Page 133 of You Found Me
He chuckles. “It appears that way. I’m just lucky the pants are only half a size too small, otherwise I’d be really uncomfortable.”
Mia doesn’t hide the fact that she’s ogling him. “And I’d justhatefor you to be uncomfortable. But—”
Whatever she plans to say is cut off when her eyes find their way back to his chest and I know she’s laid eyes on his piercings. Spencer leans in, whispering, “She’s one of the women who loved pierced men, huh?”
I can’t help but giggle. “She is. I think it’s surprising her that someone like your brother would have them. But if I know my best friend, she’s starting to think of Beckett as a potential lay.”
“Cat got your tongue, Sunshine?” Beckett says, snapping Mia out of her daze.
She straightens. “I’m here to pick up cinnamon rolls. So, if you’ll excuse me, Beckett.”
Mia comes barreling toward me and pulls me into the kitchen with her, whisper shouting through her teeth, “How come you didn’t tell me his nipples were pierced? Or that he’s got a sexy as sin happy trail and a deep V?”
“You do realize that I’m in love with his brother, not him right? Besides, you’re telling me that you didn’t ever realize your ‘bestie’ is totally your type?”
“Ugh,” she says, clearly flustered. “Whatever. Can you give me the rolls? I feel the energy shift is not in my favor and I don’t like it.”
“He’s just another man you’d chew up and spit out if you got your hands on him. And I don’t mean that in a way to make you sound like a terrible person.I knowthatyou knowhe’s different from the other men you’ve had in your life.”
Mia smiles, albeit small. “I know. His little comment threw me off is all.”
Smirking, I say, “Whatever makes you feel better. Here, these are ready to be delivered. Tell Lettie I put extra cinnamon sugar in their batch.”
“Will do, boss. Thank you for these. I’ve missed them. Merry Christmas, Ems.”
“Merry Christmas to you, too, Mia. I’ll see you at the apartment sometime this week.”
***
In my teen years, early mornings were my enemy.
My parents came up with the idea to open gifts no earlier than eleven and it’s something that stuck all these years later. Granted, I grew out of that morning irritability with school and work, hence why I was up early to bake the cinnamon rolls. When our parents—dads included—came back from their walk, we all sit in the living room to watch the original Grinch movie while eating breakfast.
Mom finally got a good look at Beckett and falls into a bout of laughter. “Sweetie, you don’t have to wear that if you’re uncomfortable. I didn’t think to look at the sizing to make sure it was right.”
He gives a little laugh. “It’s actually not too bad. I wore cutoff shirts playing ball—granted they weren’t as tight.”
None of them comment on his nipple rings, either not noticing or not wanting to open up a can of worms. The movie ends signaling it’s time for presents. Dad gets up, always the one to play Santa, and starts handing each of us a gift. Spence let me know last night that his parents have a stocking filled up for each of them every year with scratch-offs, candy, and a card with money and to expect one.
My mom and dad have bought me an ornament of their choosing since I was a little girl and it’s always the first I put on the tree the following year. This year is no different. My ornament is a wildflower field, similar to that of Meadow Springs, with the year written on it signifying my return home.
I feel myself starting to get emotional. I mean I’m so happy to be back in Meadow Springs, obviously not happy with thewhybut I’m back with my family and friends in a place that means so much to me. I stand, rushing over to my mom. “Thank you for this. And thank you for letting me move back in.”
“We weren’t going to let you be homeless. I wish you were still living with us though.”
I chuckle. “Walking in on you and Dad more than once was too much for me. I had to leave.”
“Suze, you dirty dog,” June laughs out before looking at her husband. “Bill, why aren’t you throwing me down around the house to have your way with me?”
“Junie, you know good and well you only like it in the bedroom or the laundry room. The last time I tried to be spontaneous, you chewed me out.”
“Oh my god. This is actually a nightmare, right?” Spencer asks.
“If it is, we’re having the same one at the same time and I’d like it to end now,” Beckett groans.
The rest of us laugh at their discomfort, making my dad toss the boys a bone. “We couldn’t not get you boys an ornament. You’re part of the family now. We don’t know you as well as we know Em, but we tried with what little knowledge we had.”
Dad hands Spencer and Beckett their small boxes. I didn’t know they were going to get them one, but I’m not surprised. Spencer gets his opened first, revealing a snow globe ornament with the San Francisco skyline inside. Clearly, they saw histattoo and figured it had a special meaning. Spence smiles. “Thank you. Other than my tattoo, I don’t have anything related to this skyline. This is perfect.”
