Page 38 of Trying Not to Need You

“You’re welcome,” I tell her as she pulls back. “You ready for the second gift?”

“There’s no way you could top this one, but yes. Bring it on.”

“Okay. I’ll be right back.” I stand again and move to the small tree, grabbing the box I stashed behind the table earlier. “As I said, this one is kind of, well… you’re too old for it, but it made me think of you, and…” I shrug. I don’t know what else to say about it.

“Gimme, McBride.” She holds out her hands and wiggles her fingers.

“My feelings won’t be hurt, and we can toss it or donate it or whatever,” I tell her.

“I’m sure it’s perfect,” she assures me as she takes the package from my hand. She waits until I’m seated next to her before she starts, tearing into the packaging. Paper is flying, and I hear her gasp. “Stop it! You did not.” She examines the box before hugging it to her chest. “Macklin, this is awesome. Can we do it now? I mean, did you have your heart set on a movie?” she asks, hopeful.

“Baylor, the only thing I have my heart set on is you. The rest is just a bonus. If this is what you want to do, then we’ll do it. Do you want to do it here or at the table?”

“Here.” She dances and wiggles with excitement. “I made these all the time as a kid,” she says, nodding to the friendship bracelet kit in her hands.

“I know. I still have them.”

“What? No. You do not.”

“I do.” I nod. “I don’t know why, but I kept them. It wasn’t until years later, when I realized I was falling for you, that I understood why. Back then, you were too young, and I was too focused on joining the circuit. But when I came home that year you graduated, and I saw you, it clicked. I went back to Mom’s, where I was staying at the time, and dug them out of my nightstand.”

“Can I see them?”

“Sure.” I shrug. “You want to go with me to get them?”

“Is that a real question?” She laughs as we both climb to our feet. She loops her arm around mine as I lead us to my bedroom. Flipping on the light, I move to the nightstand, remove the small velvet bag, and hand it to her.

I watch as she pulls open the strings, reaches inside, and pulls out the handful of bracelets she made me all those years ago. “Macklin—” she breathes. She lifts her head, and her eyes are swimming with tears. “I can’t believe you kept these.”

I shrug, because to be honest, back then, I didn’t see her as anything other than Ellison’s little sister. I hated the thought of tossing them because of the proud smile she gave each of us as she handed them out. Maybe subconsciously it was something more—that’s what I’m allowing myself to believe. I wasn’t ready. She was far too young and wasn’t even on my radar back then. However, this tiny bag of homemade bracelets connects us.

“This is everything.” She stares down at the bracelets a little longer before shoving them back into the small velvet bag and pulling the string tight. Two steps, and she’s standing toe-to-toe with me. “Here,” she says, offering me the bag.

I take the bag and toss it back into the nightstand. When I turn around, she’s staring at me. Her eyes are still glassy, and her smile is the biggest I’ve ever seen from her. I’m so lost in the smile directed at me that I don’t notice her hand lifting until it’s resting against my cheek.

She now has my full attention.

Rising on her tiptoes, she says breathily, “Thank you, Macklin,” before her lips press to mine.

It’s just a quick peck as far as kisses go, but she initiated it. “Best Christmas gift ever,” I whisper against her lips. She giggles as she drops her hand from my cheek and takes a step back. She pulls in a deep breath and slowly exhales before offering me her hand. “Come on, cowboy. Let’s go make some bracelets.”

I place my hand in hers, because there is no question that I’ll follow this woman anywhere. We settle into our pillow oasis, as she likes to call it, and the rest of the night, we laugh, talk, and make friendship bracelets. It’s not at all how I thought the night would go. I was worried it was too childish, but I went with my gut. I wanted to show her that I know her, and I’m pretty sure I succeeded.

Eleven

Baylor

I smile as I take one last look in the mirror, and instead of making sure my makeup—what very little I’m wearing—is even, my eyes go to the diamond horseshoe necklace that Macklin gave me for Christmas.

It’s been over a week now. Christmas has come and gone, but my sisters still smirk when they see me wearing it, which has been every day. It’s too beautiful to leave in the jewelry box. Besides, this is the first gift a man has ever given me that fits my personality. I’m trying not to think too much about that, but it’s hard when I see the shining pendant every time I glance in the mirror.

Speaking of my sisters, they’re thrilled with Macklin’s interest in me. They say he’s a good guy, and that’s what I need in my life. They’re not wrong, but I think a big part of the push is that they want me to stay in Magnolia Ridge. That, and I know they want to see me happy.

As for me, I’m taking each day as it comes. The idea of a life with Macklin is appealing. I won’t lie. He is my childhood crush after all. However, the worry still lingers. Worry that he’s going to change his mind, just like Todd did, or that I won’t be enough once he gets to know the adult version of me better. Either way, I’m not pushing him away, but I’m not exactly holding him close either. He asked for a chance, and I’m giving him that, slowly, cautiously, and Macklin hasn’t complained once.

Every day, he shows me his words aren’t empty. He’s a man of his word.

I know this. My heart knows this. Even in my head, I know, but fear can be brutal, and so can insecurities. I’m trying to work past that, and he’s done exactly as he said he would. He’s here. Not forcing himself into my life but blending into it. It’s only been a few weeks, but he’s always on my mind, and I know that he’s going to be a part of my day, every day, in some way, shape, or form, and I’m okay with that.