The morning light streamed through the bedroom window, hitting Candace right between the eyes. Brian’s chest was warm under her cheek, and she planted a kiss on it before raising her head to look at the clock—a little after nine—and then his peacefully sleeping face. Ordinarily she’d let him snooze, but there were more pressing matters this morning. “Baby?” His head turned toward her on the pillow, but his eyes didn’t open. “Hmm?” “Can I open my present now?” Both of his arms came around her and he tugged her back down, snuggling her close. “Impatient.” “That’s easy for you to say, I let you open yours last night. Please?” It had been a week since her parents’ Christmas party, and he hadn’t dropped one hint about what her present might be. She was about to explode. “In a minute!” She giggled at his mock-angry tone as he pulled her even closer, so that she could hardly breathe.
