She didn’t argue that it was too much. That the coat was so much more than enough she couldn’t possibly accept another gift. He got too much joy out of the giving and she wasn’t going to put a damper on it. “The smaller one first.”
He ripped apart the paper with the same gusto the kids had the night before and groaned when he found a white shirt box underneath. “Uh-oh. Clothes.”
“You got me clothes.”
“A coat’s not clothes. And you’re not a little boy on the inside.”
She laughed as he struggled with the tape holding the box closed and then held her breath as he rummaged through the tissue paper. His grin broadened to full dimple phase as he held up first one T-shirt and then another. One was big and man-sized, the other a miniature version. Both were emblazoned with the Jasper’s Bar & Grille logo.
“Awesome!” He laid the big shirt flat on the floor and put the toddler-sized version on top. “Me and the little guy will look cool in these.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Notice the gender-neutral red.”
“Thanks, Beth.”
His gaze was warm and the smile genuine, killing the last of the reserve she’d felt about the gift. She’d thought maybe it was cheesy, or not enough. And, deep down, she’d been afraid, too. It was too soon to buy things for the baby. If something happened…
Shoving down hard on that thought, she returned his smile. She’d live in this moment and this moment was a happy one.
“Okay,” he said, “right front pocket of your coat.”
She fished around until her fingers closed over the small box. Her heart stuttered for a few terrifying seconds when she recognized the wrapping paper of a well-known local jeweler, but calmed when she realized the box was longer and more flat than a ring box. She’d learned not to put anything past Kevin, but that would have been too much.
This time she took her time unwrapping it while he squirmed with impatience. Nestled inside was a simple yet elegant sterling silver mother-and-child pendant on a delicate chain.
“Oh.” She ran her fingertip over the beautiful symbol. “This is…”
“Worth a kiss?”
The laughter kept her from dissolving into a puddle of tears. “You’re shameless.”
“I am. But I can’t sit here next to a present with my name on it, so a raincheck on the kiss until after I open it.”
She hadn’t actually agreed to the kiss, never mind issued a raincheck, but he was already ripping the paper of his second present.
It was a huge collage frame—the kind with cutouts for a dozen small pictures—she’d filled with photos from Joe’s wedding. She’d spent hours looking at the pictures Keri’s photographer had taken and then copying the ones she wanted onto a disc to have made into prints.
She’d skipped over posed photos, choosing instead from the many candid shots as she tried to capture the essence of his family. There was one of his parents dancing, gazing into each other’s eyes as if they were the newlyweds. One of Kevin dancing with his niece, Stephanie. The three brothers standing together, laughing as though at a private joke. Joe and Keri, in all their finery, leading a laughing Conga line around the room. His nephews all sitting in a row, making a variety of goofy faces at the camera.
Her favorite was a photo obviously taken during the formal bridal party shots. Only it wasn’t very formal. Kevin had the groom in a headlock, while Mike noogied him and Evan made rabbit ears behind Joe’s head.
Kevin didn’t have to tell her he liked the gift. She watched the smile playing across his mouth as he touched a fingertip to each of the photos in turn. “This is amazing.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it. Seriously. This is so cool, Beth. Thank you.” He ran his finger over one of the pictures again. “Look at my parents in this one. You can see how much they love each other, even after all this time.”
She wasn’t even aware he moved, but suddenly he was right next to her. He tipped her chin toward him and kissed her.
It was a warm kiss that tugged at her insides and heated her skin, but a quick one. He didn’t push it. “Thank you, Beth.”
“Merry Christmas. And thank you right back.”
He stroked the side of her face, then dropped his hand. “You really get me.”
“Thank you for keeping this sweet and simple.”
“You mean rather than buying you everything in the mall like I wanted to?” He winked, flashing his dimples at her. “I must get you, too.”
He did. “So what’s next on the Kowalski list of Christmas Day traditions?”
“Sex with the neighbor.”
Laughing, she pushed herself to her feet. “Nice try.”
“Cheesy action movies and more food.”
His hand was warm in hers as she made a pretense of helping him up. “That’s my kind of holiday.”
Explosions, laughter, car chases and more cinnamon buns. It was one of the best days she’d ever had and leaving that night—rather than succumbing to his charm and falling into his bed—was one of the hardest walks she’d ever taken.
Chapter Twelve