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“Anyway,” she continues. “Will you guys come? Run interference on poor Caleb’s behalf? We all know Nick can be a lot.”
Lucian tenses beside me, and I’m guessing the memory of the beating is still far too fresh in his mind. Especially since he’s been suffering from some pretty intense migraines ever since. Sometimes I feel bad, but then I remember what earned him that bat to the head, and I struggle to hold on to the sympathy. Still, probably best to sit this one out.
“I don’t think we can make it, babe.”
“I haven’t even told you when it is yet!” She laughs, shaking her head. “Next Friday. You better be there. No excuses! I gotta run, though. I love you, Daph. I can’t wait to see you!”
“I love you, too!” I blow her a kiss just before the screen cuts out. Handing the phone back to Shannon, I fumble the box holding the business cards, managing to catch it before it hits the ground.
“What’s that?” Luc reaches down to retrieve the gift from my grasp, handing me the lid and plucking one of the cards from within.
“Our graduation present to Daphne.” Shannon swoops in, commandeering my response. “Just a little something to get her started in her business.”
“Oh, wow. That’s amazing, babe. It’s almost like you’re a real business!”
I bristle at his comment, though he doesn’t notice. He continues to admire them, blissfully unaware of the death stare Mama Conners is currently sending his way. She opens her mouth to say something to him, but I quickly shake my head, silently asking her to let it go.
Luc slips the card away, tucking the box up under his arm as he begins to bid the Conners goodbye. “Well, I hate to steal her from you guys, but we do have to go meet her parents.” He looks to me, this time pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll go grab the car. Should buy you a few extra minutes.”
“Thank you.” I smile, genuinely grateful for his thoughtfulness in the moment.
Luc offers up a few final parting words, then makes his way through the crowd toward one of the student lots, leaving me alone with Shannon and Mitch.
“I’ll go grab our car, too,” Mitch offers before pulling me into a hug. “We’re so proud of you, sweetheart. You’re going to be a huge success.”
“Of course she is!” Shannon exclaims with pride. “Just look what she did with our upstairs bedrooms. I want exclusivity on that, by the way. Don’t you be peddling that design to anybody else out here.”
“I would never,” I gasp, my jaw going slack in a show of faux offense.
Mitch releases me, dipping his head to give Shannon a quick kiss like he isn’t going to see her in five minutes, then takes off across the field. It’s then I take notice of a decorative pale purple gift bag beside Shannon’s feet.
She tracks my gaze, smiling when she bends down to retrieve it.
“He also wanted me to give you this.”
“Nicky did?” I question, thinking I misunderstood her.
But alas, she nods, passing the present to me that’s deceptively heavy. Glancing to her once more, it isn’t until she waves at me to get on with it that I finally begin to sift through all the bubblegum pink tissue paper.
My hand pushes deeper, enclosing around something smooth and hard. I slowly pull the object free, and a lump seems to form in my throat as I take in the sight of the pristine porcelain unicorn.
It’s a decent size, the mini statue standing about six or seven inches tall, an elegant bright white depiction of the mythical creature from the neck up. It’s horn sits high atop its head, adorned with gold glitter, sparkling in the sunlight.
It’s beautiful.
Turning it over in my hands, I locate a small slit in the back along its mane. A coin bank? Odd choice. Taking note of the small tag dangling from the handle of the bag, I flip it over to read the short message written in his familiar scrawl.
A unicorn to guard your wishes in hopes they all come true.
I hope you don’t mind, I went first.
“Here.” Shannon extends her hand, passing me a small scrap of paper. “He said you’d know what to do with it.”
My heart gallops in my chest, my fingers trembling as they fumble to flip open the thin slip.
I wish she’d come to dinner.
A car horn sounds out from somewhere in the distance, though I remain dialed in on the wish I hold in my hands.
