Who We Could Be - Chelsea M. Cameron Page 0,7

hitting it out of the park until now.

For some reason, finding a wedding present for Monty was proving to be an impossible task. I’d thought that I could get “something old” and quirky for her, but I wasn’t having much luck.

“How goes the dusting, my love?” Vanessa said, giving her wife a kiss.

“Never-ending,” Hollie said with a laugh.

“Hey, you signed up for this,” Vanessa said, holding up Hollie’s hand where an antique emerald ring glinted in the light.

“Yes, darling,” Hollie said, kissing Vanessa on the cheek. I loved seeing the two of them together. They’d only been married for a few years, but had been together as long as I could remember. I’d spent my childhood rampaging through the antique store with them chasing after me and pleading with me not to break anything. They never got mad when I inevitably did. Seeing them together was like seeing a matched set. They fit so perfectly, with Hollie tucked under Vanessa’s arm.

“Look around,” Vanessa said, her arm around Hollie, one hand playing with Hollie’s brown curls. “See if anything strikes your fancy. Don’t think about finding the right present, just think about something she’d like. A regular present, without the pressure of it having to be the perfect wedding present.” That made sense.

I took my time going through the shop, trying to take everything in. The place was crowded, but organized and clean. The furniture all smelled of lemon polish and I always associated that smell with warmth and comfort. I walked past the corner with the books, where I used to hide and read when my aunts babysat me. My eyes meandered, looking at clocks and paintings and dishes and dolls. Monty would kill me if I bought her a creepy doll that was probably haunted, no matter how funny it would be to watch her open it.

No, joke gifts were not going to fly. I had to get her something special and personal. Everyone else was getting shit off her registry, but I didn’t play that game. This woman was my best friend, and I was not getting a present that just anyone could get her.

Something caught my eye and I saw a tiny silver tea set. It was only enough for two cups, but it was shiny and pretty and embossed with roses.

“Aunt V? I think I found something,” I called and waited for my aunts to join me. I looked at the price tag and winced. Ouch. Good thing I’d set money aside for this.

“What you got there?” Vanessa said, peering over my shoulder. I pointed at the tea set.

“Oh, that’s gorgeous, she’s going to love it. You should get her some cloths and silver polish too. We got that off an estate sale,” Hollie said, putting her chin on Vanessa’s shoulder.

“It’s yours,” Vanessa said, hugging me. I leaned in and inhaled the scent of lemon polish and something just a tiny bit musty.

“No way, I’m paying for it,” I said, as Hollie picked up the set and went to wrap it and put it in a box for me to take.

“No way, you’re not paying for it,” Vanessa said. “And that’s final.” Her hazel eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms.

“But—” I tried to argue, but she put both hands on my shoulders.

“Listen, this is a present from you and from us. We love Monty, so consider it a joint present.”

I couldn’t really argue with that. “Fine. But I’m putting your names on the card.”

“Deal,” Vanessa said, as we walked toward the front and the door dinged with the arrival of a new customer in search of treasures.

Hollie put the box in my hands and I thanked both of them for the gift.

“We’ll see you for dinner tomorrow night?” I balanced the box as I pushed through the door.

“Yup,” I said. Every other Sunday I had dinner with my aunts. They said it was to rescue me from being raised with three older brothers, which I appreciated.

I took the present home and put it in my room before driving to Monty’s place.

“Hey, it’s me,” I called as I walked through the door. I had a key, but it wasn’t like she ever needed to lock her door. This was rural Maine. You were more likely to lose your key and have to call a locksmith than have someone break in. Fortunately, the local locksmith was really nice and if you invited him in for coffee and let him yammer a little bit about his life, he