A Thousand Words–2
Aiden chuckles from beside me, his fingers at my collarbone dropping lower until he grazes the top of my breast.
Jake clicks his tongue, his voice sharp. “Aiden, don’t be inappropriate.”
But when I look at him, his expression isn’t just disapproving. It’s jealous. His fingers are white from how hard he grips onto the glass in his hands.
I force a small smile and turn to Aiden, holding up the necklace. “Thank you. It’s
beautiful.”
I press a soft kiss to his lips, trying to ignore the weight of Jake’s stare and the lacey garment still in the box.
Then Zaid stands, retrieving a bigger box from under the tree. When he hands it to me, I frown, glancing at him.
He just nods toward it, silently urging me to open it.
I do. And the moment I see what’s inside, my heart stops.
A painting.
Not just any painting. One of his paintings. My father’s.
A strangled sound escapes my throat as I cover my mouth, tears instantly pricking my
eyes. I trace my fingers over the canvas, over the familiar strokes, the shades of color I remember watching him mix when I was a little girl. “I—I thought my mom got rid of them all after he died.”
Zaid shifts closer, his voice soft. “She didn’t.”
I let out a quiet sob before launching myself into his arms, holding onto him like he just handed me a piece of my soul. “Thank you.”
He rubs slow circles on my back, his fingers gentle, grounding.
When I finally pull away, he wipes the tears from my cheeks with careful hands, dark eyes
A Thousand Words 2
watching me like I am everything to him. My gaze flickers to jake, who is watching me with narrowed eyes, his jaw tight.
Zaid clears his throat, nodding toward the last gift under the tree. “That one’s for you,
too.”
1 blink. “Wait–what?”
I get up, moving toward the tree and picking up the last present. They were all for me?
Swallowing hard, I unwrap the box and open it. The moment I see what’s inside, warmth spreads through my chest.
A sketchbook. Embroidered with my name, and a set of charcoal pencils.
My vision blurs slightly as I stare down at them, my fingers running over the cover. I snap my gaze to Zaid, a thousand emotions rushing through me at once. A thousand words I want to say.
“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice raw.
Zaid just nods, his gaze holding mine for a long, quiet moment.
I exhale sharply and glance between the three of them, guilt creeping into my chest. “I feel bad. I didn’t get anything for you guys.”
Aiden grins, leaning back against the couch. “You’re my gift, baby.”
Zaid gives me a subtle nod in agreement.
Jake, on the other hand, runs his tongue across his teeth, his jaw clenching. Then, without a word, he abruptly stands and leaves the room.
I watch him go, my chest tightening.
Minutes later, Zaid, Aiden, and I are in the kitchen, lazily eating ice cream straight from the bucket as we clean up.
I yawn, stretching. “I think I’m gonna head to bed. I’m really tired.”
They both look at me expectantly.
A Thousand Words–2
I huff out a soft chuckle. “Alone.”
They look at each other, disappointed but they nod.
I press a kiss to each of their lips and whisper goodnight before heading to my room.
But the moment I close the door behind me, it creaks open again.
I turn, and Jake steps inside, shutting the door behind him.
