Page 42 of Not Broken (Not Broken 1)

I leaned forward, giving her a quick kiss on the tip of her nose. “I think you’re wrong. I’m sure it’s a thing.”

Taking her hand, I walked her further into the house. On the island in the kitchen sat a large bouquet of roses, along with a bucket of ice chilling a bottle of champagne. Ginger stopped in her tracks when she saw it.

“I had Brenda ask the old owners if I could have this here for you. Happy birthday, Ginger.” I held the small gift bag out toward her, but she didn’t take it. Her eyes remained on the vase, and she looked almost sick at the sight of them. The color had drained from her face and she’d taken a step back from the island.

“You okay?”

She nodded, looking up at me. “Yeah, it’s just a surprise is all.”

“You don’t look like it’s a good surprise.”

“No, it is. What woman doesn’t love getting roses?” She gave me a smile, but it seemed forced. “Thank you.” She took the bag, walked over to the fireplace, and took a seat on the hearth.

I opened the champagne, watching as she opened her gift. Picking up the now filled glasses, I walked over to where she sat.

“You like it? I admit I suck at gifts, but Macy tells me I can never go wrong with jewelry. According to her, the more bling the better, but you aren’t the flashy type.”

“It’s perfect, thank you. And it matches my ring. Will you put it on?” She stood, holding the box out to me.

I sat the glasses on the mantle before taking it from her. Turning her back to me, she waited for me to fasten the delicate platinum chain around her neck. The only bling came from the diamond encrusted infinity symbol that sat in the center. I let my thumbs stroke the soft skin on the back of her neck after I’d done the clasp. I stepped closer, letting my hands move over her shoulders, and down her arms until I linked my fingers with hers, closing our arms around her.

Having her in my arms felt good, felt right. I savored these moments, the ones where she relaxed and stopped overthinking, stopped fighting against the idea of an us and simply lived in the moment.

I pressed my lips to the top of her head. “I love you, Ginger.”

She started to squirm, breaking free of our embrace. She reached past me, grabbing the glasses off the mantle.

“Congrats again.” She clinked our glasses together before downing the contents of hers in one go.

I held my glass out toward her, “Do you want mine, too?”

She looked down at her empty glass before shaking her head. “I was just thirsty.”

“What do you think I’m going to do to you?”

Her face scrunched into a frown. “What? Nothing? Why would you ask that?”

“Because you just downed that glass like you needed the liquid courage for something. And it’s not the first time, so what is it about me that has you so afraid?”

“Why do you do this?”

“Do what?”

“Look for things that aren’t there? I’m not afraid of you, Mal. And I don’t need liquid courage for anything, so I don’t know what you are implying with that statement. I was thirsty, that’s it.”

She walked over to the island to set her glass down. Her head hung down, and I could tell from the rise and fall of her shoulders she was taking slow breaths. I gulped down my champagne; I needed it to calm my temper, to keep things from turning into another argument. They came on fast and out of nowhere most times. Anytime I broached a topic she didn’t like, she went on the defensive.

Walking up behind her, I sat my glass down beside hers. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t implying anything. It just seems like sometimes the longer you’re alone with me, the more nervous you tend to get.”

“I’m trying.”

I turned her to face me. “Trying to what?”

She focused on my chest. “To be what you want.”

“And what is it that you think I want?”

She shrugged. Placing my fingers on her chin, I slowly lifted her face. “Why don’t you try asking me. Maybe that’ll make things easier on you.” I smiled, and she did the same in return.

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