Page 64 of Forever Flirting

“Fine. Happy birthday, happy Easter, or whatever holiday you want to choose I guess… because your boyfriend sent you a gift.”

“Should I open it, or should I wait?”

“I’d go ahead,” Killian prompted, and handed her the box.

Everly felt her cheeks blush as she felt a little nervous opening the package before her brother, wondering curiously what Alex had sent. She had sent him a few things over the last few weeks, but just a few things because she wasn’t sure what to share with him. Things were so new between them, and they were still getting to know each other.

Opening the box, she peered inside and saw a beautiful scarf that was diaphanous, wrapped around something else that she could see peeking out. Removing the scarf, she unknotted it and pulled back the material to reveal a carved box that was beautiful, with scrollwork that covered the entire top, smelling like cedar or sandalwood.

She hated that her hands were shaking, but slowly she opened the lid… and glanced at Killian, almost tearfully, stunned and touched.

“He’s a really good guy,” Killian said softly, smiling at her, “And I think he really cares.”

“We’re just friends,” she breathed nervously, wiping her eyes as she stared at the contents.

“You probably should talk to him then, because that man is wanting more than friendship from you, sis…”

Alex’s whispered words rang through her mind as she remembered he had told her that he was hoping for ‘forever’… and looked back at the glimmering earrings lying on the velvet bed inside the box.

The unexpected symbolic gift was a pair of dangling infinity loops covered in pink stones that glittered so prettily. She liked dangling earrings, and had worn some while he was here – and the pink reminded her of the sweater he’d gifted her.

Everything he did had a meaning behind it… and she really loved that. The roses were because he missed that eskimo kiss, and the sweater was a reminder of their first meeting. Alex was sentimental – and she was touched by this romantic side of him.

“Maestro insisted on the pink stones,” Killian smiled. “I didn’t think you were much of a ‘pink’ person, but he insisted that they needed to be pink.”

“Yes,” she smiled tearfully, pulling them out and removing her old earrings so she could put them on. “I was wearing pink the first time I met him – and these are breathtaking.”

“Just friends, huh?” Killian replied, teasing her as she pulled out her phone to take a photograph of the earrings… and she looked to her brother helplessly.

“I think I’m falling in love with him…”

“I know, Runt.”

CHAPTER17

EVERLY

Several days later,Everly made her Amish bread finally, and was thrilled that the batch of starter had ended up making so many loaves. She brought one to work for her staff, wrapped one for Killian, one for Paradox, and one for Alex.

She also mailed one that would arrive for Alex in a week or so… and planned on taking one to his grandmother this afternoon – with a bit of the starter so she could make some, too.

Walking Caleb out to the car, he sat down angrily in the grass, glaring at her.

“Do you want to go see Nana?” Everly asked casually, seeing the little boy scramble into the car, clutching his toy airplane from Alex, and climbing into the car seat.

“Nana no wike poohey… poohey is foo-foo-bad.”

“I remember,” she chuckled, buckling him in and remembering the unexpected phone call she’d had with the mysterious woman last evening.

Everly had called and a woman answered, bluntly and boldly, setting her back on her heels immediately.

“If you are selling something, you better hang up now before I reach through this phone and…”

“Is this Mrs. Kendall?”

“Who’s asking?”

“My name is Everly Briscoe, and I…”

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