Page 18 of Her Paramedic
“Solomon, this is an A and B conversation. See your way out of it.”
His dad snorted at the corny joke, and Slate chuckled before answering, “I did. I haven’t given it to her yet.”
“Ooh, what is it?”
“Stop being nosy, honey,” his father said, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
She responded by tossing a piece of diced tomato at him, which his father easily sidestepped, and she turned her attention back to cooking.
After breakfast, they exchanged gifts. Slate gave them the two small ones he’d placed in the stockings. His parents tended to buy things as soon as they wanted them, which made it hard to buy gifts for them. He’d gotten his mother a pair of earrings and his father a new set of cufflinks. When they opened the gifts from under the tree, it was a new coffee machine and a new electric kettle. While his mom appreciated the earrings, Slate was sure the kettle was her favorite.
He received a new slim wallet and a gift card to an auto parts store in his stocking, which he would always be grateful for. Restoring vehicles, while one of his passions, could become costly, and though what he put into it could be recouped once sold, the less he spent, the better.
He also got a new dent-pulling kit, which he desperately needed, and a whiskey tactical box. It came with two glasses, a pair of tongs, two coasters, and six chilling stones.
His parents exchanged the gifts they’d gotten for each other. Then, the three got dressed and headed to volunteer.
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“Are you going?” Nova asked as the two were making cocktails for the other four women.
“I don’t know,” Talia responded.
“What would be the harm in doing so? You like him, he likes you, and it isn’t like you’d be in a group of people you don’t know.”
That was true. Her little sisters would also be there. Getting away for a day wouldn’t hurt, and she’d enjoyed spending time with him on their previous dates. She’d text him tomorrow afternoon to take him up on his invitation if it was still extended.
“So, did you get him a gift?” Nova asked with a teasing smile.
“Yes, I did.”
“When do you plan on giving it to him?”
“New Year’s Eve.”
“That means you’re going.”
“I am. I’m sure it’ll be fun.”
They carried the drinks into the living room, where the others had set up the next game. They were down two. Journee was spending Christmas with Killian. Kaydence and Axel were spending their first holiday as newlyweds alone.
They played Taboo for an hour, then Heads Up, and had another round of drinks. When eleven o’clock rolled around, she, Aariah, and Aryah shared an Uber. Alivia and Zuri were staying at Nova’s for the night.
The driver first dropped the twins off at their building before taking Talia to her house. She had a few appointments tomorrow, but the day after Christmas was always slow. She saw the same three clients every year. They always tipped her well, and she was out of the salon each time by two-thirty.
She showered and got into bed, checking her phone to ensure her alarm was set before turning in for the night.
Talia was about to put her shears in to disinfect when the door of her shop opened. The other stylists who were working that day were with clients, and her receptionist had requested the day off.
“Hey, can I help you?”
“I’m here for a wash and trim.”
“Okay. Do you have an appointment?” Talia asked, going around the desk to the computer.
“No. I was hoping someone could fit me in.”
“Of course. I’m free to take you.” She led the woman to her chair. “I’m Talia. You want a basic wash and trim?”
