Page 70 of One Night with Number Nineteen

“Open it, Saw-yur!” Ollie demands.

“Open it,” Lainey agrees, albeit more gently.

I tear open the paper, tug the lid off the box, and feel my heart squeeze all over again.

“Pages,” I whisper.

“For your neck,” she says.

“Want to try it out?” Ollie asks.

“Maybe later,” I tell him. “Right now, I want you and your mom to open your presents.”

I pass them their bags, and Ollie tears into his⁠—

“Whoa! Really?” he exclaims, tugging the adorable stuffed penguin with the adorably grumpy face.

“Ollie,” I say, making the toy waddle in his direction. “Meet Ollie.”

He grins and hugs the grumpy penguin close, and I’m glad all over again that I ordered and paid for express shipping the night Lainey mentioned him wanting one.

Because the look on his face?

Totally worth it.

“I love him! Thank you, Saw-yur!”

“You’re welcome, buddy.” I return the hug he gives me then turn to Lainey, who’s watching me with a soft look on her face. “Your turn,” I urge.

She pulls out the tissue paper and then the set of pens I noticed she likes. The notebook I included alongside them was a last-minute audible.

I just liked the smattering of colors on the cover. Thought it would fit into Lainey’s chaotic office.

“Thank you,” she whispers, stroking her fingers over the front. “It’s gorgeous.”

“I thought you might keep it by your bed so you don’t have to get up when the ideas strike you.”

Her face goes even softer, but all she says is “Thank you,” again.

“I almost got you tickets to Rent, but I wasn’t sure if you’d want to see it.”

“Mom knows every word to Rent,” Ollie says matter-of-factly.

Pink on her cheeks. “Well, it is my favorite musical.”

I make a mental note to find out her schedule.

Because I’m definitely buying her those tickets now.

Ollie’s run off to play with his toys, so I help her gather up the detritus and follow her into the kitchen to throw it away.

“How’d you know I like musicals?”

I touch her cheek. “Pages, you have playbills pinned to the wall of your office.”

Soft brown eyes, teeth nibbling her bottom lip.

God, she’s beautiful.