for, lover (Completed; editing)

Chapter 84

"Do you need me to help you carry the bags inside?" Miles asks, walking to the back of the car to open the trunk.

"Yeah because I gotta get you back to your car."

"Right."

He takes a handful of bags consisting of the many new things I know I shouldn't have bought myself, along with some groceries and gifts.

I unlock the front door for him and run back down the sidewalk to get the espresso machine. I had almost given up until we checked one last store and now I'm just glad I finally got Christmas shopping over with.

"Need help with that?" Miles asks, rushing back outside to help me.

I nod and slowly pass it over. He takes it with ease, carrying it inside like a show off. It's literally his job so he's used to it. However, it wouldn't kill me to start lifting weights.

I shut the trunk and follow him inside.

"Are you gonna try to wrap it or just slap a bow on the top?" He grunts and gently places the box on the coffee table.

"Unwrapping is what makes opening gifts fun."

"This is a big box though. It'll take half your roll."

"I'm not worried about it." I laugh and grab from the stack shoved in the corner.

I lay it out on the floor of the living room, rolling out just enough that I'm guessing I would need for the box.

"Here, let me help." Miles says and moves the box down onto the paper.

"You are definitely going to need more than that."

"Alright, alright." I huff and roll out another few inches of paper. I am running low like he said I would.

Miles grabs the scissors from the table and cuts along the dotted line perfectly to separate the piece. I grab the roll of tape and start folding the paper around the box, taping creases down as best as I can.

"That looks nice." Miles grins.

"I'm not great at this."

"I wasn't giving you a backhanded compliment! I mean it." He laughs. "She's going to love it."

"Well good thing the wrapping doesn't matter. It'll get ripped up anyways."

"That's the spirit." He nudges me and laughs harder when I shoot him a glare.

I push the box across the living room to the tree where I have the rest of my mediocrely wrapped gifts.

Miles sits down on the couch and looks around. "You decorated really nicely in here."

I walk back over. "Yeah, I wanted to go all out since I'm the only one living here now. I didn't realize how weird Christmas can feel being on your own."

"You have your family, you just gotta travel to see them. A lot of people do that."

"I know, it's just not the same. Christmas loses that magic it has after you grow up. I guess it would be different if I had kids but for now it's definitely...lonely."

"It doesn't have to be."

I nod and look at him. "I don't mind it right now. I almost prefer it to keep me from doing something stupid." I smile smugly and walk towards the kitchen. "Want some hot chocolate? I bought way too much and I haven't even opened the box yet."

"Sure." He chuckles and reclines back on the cushion to stare at the ceiling.

I heat up two cups of milk in the microwave and add the cocoa mix with some vanilla syrup, topping both of them with a glob of whipped cream.

The last time we had hot chocolate together was right before he disappeared and our entire relationship fell apart.

I sigh under my breath and carry the mugs back to the living room, handing him one and sitting down on the other side of the couch.

"Mm, thank you." He sips it and smiles. "You really do make the best hot chocolate. What's your secret?"

"I use milk and vanilla. Makes a world of difference."

"My mom still drinks hers with water. I tried to get her to change but she's crazy."

I laugh. "Oh God, it's just not the same."

"I know!" He smirks a little, taking another sip. "So..."

I glance at him, arching my brow curiously. "What?" I ask after the awkward pause.

"Can I ask you something?"

I don't know what it will take for this boy to just start asking me a question instead of asking for permission first. The anticipation will always be worse than the actual question.

"Sure." I shrug and set my cup down on the coaster in the center of the coffee table.

He takes one more sip and sets his down next to mine. "Why did you let me back in your life?"

I stare at him. "Miles..."

"I'm serious." He interrupts. "Why did you let me back in after everything that happened? Why did you help me when I didn't even deserve it?"

"Why do you think you didn't deserve it?"

"Do I even have to go there?" He sighs.

I pick at a spot in my jeans and lower my head. "I don't know. I don't like holding grudges."

Miles laughs sending me into shock. "You and I both know that is total bullshit."

I roll my eyes and bring my legs up into the couch. "I didn't want to. You saw my hesitation and I even tried to let you go at the hospital."

"So what changed?"

"Is every little detail that important to you?" I huff.

"Yeah, actually. It is."

I draw in a breath and prop my head against my arm. "I enjoy your company. I'm comfortable around you whether I like it or not."

"You felt that way even when you were with Tony?"

I shoot him a glare. "Is that what this is about?"

"I'm just saying! I saw the way you two interacted. It just didn't make sense to me."

"Love doesn't have to make sense. It just is."

He leans forward a little. "That's what you call whatever that was? You admitted you didn't even really know much about the guy."

"That's why you date people; to find out more about a person. We did the same thing."

"Even after you were together you couldn't even tell me his middle name."

I cross my arms and lean my head back against the cushion. "I literally made you my world famous hot chocolate and here you are getting on my last nerve two days before Christmas."

"And you wouldn't have it any other way." He smirks, lifting the mug up from the table and bringing it to his lips again.