Page 19 of I Choose You
“That’s so cute.”
Reid scratched at his jaw and shrugged.
“You and your family are really close, aren’t you?” I asked.
“Yeah, I guess. I have a sister in New York who likes topretend she’s in LA based on how often she makes it home, but other than that, we’re all here in town.”
“It seems like it’s more than that. Just because you’re close in proximity doesn’t necessarily mean you’d have such close-knit relationships.”
“True. My brothers are a pain in my ass sometimes, but I love them.”
Reid picked up and put down at least four different snow globes while we chatted. He seemed intent on finding just the right one.
“What’s your mom like? Maybe I can help you decide,” I said.
Reid’s gaze met mine, his deep brown eyes searching my face with a level of intensity that I didn’t understand. He turned back to the display before speaking again.
“She was great. She loved to make people laugh and was always willing to get in the dirt and play with us. She would sing while she made dinner. And I don’t mean softly to herself. I mean full-on concert-level productions as she spun around the kitchen.”
Reid’s smile grew wider and wider as he spoke, his eyes alight with what I could only imagine were memories based on the past tense.
I reached out and placed my hand on his arm. “Reid, I’m so sorry.”
He shook his head, the light in his eyes dimming before he went back to looking at the snow globes in front of him.
“It was a long time ago. But every year, we get her a snow globe for Christmas. I have no idea what my father does with them all,” he laughed, “but he never stops us from getting more of them.”
“What about this one?” I asked. The medium-sized globe had a beautiful wooden base with just a touch of gold accents. Inside was a copse of three fir trees with a dusting of snow, and on one of the trees, a dove was perched. I gently tipped the globe upside down and then right side up. Mini snowflakes drifted down slowly, like they were floating in air, suspended in time for just a moment.
“It’s perfect, Claire. Thank you,” he said.
“Are you sure? It’s just an option. There are so many to choose from.” I was suddenly concerned that I was overstepping. This was a sentimental moment for him. One that his brothers could participate in, but who was I to insert myself in this decision?
“I love it. Seriously.” He looked at me so earnestly. I nodded and passed him the snow globe to purchase it.
We walked further, circling the Christmas market.
“Ooh, can we stop at this one?” I asked, approaching a cute little ornament booth. It wasn’t the first ornament booth we’d passed—not by a long shot—but rather than glass or wooden or ceramic ornaments, these were all made from colored sea glass. The blue and turquoise colors didn’t lend themselves to a Christmassy feel, but I was immediately drawn to them.
Each ornament was so unique and original. I let my fingers glide against each one, amazed at the power of water. Something that seemed so weak and malleable was actually the strongest force of nature on the planet.
One particular ornament caught my eye. It was a collection of smoothed greenish-blue stones set atop one another, smallest to largest, creating a Christmas-tree-esque image. A small star made from stone sat at the top.
“You like that one?” Reid asked, his breath tickling the backof my neck. I didn’t realize how close he was standing. If I leaned back just a little, I would press against his chest.
“Hmm? Oh, yeah.” My voice came out breathy.
Reid leaned over and plucked it from my hands.
“Hey,” I chided playfully.
“I’m just looking at it,” he said, turning the ornament around in his hands. I turned back to the display, admiring all the creativity that went into making these. I felt the moment he walked away, the air at my back suddenly making me chilly.
All of the ornaments were beautifully created, but the Christmas tree one was definitely my favorite. It was a little pricy when I had looked at the tag, but I had a little extra since I wasn’t paying for rent. A lot of my money went to eating out since I didn’t have a kitchen at the motel, and my food stipend didn’t go too far, but still, I could afford a little treat.
I turned around to look for Reid so I could get the ornament back and pay for it. He was standing by the table, leaning back with a bag in his hand. The woman behind the table bounced her gaze between me and Reid, but Reid was only looking at me. I found that I didn’t really mind his gaze on me, not when he was looking like that.
“What’s that?” I asked, pointing to the bag.
