep your place when you’re always here anyway when we’re in town and I…” I stop to catch my breath. I didn’t intend to ramble, but this is a big deal. I’ve never asked a guy to move in with me before. “I want you to live here permanently. If that’s what you want too.”
He puts the lid back on the box and sets it on the coffee table. At first, I think maybe he’s not fond of the idea, but then he reaches for me and pulls me in for a deep, mind-numbing kiss. Craig hisses and jumps off his lap, not liking being stuck between the two of us.
“This is the best fucking thing you could give me for Christmas.”
I laugh as he kisses me again. “You want to move in?”
“Hell yeah. I’m calling a realtor first thing tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow’s Christmas,” I remind him.
He gives a heavy, deep sigh. “The next day then.” He smooths my hair behind my ear. “Thank you, baby. This is the best gift ever.”
Elias puts a movie on and I somehow manage to get myself up and grab the tray of cookies before sitting back beside him. I curl my body into his as the movie begins and Craig decides to rejoin us, lying beside me much to Elias’s annoyance.
The love of my life is going to move in permanently and then … well, whatever comes next, I know it’s going to be a beautiful life.
