Hometown Love (Love on the North Shore #2)(59)

Before Jessie could respond, the sliding door into the kitchen opened and Mack appeared with his parents, Grace, and Socks. “We’re in good shape out there. It’s time to give Grace the rest of her presents.”

Without another word, Jessie walked around Bethany. No matter what, she planned to enjoy giving Grace her gift. If Bethany wanted to be a cold bitch, so be it.

“Before we give her the one from both of us, I have a small gift just from me.” Remembering how much she’d enjoyed unwrapping presents, she’d picked up a small gift at the mall.

“I have my gift for her, too.” Bethany grabbed something from her purse and joined everyone in the living room.

Seated on the floor with Socks next to her, Grace looked between her presents. “I don’t know which to open first.”

Bethany leaned forward, her breasts almost falling out of the low-cut top she wore. “Why not save the one from Jessie for last since it’s the biggest, and open mine first since it is the smallest?”

Jessie had learned enough about Bethany today to know that size had nothing to do with her suggestion. Bethany assumed her gift had the biggest wow factor.

Going along with her mom’s suggestion, Grace peeled off the paper, letting it fall around her. “They’re earrings just like Mom’s!” Grace said after she opened up the black jewelry box.

“Now be careful with those. They’re real diamonds.” Bethany returned the hug her daughter gave her before throwing Jessie a smug smile.

“Look, Jessie.” Grace turned toward her.

Stunned, Jessie looked at the earrings. She didn’t know a lot about jewelry, but she suspected the diamonds were close to half a carat each. Who gave that kind of gift to a six-year-old?

“You bought her real diamond earrings?” Mack asked, his voice heavy with disbelief. “She still loses her shoes. How do you expect her to keep track of those?”

Bethany gave no outward appearance that Mack’s words fazed her. “She doesn’t have to wear them now. You can always put them in a safe place until she’s older if that makes you feel better.”


Her idea held merit, but Jessie kept her mouth closed as the tension in the room grew.

“Why don’t you open another present, Grace?” Rose asked from across the room.

Mack’s expression said he wanted to say more, but he took his mom’s advice and handed Grace the next present. “This one is from Jessie and me.”

Oblivious to the tension, Grace ripped off the princess-covered wrapping paper, and opened the box. First, she pulled out the plastic tiara with the fake gemstones. Next, she grabbed a piece of paper with something on it that Mack had made on his computer. Since Grace’s reading was limited, he’d included pictures such as an airplane and a castle.

“Get,” Grace said. “What’s this word?” She pointed to the paper.

“Ready,” Mack answered.

“Get ready for,” Grace’s voice trailed off her eyes taking in the pictures. When she put it all together, her eyes got big. “We’re going to Florida!” She leapt to her feet, dancing while wearing the tiara. After a few twirls around the room, she hugged Mack. “This is the best present ever!”

Mack grinned from ear to ear as well. “It’s from Jessie, too. She’s coming.”

Grace launched herself at Jessie—with just enough enthusiasm to set Bethany scowling at her.

“I’m going to Florida!” Grace bounced away toward her grandparents, the last gift still unopened, but Jessie kept silent. After real diamond earrings, a dog, and a trip, the new dollhouse furniture she’d bought would look lame.



***



“What a day.” Mack sat next to Jessie and she leaned into him. It was the first chance all day for them to have some alone time. His parents had stuck around for dinner, as had Bethany. While his parents had left not long after, his ex-wife had stayed until Grace’s bedtime. “She was fighting it, but I bet she’s sound asleep now. Her eyelids were half closed when we tucked her in.”

In the past, they’d tucked Grace in together when she visited. Tonight, with Bethany around, Jessie had hung back and allowed her mother to do it instead, even though seeing Mack and Bethany walk upstairs together had torn her up inside. “She had a busy day with lots of excitement.”

Mack pulled her back against him as he reclined. “Did you see her expression when she opened the gift from us? I wish I’d taken a picture.”

That expression and the one on Bethany’s face were burned into her memory. “I did. I’m not sure which gift she liked best the dog, the trip or those earrings.”

“What the hell was Bethany thinking, diamond earrings for a six year old? I have no problem with her buying Grace some nice jewelry, but those are ridiculous.” Mack spat out the words.

Jessie agreed, but rather than further comment on the silly gift, she said, “You’ll just have to hold them for now.” Then she changed the subject all together. “I enjoyed visiting with your parents. It was too bad Erin and Marcus couldn’t stay longer. Brianna didn’t want to leave.”

Mack’s hand snuck under her sweater. His skin was still cold from when he’d taken the dog outside and goose bumps formed on her stomach. “I thought everyone would never leave tonight.” His hand continued upward until it reached her bra then it pushed the fabric back and caressed her breast. “My parents are crazy about you. They told me on separate occasions how happy they are that we’re together.”