“Nope!” Parker grinned and ripped into her first present. “Shoes!” She exclaimed as she revealed the box. Her enthusiasm dropped noticeably when she lifted off the top. “Tennis shoes. Great.”
“I know you don’t think you need them, but you have to take care of yourself,” Erin said. “You’re always on your feet drawing or painting. You need good shoes.”
Parker didn’t argue. “Thanks, Mom. Cassie, you’re up.”
“Nah,” Cassie said. “Hostess first.”
Erin smiled at her and reached for a present. The one from Cassie was on top of her pile, wrapping paper puffy at the corners. That was the one she grabbed. Cassie was suddenly very interested in the arm of the love seat next to her. As Erin opened the present, Cassie glanced at her, glanced away. It was only hot chocolate, but she still had to stop herself from telling Erin she had the receipt if she didn’t like it.
“Oh my gosh,” Erin said, and Cassie looked at her. “This is my favorite kind. And so many flavors!”
Cassie smiled tentatively, and Erin beamed at her.
“You did good,” she said.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I’m definitely stealing some of it this break,” Parker chimed in.
Erin chuckled. “We’ll see.”
“My turn,” Parker said, tearing into the envelope in her hands.
Erin and Cassie weren’t really paying attention, though, still smiling at each other. Christmas definitely wasn’t so bad.
“A gift card to Art Apart?” Parker said. “Babe, you’re too great! I’ve been wanting pens from there for ages!”
“I am too great,” Cassie agreed. “Especially because it was definitely my turn to open a present.”
“Oops?” Parker said, looking not at all sorry.
Cassie chuckled and reached for her present. The tag read Cassie in what looked like a failed attempt at fancy cursive.
Cassie must’ve made a face, because Erin said, “I know. I can’t help my terrible handwriting.”
“She’s a doctor, what do you expect?” Parker said.
Normally when Cassie got a gift, she ripped the wrapping paper. She loved presents, wanted to know what they were as quickly as possible. But this time, she went slowly. She broke the seal of the tape and unfolded the paper instead of ripping it. Erin was watching, but Cassie couldn’t look at her.
It wasn’t like Erin was going to give her anything inappropriate. Especially not in front of Parker. There was no reason for Cassie to be nervous, but she was.
Inside the wrapping paper was a box with a lid. She opened it to find a necklace, delicate silver chain and a trinket hanging down. It was a rocket ship. She bit her lip, tamped what wanted to be a huge grin into a small smile.
“It’s great,” she said, aware that her voice was strained.
“Let me see,” Parker said.
“I saw it and thought of Parker calling you an astronaut, and—well, I just thought you’d like it.”
Cassie finally looked at her. Color was rising on Erin’s cheeks.
“I do,” Cassie said. “I love it.”
“Let me see it!” Parker repeated her demand.
Cassie passed her the box. Parker’s eyes got wide when she saw what it was, but she smiled.
“Ooh, it’s pretty!”
As soon as Parker passed it back to her, Cassie put the necklace on.
Erin stammered. “I mean—you don’t have to—”
“Shut up, Erin,” Cassie laughed. “I want to.”
Parker gave her a look, and Cassie ducked her head, fiddling with the necklace.
“Mom, your turn again,” Parker said.
Erin got scrub caps with little bi flags on them and a book. Parker got a book, too, and gave Cassie a gift card to an online mechanic shop. It was everything Cassie could do not to get on her computer immediately to look at their huge selection of tools.
Erin offered to get them second Danishes—a third, for Parker—and they agreed wholeheartedly.
When Erin was out of the room, Parker cleared her throat. She didn’t meet Cassie’s eyes because she was looking at the necklace instead. Cassie swallowed.
“What?” she said.
“I’m sorry if it’s weird,” Parker said quickly. “The necklace. I know you haven’t worn one since Seth’s, like…”
That was—not what Cassie was expecting. She blinked.
“I can honestly say Seth didn’t even cross my mind, babe.”