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But it felt odd to indulge without Spencer, who’d left late last night to be with Abi and Caleb for the morning.

I watched the trees blow in the wind across the property, only jolted out of it at the sound of my phone ringing.

Quickly, I reached for the device and swiped on the adorable picture of Spencer I’d added to her contact. “Hey, you.”

Through the screen, Spencer closed a door and moved toward a bed. “Hey, Bunny. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas.” I couldn’t hide the beaming smile that took over my face as I looked at her face. There was no denying how much I missed her, even after just a night away. She and Leo were quickly becoming two of my favorite people.

Not that the list was very long.

“God, I miss your face.” Spencer groaned as she flopped onto a bed, the screen blurring as she moved.

A blush instantly rose to my cheeks; a soft pulsing started between my legs. She looked good, her hair a messy mop of light brown. Even through the screen, her dark eyes drew me further in.

“So, what did the Doctor get you?” Spencer smiled.

Looking over my shoulder, I spotted the gift box Leo had left on the kitchen island that morning. Before I’d gotten my claws into it, it was wrapped in a beautiful, deep green paper. The glittery gold ribbon had gotten specks of glitter all over the kitchen — something I knew Dom would fucking hate.

And maybe it had motivated me to be a little extra sloppy when I tossed the ribbon to the ground.

I’d been a bit surprised by how beautifully wrapped it was until Leo reminded me that she was a literal doctor and cared about precision.

Peeking back at Spencer, I shrugged. “Some gorgeous art supplies. A set of brand new pencils and sketchbooks. And then she surprised me with a huge easel.”

“You love it?” It was hardly a question, Spencer knew how badly I’d wanted new sketching stuff.

Nodding, I smiled. “I do, lots of stuff I could draw.” My mind was still flashing back to my afternoon with Leo in the studio. I wouldn’t mind getting Spencer in a similar position. Maybe put the two of them together.

As I adjusted, Spencer’s eyes jumped down to my chest. The old tshirt I was wearing had been hacked up by an angsty nineteen year old Kiera who wanted a scoop neck pajama shirt.

And being that it was Christmas day, I wasn’t about to put a bra on.

“Perv.” I scolded Spencer, with a wink.

“You should open mine. It’s just something small.” Spencer gestured to the dresser behind my head.

Making quick work of grabbing it, I flopped back on the bed with the small box in front of me. Spencer waited patiently as I got into position, peeling open the simple brown craft paper wrapping.

“Sorry I didn’t buy any of that Christmas shit. Your other option was the Bluey paper I bought for Abs and Caleb.” Spencer shrugged.

Scoffing, I shook my head. Even they were too old for the Bluey paper. But I was certain they’d gotten a good laugh over it.

“I like it, it’s elegant.”

“First time someone’s said that.” Spencer wiggled an eyebrow at me as I opened the small box.

Inside were two pieces of folded up paper. My face scrunched up as I peeled the papers open. Barcodes and a band name: ArkAngels. A show in the Spring.

“What is this?”

Laughing, Spence smiled at me. “A concert, a small one. It’s a cool alternative band I thought you might like, they’re coming to Valemont for a show.”

Scolding her, I scowled at her. “I’m not supposed to be hanging out in public right now.”

“Call it wishful thinking. By Spring, you’ll be free. No Bunny in a cage.”

It was a nice thought, that at some point Gabriel — and now Isaac — would stop hunting me. That I could live my life without the constant threat of their retribution. Retribution for what exactly, I still wasn’t sure.