Page 66 of A Snowy Escape

Abby

Bryant and Luka drag in a bunch of boxes. Rather than huge ones, like yesterday, these are smaller shipping boxes. At least most of them. There are two or three that look pretty heavy.

I’m still perched on Lawson’s lap, but I relocated to sit facing away from him when I heard the noise. I glance over my shoulder at him before focusing back on Luka and Bryant.

“If that whole pile is stocked with more holiday stuff, we may have to pick a new room to decorate.” I laugh as I point at the boxes. “I feel like this living room is decorated to perfection. If we add any more, it might be too much.”

Lawson’s chest bounces behind me as he chuckles softly. “It is more festive than I’ve seen it since I was a kid, but those aren’t decorations.”

“Here you go, gorgeous.” Luka holds out one of the boxes, giving it a little shake. “These are from all three of us.”

I take the box, frowning. “What is it?”

“Dig in and find out.” Bryant wiggles his eyebrows.

Lawson grabs the sides of the shipping box, ripping through the tape. “Preopen them or find the box cutter. I don’t want her hurting herself on the strings some companies put in their packing tape.”

“I have actually cut myself on that stuff more than once,” I admit, peeking at him over my shoulder. “Does the same thing not apply to your hands?”

Lawson grunts, and I can’t help but smile. He’s a little like a growly bear at times, but it never feels like he’s directing that surly attitude at me.

“We’ll make sure we open them before handing them over,” Luka says.

“Go ahead.” Bryant nods at the box I’m holding. “Get all up in there, pretty girl.”

“I’m so confused.” I squint, opening the flaps. Digging inside, I pull out a lavender fuzzy robe. Just under it is a pair of matching slippers. I run my fingers over the material and smile. “It’s very soft, but my birthday isn’t until late January, and Christmas is, what? Eight or nine days away? Why are you giving me gifts?” My voice sounds a little frantic by the end, but I can’t help that.

There’s no gift-giving holiday, and it’s not my birthday…

The only other possibility that comes to mind is that they want to court me. If that’s the case, I need them to spell that out quickly so I don’t get my hopes up for nothing.

“Ahh, see, we were hoping you might be interested in letting us court you,” Luka says, a boyish smile tipping his lips.

“That’s a no-pressure question,” Lawson rumbles from behind me. “You’ll be welcome to stay throughout the storm, and you’re free to stick around in the apartment as long as you’d like, no matter what your answer is.”

“It’s a no-obligation offer,” Bryant chimes in.

“Oh my god, you guys.” I laugh. “If you’d let me speak, I’d tell you that I love that idea.”

“Perfect,” Bryant purrs.

“Yeah?” Luka asks.

Lawson’s hand simply tightens on my side.

“Yeah,” I agree. “But based on that pile, we’d better get going. I have no idea what’s on the schedule for after this.”

Bryant chuckles. “Dinner and a movie. The one we watched technically wasn’t on the agenda, even though I’m not complaining.” He winks, and my heart flutters.

“Okay, moving on.” Luka grabs another box, ripping open the lid and handing it over.

Lawson piles the robe and slippers on the floor on one side of his chair and tosses the empty packaging on the other side.

Opening the box, I pull out something square and smooth. I have to flip it over to see what it is, and my jaw falls.

It’s a photo book with the year and the words Packed Full of Memories. Well, technically it has next year listed, but that makes sense because it’s almost a brand-new year.

“This is so perfect,” I whisper, running my finger over the raised words. “Thank you so much.”