His expression is impossible to read.It’s too quiet.Then he looks down again, staring at the key like I handed him something sacred instead of access to my building and an apartment ruled by a judgmental cat.
“I know we’re still figuring things out,” I rush out.“And I’m not saying this means anything huge.I just,” My throat tightens.“I just want you to know you’re welcome there.Not because you show up outside.Not because you asked.Because I want you there.Whenever you want to be there.”
Hayden’s eyes close for just a second.Like something hurts, or maybe something healed.Maybe both.When he opens them again, there’s so much emotion in his face it almost scares me.
“Nessa.”And without saying anything else, he reaches under the tree to pull out another small box.
Suspicion pricks through me, my hand rising in an attempt to cover the smile forming on my lips.“No…”
His mouth twitches.“No what?”
“Hayden.”
“Open it.”
“Oh my God.”I shake my head and take the box from him, already fighting a laugh before I even tear the paper open.Inside is a key.On a delicate silver keychain shaped like a crescent moon.
I stare at it.Then at him.Then back at it.For one second, we are both silent.Then I start laughing.And it’s not a polite little laugh.It’s a full, helpless laugh that spills out of me so hard Vinny startles inside the gift bag and launches himself out of the room in a flash of fur.
Hayden watches me with one brow slightly raised, but his mouth is twitching now too.
I stop laughing long enough to speak.“You made me a key?”
“Yes.”
“To your apartment?”
“Yes.”
I press a hand to my chest, and grin.“You want me to live here?”
He nods and shrugs like it’s a foregone conclusion.“Well, yes.And I guess Vinny too, even though he is a menace.”
“He loves you.”I assure him as warmth fills my chest that he’s including Vinny.
“He tolerates me because I feed him salmon and own fluffy blankets.”
I laugh again, and this time Hayden does too.It’s low and real and beautiful.The sound fills the apartment, wrapping around the tree lights and the mess and the snow beyond the windows.And I realize how much this already feels like home.
After a moment, the humor softens into something quieter.Hayden reaches for my hand, the key still resting in my palm.“So, what do you want?”
The question settles between us.The weight of it important.I look down at the two keys resting side by side on the rug.Access.Choice.Trust.Doors opening both ways.
“I know I want a future with you,” I respond honestly.
His thumb brushes once across my knuckles.“I want that too.”
The words come rough.Almost reverent.My chest aches.
“Does that mean living together?”I don’t mistake the hope that surrounds his question.
I glance around the apartment.The tree.The ribbon.Vinny now half-buried under wrapping paper.Hayden sitting beside me looking more exposed than I ever thought I’d see him as he waits for my answer.
“I think it means we’re ready to talk about it.”
A faint smile touches his mouth.“That sounds like a very adult response.”
“I’m very mature.”
