The Christmas Present

Sharni picked up the last red tie from the rack which also represented the last Christmas gift she had to buy and with a sigh she headed to the counter. She had no idea where the time had gone this year. She had never been this disorganised before and she didn’t like it. Still, with a week to go until Christmas she was done at last.  

There were three people ahead of her in the line and her mind wandered as she waited to be served. Even though the gifts were bought now she still had a couple of dozen things to do. Thinking about where she would go next her focus was brought back to the queue when the person behind her bumped into her. At a sharp pain in her calf she turned her head with a frown, but all she saw was an expanse of male chest. Her eyes moved upwards and as they met the man’s brown eyes he said “I’m really sorry.”

The man looked to be a little older than her, about forty, Sharni thought and with dark hair to match his eyes and strong masculine features, he was very attractive. Looking into his eyes Sharni’s expression changed. “Um…” she stuttered “that’s okay.” 

“Did I hurt you?” he said, his expression concerned as he indicated the large box sitting on the floor between them. His hands were full of smaller packages.  

“No I’m fine.”

He smiled. “Good” he said. 

She returned his smile and turned back to face the other way. Wow she mused, he’d make one hell of a Christmas gift. Only trouble was, she realised, she wouldn’t want to give him away. She laughed to herself and finally it was her turn to be served. Picking up her bags a few minutes later she took one last look at the brown eyed Christmas present as he lifted his purchases up onto the counter and she walked out of the store.