Noah and Angel were childhood sweethearts and teenage lovers. With youth comes unrealistic ideas sometimes, and also bad choices. But just about the time they reach manhood, Noah’s demons pull them apart.<br><br>Seven years later, he gets a second chance when Angel returns to town. Hoping everything can be different, Noah sets out to remind him how wonderful their past was by secretly sending him thirteen gifts commemorating their happiest times, one on each day beginning December 11.<br><br>By Christmas Eve, Noah hasn’t heard a word back, and wonders if Angel even recognized the meaning of the offerings. When Angel does get in touch, he only remembers the bad things that drove them apart. Can Noah remind him how good they had it, too?

The Presents and the Past

“I am. Thanks. Just needed a little support.”


I put the lid on the slow cooker. “Worst case scenario—and highly unlikely—we’ll end up with twenty pounds of meat for two people for Christmas dinner.”


“Four people. I love you, too, Big Big. You and Leo are people.”


When I headed upstairs, Pocket followed. Certain my phone on the counter was ringing, I poked my head out of the shower four times.


My reindeer boxers felt tight when I put them on afterward. I blamed it on wet skin, rather than all the free goodies I’d crammed down my throat hanging out with Troy at the bakery. No big. I turned up the heat and took them off.


Some of the people on my route knew I had a cat. Picking out the toy mice wasn’t terribly difficult, especially once Pocket got a whiff of catnip.


Chapter 36