Read Online A Very Grey Christmas by T.A. Foster - Free Book Online Page A

Everything was peaceful and calm. I tried to cling to the last bits of the dream I was having, while still relishing his words. As the last threads slipped away, I opened my eyes.
    “Merry Christmas.” I smiled.
    “Christmas morning.” His eyes widened.
    I nodded. This was the first time in my life I wasn’t waking up in my bed, in my room, down the hall from my parents on Christmas morning. It felt slightly surreal.
    “We’ve got to get going.” He jumped out of bed, surprising me with his quickness.
    I sat up. “We do?”
    “Yep, come on. It’s Christmas. We’ve got breakfast and presents. Parents waiting. Your dad might need my help with the fire.”
    I studied him as he rifled through his suitcase. He seemed excited, almost jumpy.
    “Grey?”
    “Yeah, darlin’?” His head was buried in a pile of clean clothes. He tossed a pair of jeans on the bed.
    “Everything ok?” I peeled back the sheets, and immediately wanted to climb back in bed. Sleeping naked had its cons.
    “Of course. Just ready to get our Christmas started.” He threw a shirt next to the jeans then darted to the bathroom. “Be right back.”
    I heard the shower sputter to life. I giggled. I guess Christmas brought out the kid in everyone. I walked to the bathroom and closed the door behind me. No need to waste water.
     

     
    We each took a spot in the living room, our coffee mugs in reaching distance. Grey and I claimed the couch. Dad always played Santa and started distributing gifts as soon as we were settled.
    “Ok, first up is Eden.” He handed me a silver box tied with a purple ribbon. I recognized my mother’s handiwork before I even read the tag.
    He continued with his duties. “Grey, for you.” He placed a long, thin box in front of Grey. I never asked Mom what they bought him. I just hoped it wasn’t socks and underwear.
    After the last of the presents had been divvied up, we started unwrapping, everyone stopping to admire what had been unveiled.
    Deep in the pile, my mom uncovered a diamond bracelet that matched the earrings from last night. Dad got a gift certificate to a motorcycle repair shop, Grey received a Texas State shirt, and I opened a pair of Carolina pajama pants.
    The floor was littered with wrapping paper and bows. It was hard to believe we had been exchanging presents for two hours.
    I was impressed Grey had chosen gifts for my parents without consulting me. He said he wanted them to be just from him.
    Mom gushed over the wine glasses he selected and Dad seemed to love the pocketknife from Texas.
    “My turn.” I picked up a small box with an oversized bow on it. Grey had signed the tag with an extra note.
     
    Merry Christmas, baby. I love being here with you.
     
    I smiled at him then turned to the tiny box in my hands. For a second, my chest tightened. It was the kind of box that screamed jewelry, and not just any kind of jewelry—ring jewelry. I didn’t have any experience receiving rings, but I knew the box size. This was definitely that size.
    I carefully removed the paper and held my breath as I lifted the lid on the soft leather case. I knew all eyes in the room were on me, especially Grey’s. I could almost hear his heartbeat, he was that close.
    I stared at the sparkle in my hands. Grey had never given me anything like this since we had known each other. I removed the earrings and held them up.
    “They’re beautiful.” The light from the fire caught the underside of the sapphires.
    “Did you get earrings too?” Mom giggled.
    “Try them on,” Grey urged and unfastened the backs and threaded them through my ears.
    “What do you think?” I turned my chin from side to side, swooping the hair off my neck.
    “Honey, I think they’re perfect.” Mom was always a sucker for pretty jewelry.
    I wasn’t sure if disappointment had settled in my belly, but for the split second I let myself imagine that there was a ring in the box, I realized it was something I wanted. It was ludicrous. Silly.