“But this is your jersey, not his?”
“Yeah, that’s the latest design from this year for the Olympic games.”
“So, should I try this on?”
My question makes Jasper freeze.Weird.It takes him a moment to reply in a strained, gruff voice. “It should fit just fine as it’s the same size as my hoodie you borrowed on the plane. Just wait until my place to try it on.”
“Cool,” I say before turning to see grinning Linnea and Elise. “Can I hug you all as thank you?”
“Open your last present first!” Linnea exclaims.
I grab a package with a pretty silver bow. The card on the top says,Vivian, here’s something that will always make you remember your first Christmas in Finland. When I saw these on the company’s website, I knew I had to get them for you. Thanks for being such a great holiday date. - Jasper
He just called me hisdate. Hisholiday date. That alone makes my heart beat faster. Combined with the expecting faces of the Åkerman clan, makes my cheeks heat up.
“This one is from Jasper,” I tell others and look his way. “Thank you for getting me something. I didn’t even think about getting you a gift.”
“Don’t you worry. I know you’ve had enough on your plate, and the last thing I want is you to stress over buying me a Christmas present,” he replies.
When I unwrap the matte wrapping paper with a simple yet elegant design, it reveals a box with a fern leaf and some text printed on it.
“Ka-lev-ala,” I read slowly, admiring the box design.
“Kalevala is both the name of the jewelry company and the national epic of Finland and Karelia, the part that we lost to the Soviet Union during our Winter War, which began only months after the outbreak of World War II,” Nils shares. “Kalevala Jewelry has a long history in Finland as well. Their jewelry is made locally here in Helsinki and in a way that withstands time and use.”
That makes tears form in my eyes. “Jasper, you didn’t have to—”
“But I wanted you to remember your time here,” he explains and comes to sit next to me. “Are you going to open it?”
“Yes—” I chuckle with a tear falling down my face. “—I was just admiring the meaning of it all.”
Lifting the lid, I let out a surprised gasp as I see a beautiful silver pendant and matching earrings. The design is like a dotted circle, but the dots are all linked. I don’t know how something simple can be this stunning, but I love it.
I show the set to his family, who ooh and ahh over it while Jasper looks pleased. “See? I know what you like,” he says with a smirk.
“It’s so gorgeous that I don’t know what to say.”
“The design is calledCircle of Light. There’s always a backstory to Kalevala jewelry designs, and if I’m not mistaken, this one was about friendship, courage, and strength—there was also something about not forgetting to be your own best friend. I think it was a good reminder in your situation.”
That makes me cry more, and Jasper pulls me into a warm embrace. He wipes my tears with his thumb. “I hate seeing you cry.”
“These are happy tears,” I reassure him in a whisper.
“Still—seeing you cry is like having someone squeeze my heart until it stops beating momentarily.”
“Jasper—” I turn to him, ready to kiss him, when I remember where we are. Heck, nothing like being cockblocked by the family of the guy with whom you are having unexpected feelings.
And I know it isn’t only his thoughtful gift making me feel like this. It’s everything that he has shown me about himself since the first moment I saw him at the JFK airport. For some reason, I assume that not many see this side of Jasper. It makes the moment that much sweeter.
11
MORNING JACKETS AND AWARD-WINNING BUTTS
VIVIAN
Even though I loved spending Christmas Eve with Jasper’s family, having a peaceful Christmas morning at his place is what I need as the jet lag is still making me feel extremely tired. At least it was before Jasper walked out of his room shirtless with that just-showered look guys seem to perfect without effort. His hair is still damp and a few drops of water slide down his perfect body.Apparently, seeing a sexy half-naked man helps with jet lag. Who knew?
Not being able to focus on cutting the banana I was adding on top of the Greek yogurt, I almost cut my finger with the knife while staring at his trimmed, well-defined, muscled chest.
