34
Freshly showered and dressed, Fin and I sat at the dining table finishing cups of coffee before setting out to Mum and Dad’s house. Imagining my parents’ excitement, I dreaded to think what we were walking into. Unlike Fin, who’d said he wasn’t fazed at all.
Neither of us said anything, but an air of inevitability seemed to have settled between us. As if the suggestion of a long-term relationship such as marriage had only highlighted the fact that for us time was running out. It hurt to think he was soon leaving and there wasn’t really anything either of us could do. Although as I stared into my drink, I tried not to think about that. Feeling Fin’s eyes on me, I glanced up to find him staring back at me, pensive, his hands wrapped tight around his mug. “What?” I asked, self-conscious.
“I was just thinking how glad I am to have met you.”
I felt myself blush, wondering if he was glad enough to stay. “Ditto,” I replied, knowing it would have been wrong of me to ask him.
“No. I’mreallyglad I met you.”
I thought about what Annie had said about Finlikingliking me and I couldn’t deny the strength of feeling I had for him. Then again, I probably wasn’t the only woman to have fallen for Fin’s charms. Every woman he’d met, no doubt,likedliked him. If ever there was a man who seemed to have everything it was Fin. Looks, career, confidence, and personality… When Fin did decide to settle down, I knew whoever he ended up with was going to be one lucky woman. “I bet you say that to all the girls,” I replied.
“I have something for you,” he said. “A Christmas present.”
“Really?” I gave him a mischievous smile. “I thought I’d already had that?”
Fin shook his head and chuckled.
He got up and went to the hall, reappearing seconds later with a gift bag. I felt delighted and mortified at the same time. Had I known he was going to get me something, I’d have made sure I could return the gesture.
It wasn’t that the issue of gifts hadn’t crossed my mind. Of course I’d considered surprising Fin with a little token. But every time I came up with an idea there seemed to be an unspoken message attached. My choice was either too romantic and personal which implied a deeper commitment than Fin had given; or not romantic at all which suggested what we had shared had been meaningless. Coming up with the perfect gift seemed impossible so in the end I’d decided not to bother, in the hope that he hadn’t bothered either.
“Voilà!” Fin said, a big grin on his face. Placing the bag in front of me, he took the seat to my right.
I looked from the gift to him.
“Go on then.” He indicated I dive straight in.
My heart raced as I wondered what it could be, and my hands shook in anticipation. Reaching in, I pulled out a card and the most beautifully put together present. Neatly wrapped in pale blue tissue paper and tied with a matching ribbon, I thought the presentation alone was perfect. It seemed a shame to spoil it, which was why I decided to open the card first.
Fin put a hand out to stop me. “Save that for last,” he said, much to my surprise.
Having been taught it was more polite to do things the other way round, I wondered why that particular order mattered. However, as it seemed important to Fin, I did as he requested and put the card to one side, in favour of opening his gift first. I pulled on one end of the ribbon and untied it, before my gaze turned to Fin who clearly looked forward to my response. I giggled as I unwrapped the tissue paper, my eyes widening and my smile growing as my gift revealed itself. “That’s so thoughtful,” I said.
“It’s to get you started on writing that novel you’ve talked about.”
I ran my fingers across the leather-bound journal, knowing if I wasn’t careful, I’d cry. I leaned over and kissed Fin, my heart fit to burst thanks to his considerateness. I just wished I had something to give him in return.
Suddenly remembering I did have something, I jumped out of my seat and headed for the sideboard. Opening the top drawer, I paused for a second, hoping I wasn’t about to regret my decision. Pulling out the work Secret Santa I’d been gifted, I fixed a smile on my face before turning to Fin. “For you,” I said, heading back to the table and handing it over.
Fin smiled. “Thank you. Although you didn’t have to, you know.”
“I know.” Having never been any good at lying, I willed myself not to blush. “But I wanted to.” I sat tense wondering what the hell was underneath all that wrapping paper, as Fin started to pick at the reams and reams of Sellotape that covered it. Not an easy task if Fin’s struggle was anything to go by.
“You’ve certainly done a good job of this,” he said, grappling.
Finally, Fin had peeled enough away to start tackling the paper – a repetitive wordplay design using the wordsGangsta Wrapperover and again. “Interesting choice,” Fin said, while I sat there with a tight smile.
Finally, the gift began to show itself, leaving me sat there embarrassed.
“A Rubik’s Cube,” Fin said. The man was clearly doing his utmost to hide his confusion.
Even as I cringed, I told myself I should feel relieved. At least it hadn’t come from Richard. I knew from experience if it had, I could have easily have just handed Fin a grow-your-own boyfriend kit. “I thought it might keep you entertained on your long flight,” I said, forced to think on my feet.
Fin leaned over and kissed me. “Thank you,” he replied. “It most certainly will.”
I jumped to my feet and eager to move our focus away from the Secret Santa, thought it was time we got going. “We should probably be setting off–”
