Always There

Chapter Fifty-Four

I turn around so that my back is to Bryce. He lifts the necklace over my head and then clasps it around my neck before pulling my hair free, letting it fall down my back once more.

When I turn to face him again, he kisses me softly on the lips. "It looks perfect with your cherry blossom necklace. I knew it would. The flowers on the new necklace are the same shape."

I don't respond to him. Instead, I straddle him, wrapping my legs around his waist, before I press my lips against his.

I feel him smile against my lips. "Do you like it, sweetheart?"

I nod and rest my forehead against his, keeping my eyes shut. "I love it. It's so beautiful. I'm just going to avoid finding out how expensive it is."

Bryce lets out a deep chuckle. "That's probably best. Let's just say that it's probably best if you don't lose it. Maybe you can wear it for special occasions."

I open my eyes to find Bryce staring right at me. I can't stop myself from smiling once I catch the amusement dancing in his eyes.

"I have to go get you your presents now, birthday boy. I think it's only fair that you close your eyes too," I say, giving his shoulder a gentle pat as I stand up from my seat.

He lets out a dramatized, wounded groan before he shuts his eyes and leans back on the couch, spreading his arms out and propping them up on the back of the couch.

Once again, I'm unable to stop myself from giggling.

I bend down and kiss him on the cheek. He smiles wide enough to show his dimples and so I kiss one of his dimples too before I exit the living room and head into our bedroom.

I had been hiding the two things I want to give him in the bottom drawer of the bedside table on my side of the bed. I assumed that he would assume that I never use those drawers considering I don't even sleep on that side of the bed, really; I sleep curled up on top of Bryce most nights.

Sliding open the drawer, I pull out the two objects, tucking one under my arm while holding the other in my hand. I stand up from my crouched position, kick the door shut, and then exit the bedroom.

I find Bryce still lounging comfortably on the couch. I try to be as quiet as possible as I head towards him, resuming my position sitting on the couch beside him.

I wish I had some wonderful, special present that I bought for him to give right now, but I don't. I've always been sort of terrible at giving gifts, and the fact that Bryce has told me time and time again that he really didn't want me to give him anything obviously didn't help.

Nonetheless, I bought him one small thing, sort of as a joke. Knowing him, I think that he'll still appreciate it, but I'm anticipating seeing how he's going to react to the other present much more.

"Hold out your hands," I say to him.

He bites his lip and sits up in his seat. He then removes his arms from the back of the couch, holding out both hands as he waits for me to set the first present down.

The moment I do, I whisper, "Open your eyes."

He takes one look at the object in his hands before he grins, somehow even wider before.

Before he can spot it, I tuck the other present behind my back.

"You're adorable. I love you. And I love this," he says, examining the mug in his hands. It's plain white, except on the front, in bold letters, it says Best Boyfriend Ever.

I smile at him when he leans down to kiss me on the tip of my nose. "You drink your coffee out of those boring white mugs every morning. I think that this is a vast improvement."