“That’s a good idea.” Dawn kicked down her footrest so she could pick up one present off the coffee table and hand it to her daughter.
“Good thinking,” Mason leaned close to murmur acerbically in my ear, tickling the sensitive skin on my neck with his warm breath. “Hurry the torture along so we can get this over with as soon as possible.”
I liked him being this close to me a little too much. I even liked the smell of roasted nuts on his breath. Needing space before I lost it and threw myself at him, I elbowed him away, whispering, “Behave.”
He snorted but moved respectfully back to his side of the loveseat, moodily shoveling cake into his mouth.
Sarah dove into the unwrapping ceremony with relish. Her classmates even wandered closer as she ripped open the first gift. She was so excited, she almost fell out of her wheelchair when she saw her shiny new charm bracelet from Mason.
“Thank you. Thank you, Mason, thank you,” she kept saying, her smile wide and ecstatic.
It took a few minutes for Dawn to get it latched around her wrist, but Brittany, Leann and Sorcha oohed and ahhed when they slunk in toward Sarah enough to examine the swanky piece of jewelry.
“That’s really pretty,” Sorcha murmured, envy glittering in her gaze. “I’ve always wanted a charm bracelet.”
I grinned at Mason and patted his knee, letting him know what a good job he’d done picking out the bracelet. He glanced at me and flushed almost bashfully.
I felt honored that Sarah wanted to open my gift last. I had actually gotten her two things and wrapped them in separate boxes, only to rewrap those together in one. Sarah seemed thrilled to get to unwrap more once she opened the outer package.
“You got her two things?” Mason hissed accusingly in my ear.
With a triumphant grin, I tossed my hair. “Of course.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Suck up.”
“You know it.” I nudged my knee against his and winked.
Dawn probably thought I was the devil when she helped Sarah open the first. “It’s…oh, my.” She shot me a quick glance and in a small voice mumbled, “A makeup kit.”
I could see on her face, no way in hell was she letting Sarah wear any of it out of the house, but maybe we could still put it on when I was babysitting, or if I had my way, in about thirty seconds.
The music notes charm for her bracelet—to remind Sarah of the first night we’d danced together—had a much better reception from Dawn. But in Sarah’s eyes, I think it tied with the makeup. Her entire face gleamed with pleasure and thanks when she looked at me.
As her mom helped her put the new charm on, I turned my attention to the guy lounging beside me. “Do we make a good present-giving team or what?”
I lifted my hand to fist bump with him.
Giving in to a reluctant smile, he obliged me. We were in the middle of clashing our knuckles together when the front door blew open.
“Woo hoo. I heard there was a birthday party here today.”
A huge box, wrapped in Mickey Mouse paper, crowded the entrance before it lumbered inside and turned to the side to the reveal Mrs. Garrison.
My cheerful smile died a tragic death.
This was the first time I’d seen her in daylight. I was expecting something totally different, maybe leathery, wrinkled skin from tanning too much, gaudily applied makeup, and tight leopard print spandex. But this woman was classy. Elegant. Her capris and blouse were stylish, conservative and age-appropriate. And, oh, my God, she had a Burberry purse hanging from her shoulder, the very design I’d been drooling over on eBay for, like, ever.
Now I really hated her.
Mason’s thigh, which was pressed against mine, tensed. I wanted to reach for his hand and give it a supportive squeeze, but I was a little too shocked by the stranger who entered behind Mrs. Garrison.
Leaning in close, I breathed, “Who’s he?”
“No clue.” Mason shook his head slightly, his confused gaze settling on the man.
But Mrs. Garrison quickly doused all our curiosities. After setting the oversized box on the floor in front of Sarah, she introduced him. “Everyone, I would like you to meet my fiancé, Ted. Ted, this is Dawn...”
As she dragged him over to Mason’s mom, I snuck a quick glance at Mason.
I swore to myself I wouldn’t hurt him if he appeared to be jealous in any way of the landlady’s new man. But by God, if he looked jealous in any way—
He didn’t. Honestly, he looked shocked as he gawked at Mrs. Garrison’s fiancé. Then he turned to me, and I saw relief and excitement in his eyes. “Thank God,” he mouthed the words even as a smile lit up his face.
I squeezed his leg and grinned back. “Guess you won’t be needing my protective services today.”
“And Reese,” Mrs. Garrison called, breaking into our moment. “I had no idea you’d be here today. Hello, again.”
“Hey, Mrs. Garrison,” I said, smiling sunnily at her.
Damn, I was such a good actress, though really, it wasn’t all that hard to act happy to see her when I was so ecstatic to learn she wouldn’t be messing with Mason ever again.