"Good job, honey. That's a really nice one," his mom tries to defuse an obviously awkward conversation.
I can see they are all confused by my reaction. I bet most girls would love an expensive gift for Christmas, but I'm not most girls. All I see in front of me is a pile of money Brett spent on me, and I'm about to give him bowling shoes. Double Crap!
Brett answers his mom with a simple, “Thanks,” never moving his eyes from mine.
"Jess, stop thinking about the price tag. I know that's what you're doing. Remember what I said? I work hard for moments like this. It's just a computer." I nod, but I still hate it. As soon as we leave, I'm going to refuse to accept it. It was a sweet thought, but it's too much.
"Me next!" Kara yells reaching toward her stack of gifts.
"No!" The whole room shouts at once. Kara looks up puzzled.
"Kara, I have one you have to open first. Babe, there's another one for you too," Brett says, walking out of the room.
Great, he bought me another present. What's next, a new car? Oh God, please don't let it be a new car!
"Close your eyes," he says from around the corner. "Both of you."
I close my eyes hoping to disappear. His family begins laughing so I know Kara is making grabby hands and acting silly.
"Okay, open them."
I open my eyes to see Brett standing in front of us holding two of the cutest kittens I have ever seen. Kara snatches the white and orange one while shrieking. I stare at him for a minute before pulling the fluffy white ball of fur from his hands.
"You got me a cat?" I smile as all of my anxiety from earlier vanishes. "A white cat?"
"I know the black ones freak you out," he smiles and I can't help but launch myself into his arms.
"Now this was the reaction I was hoping for with the laptop," he snuggles me against his chest.
"It's perfect. You remembered I only like white cats." I say, feeling touched that he would remember such a trivial detail from a conversation months ago.
"Of course."
"Wait, we can't have cats, Brett," Kara whines.
"Yes, you can. I had a little chat with your asshole landlord. He was kind enough to waive the pet fee also." Our landlord is anything but kind. Brett either paid the deposit or had more than just a simple discussion with him. "By the way, neither of you are ever allowed to be alone with that scumbag." Yep, more than a chat.
"You talked to our creepy landlord? Seriously, hot stuff, this is the best present ever." Kara begins to buzz around the room again.
"I love it. Thank you so much," I say, grinning from ear to ear.
"Now...will you keep the computer? I know you were planning to give it back later."
"Yeah." I give in. I'm such a jerk for reacting the way I did. He was trying to do something nice, and I clammed up over a price tag.
Realizing that Kara and I have taken over the morning, I sit down, clinging to my kitten who I decided to name Daisy, and urge his family to continue with gifts.
The next hour passes quickly as all the presents are unwrapped. His family seemed to love the mugs, and they even started arguing over the coffee flavors. Brett's family gave me and Kara accessories for the cats. Beds, bowls, toys, we got it all. His father even bought matching rhinestone collars for them. It was perfect.
The time came for me to give Brett the presents I bought him. I was nervous, but I was confident he would love at least one of them.
"Jesse!" He exclaims as he pulls off the top of his shoes. "These are awesome. Shoes that actually fit! You're are in real trouble now, ill-fitting shoes have been the only thing holding me back from beating you." He laughs, sliding them on and strutting across the room.
Even in pajama pants and bowling shoes, Brett is a sexy beast. It warms me in all the wrong places while I'm sitting in a room full of people.
Next up, is the picture. I'm not quite as confident about this one. I have no idea how he is going to react. I've talked myself out of giving it to him twenty-seven different times since I picked it up from the shop. Yet somehow, it still managed to get wrapped and make its way under the Christmas tree. The shoes were easy. I knew he'd like them, but this picture...it's a risk. And if he doesn't the feel the same way, I'm putting myself out there for some serious embarrassment.
He opens the cheap card board box, and the smile on his face fades leaving him utterly blank.
I have no idea what to think of his reaction, but I give him the benefit of the doubt and give him a minute to figure it out.