The Perfect Present Chapter Two
Lunchtime, Jess was hard at work on her list. "Okay, I'll skip Becker for now. He's going to be a challenge. I'll do Connor next."
"Don't tell Abby," said Becker smirking, "that you're 'doing' Connor next."
She glared at him. "Stop eavesdropping and being dirty."
Becker laughed. "So, a gift for Temple, huh? How about Spock ears?"
"You know who Spock is?"
"Sure. I just don't pray to him."
"Funny. I know a store that specializes in sci-fi merchandise and I'll pop in and have a browse."
"Oh, you mean a geek store."
"Go away. You're bugging me."
Becker laughed. "I want to hear your thoughts for Abby."
"Why? Are you secretly dating her?"
Becker actually looked offended. "No. I wouldn't do that to Connor."
"I was joking, Becker. Why would you be interested in gift ideas for Abby or anyone for that matter?"
"I'm horrendously bored, Jess. Since you are the perfect gift giver I was curious. What on earth do you get an animal lover who has access to animals that are extinct?"
"Good point," said Jess. "I don't know yet. I'm thinking. The perfect present starts with thinking."
Becker smiled. "You're serious, aren't you? You really go to all this trouble to find something 'perfect,' huh?"
"Yes. Why does it surprise you?"
"I just never got into the whole present thing, I guess. My parents never did the shopping. We all knew it was the staff and personal assistants."
"Really?"
"Dad was busy, advisers that high up in the military usually are. Mom had so many charity organizations. Plus we all lived away at boarding and military schools. Gifts just weren't personal, Jess."
"That's horrible. You're family."
Becker shrugged. "Neither one of my parents have ever been the touchy-feely type. I wonder what they'd think of you," he said thoughtfully.
"They'd be awed and impressed," she said with a smile.
He grinned. "Probably," he said. She looked at him and they just stared at each other. Jess blushed, and finally, Becker looked away.
"So, any ideas for Abby at all?" he asked, trying to cut the awkwardness.
"Well, Abby and Connor are engaged, so I was thinking of a present that would help with the wedding. Maybe a gift certificate for the wedding cake or flowers. Something like that."
"That's thoughtful, Jess."
"That's the trick to the perfect present Becker."
He looked at her. His mind was doing some thinking itself. He wasn't used to giving gifts, and certainly nothing personal, but he was thinking of making an exception for Jess Parker.
End Of Chapter 2