Chapter 72

Lisa threw herself at Steve and he had to reach up to catch her as she flew through the air. Somehow he let Lisa settle into his lap so she could reach up and kiss him hard on the lips.

“Thanks! And thank you, Gwen, for letting me enjoy your boyfriend so much. He’s a great guy!”

Steve was nervous as he watched Gwen open her gift. It was much larger than the gifts he had given the others and he held his breath as Gwen tore the wrapping away.

“Now we’ll see if bigger is better,” laughed Gwen as she uncovered a large box and lifted the lid. “I’m speechless! Mom, girls, look at this! Have you ever seen anything like it? It’s amazing!”

As she spoke Gwen lifted a framed oil painting and held it so the others could view it. It was a painting of Gwen from her first date as she danced in Steve’s arms. His back was three-quarters toward the viewer and Gwen was facing forward.

She was the obvious focus of the painting and it was incredibly beautiful. Her mother a