Page 54 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

Each of the girls eagerly opened their box and I exclaimed, “No!”

While I was saying no, Saoirse started jumping for joy. And Sierra followed her sister’s antics although she was not exactly sure why.

“Mommy, the jewelry matches yours! Now I have my own. And Sierra has her own!” She turned to see her oldest sister. “And look! Sienna has her own too! Yeah!”

She hugged Kristoff, blabbing and showing it to him, not realizing that he would know how it looks since he bought it.

“Kristoff,” I started and I knew my look displayed displeasure. “This is unacceptable! This is not right! You gave them this and now I have to take it away.” I was agitated and he could tell. Saoirse hearing my statement took her necklace and kept it close to her.

“Calm down, Gemma. They match yours but are not real diamonds or real stones. It is just an imitation,” he assured me.

“Oh,” I answered looking at him suspiciously. Then I looked at my kids. Sierra wrapped the necklace around her wrist and made it a bracelet. Saoirse put hers around her neck and put both her hands over it so I couldn’t take it. Sienna was looking at hers, still in the box, unsure what to do with it.

“Sienna’s is real but it is a very miniature version of the one I gifted you,” he added quietly.

Sienna looked at him, then me, unsure if she could keep it. I could tell she wanted it and liked it. And that made me even more mad at him. She hesitated for a second, and then slowly handed him the box with the necklace.

“Sienna, it is yours. And you will keep it,” Kristoff said firmly. Her eyes lit up but she still looked to me for approval, and I could see a question in her eyes. Well, it was more like begging.

Kristoff noticed her hesitation, and my displeasure, and he faced me. “Gemma, it is a gift freely given. It makes me happy, and I like doing it for you and your daughters. Trust me, I can afford it.”

I didn’t like it but I nodded. All three went off together as if in tune and in fear I’d change my mind.

“Don’t do that again!” I said with agitation clearly in my voice.

“Why not?”

“Because they are my kids, and those gifts are too expensive. I don’t want them to think that it is normal. And I can’t give you stuff like that so it makes me feel inadequate and uncomfortable.”

He looked at me thoughtfully. “Next time, I’ll check with you,” he answered. “And you already have given me more than all of my money could buy.”

“And what is that?” I was not sure what he was referring to.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he took one more box out of his bag. “Please, Gemma, wear this for me. Don’t reject it.”

Damn it, when he acts like that, I would do anything he asks. I looked over to my kids to ensure they were within sight and playing nicely with others. Once assured they were good, I returned my attention to Kristoff.

I slowly reached for the box and opened it. There was a beautiful diamond necklace in there. It was a simple, everyday necklace but it looked very, very expensive. I looked at Kristoff in exasperation.

“Kristoff,” I started. “I don’t want you to be buying me gifts.”

His eyes that were sparkling a second ago, took on a reserved look. Like he was getting ready for rejection. And I found myself not being able to reject him.

I took a deep breath in resignation. “I really don’t know what to do with you,” I said as I got closer to him. “It is beautiful. Just the kind that I would have picked. Although mine would be much cheaper, and probably a fake one too.”

His smile was worth it though. He leaned and kissed the corner of my mouth. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“Oh, Kristoff,” I whispered back. “I should be thanking you. Thank you for the beautiful necklace. But please don’t buy any more gifts.”

“You must be the only woman that doesn’t want gifts. Can I put it on you?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said breathlessly. His closeness made me ache for him. He took the necklace out of the box and I turned around while moving my long hair out of his way. As he clipped it on, I felt his lips on the back of my neck for a fleeting second. Goosebumps and shivers coursed through my body.

My body reacts too much when he is around,I thought to myself.

“Well, hello there you two lovebirds,” came a voice and I turned around. I stood next to Kristoff and his hand went automatically around me protectively. It was Jonathan again, surprising me. Kristoff did not reply but I could feel his arm tense around me.

After a few moments of silence, I finally replied, “Hello. How are you?”

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