Page 141 of Pretty Thing

Felix stops, and I look around, confused. Everything seems the same. Nothing is jumping out at me. Then I do a double-take. There’s a fish tank on the table behind the couch.

I move closer and then screech like I’ve lost my mind.

“Oh my god, oh my god. You got me musk turtles. They are so cute,” I say, running over and then bouncing on the balls of my feet.

The joy is overwhelming.

Spinning around, I practically leap on Felix. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him hard.

“Thank you. Thank you so much. They’re incredible.”

He smiles wide.

“I’m happy you love them. You’ve suffered so much loss. I just thought you deserved something that will make you smile every day.”

Happy tears trail down my cheeks as he brushes a piece of hair behind my ear.

“I know this isn’t what you saw for your future, and I can't give back what you’ve lost...but I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make what’s left beautiful, Eden. I hope you know that.”

There are no words to describe what I’m feeling. I can’t speak, so I kiss him again as his hands slide down to my waist.

The kiss is fiery and all-consuming, just like Felix, and despite the desire coursing between us, I’m too excited about my gift to let it continue.

Pulling out of his arms, I clap and dash around to kneel on the couch so I can stare at my new little pets.

“What are you going to call them? The guy at the store says they are both girls.”

“Hmm…I need to think. This is an important decision.”

My cell rings from the bedroom.

“I’ll go grab it. Keep thinking of names. What about Van and Halen?” He laughs, backing out of the room.

“That’s not a bad idea. How about Halen and Jovi?”

“I like it,” Felix calls out as he disappears down the hall.

He comes back, holding the phone out.

“It’s Kris.”

I answer the phone, excited to tell her all about my gift.

“Kris, oh my god, you’ll never guess what Felix got me,” I say, waiting only a second before answering the question myself. “Turtles. Eek!”

“Eden?”

“They are two of the most adorable turtles I’ve ever seen. I think I’m going to call them band names. What do you think?”

“Eden?”

“Oh, I can do Queen. That will have to be for the bossy one.”

“Eden!”

I stop talking, my mind screeching to a halt at the tone of Kris’s voice.

“What? What is it?”