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"It looks like a birthday present" Eyes wide, she zipped her gaze to me "For o, didn’t you? Or did you lie about that?"

"No, I really did I just…" Eainst her chest "I can’t believe you got me a present"

I frowned, confused "Why wouldn’t I? It was irlfriend’s birthday"

That was one of the things that had upset me most about her absence I hadn’t been able to see her on her big day As I swore to myself I’d be present for the next and all the ones after that, she said, "I don’t know I just wasn’t expecting… You really didn’t have to Just getting to see you is the best present ever"

I shrugged, strangely bashful "Don’t get too worked up It’s notbetter, or more, but…" I sent her a wince We both knew I couldn’t afford better or aze "I have a feeling it’ll beit, she tore off the paper

I drew in a sharp breath, wanting to warn her not to get her hopes up Shit, I should’ve splurged a little otten so her head back, she laughed as she hugged the book to her chest "I love it"

I sighed and batted shredded paper out of my way "It’s cheesy"

"That’s why it’s perfect" After pulling The World’s Greatest Collection of Clean Jokes away froled her eyebrows my way "I can’t wait to lay some of these jokes on you the next time I see you"

Neither could I It was one of the things I looked forward to most Because it meant more time with her

"And there’s more?" City went on incredulously as she set the book aside to tug tissue paper from the box so she could see the slippers at the bottoet you a new pair"

"They’re so cute" She ripped off her sandals and fit the ballet flats on "And they fit" She held out her foot to show me

I took her ankle and slid olden calf "Beautiful" When I looked at her, we shared one of those smiles where you just look at a person and are filled with happiness