KIERAN
We had just finished looking at one of the vendor stalls when the thought hit me.
I stopped walking so abruptly that Thane took two more steps before realizing I wasn't beside him anymore.
"What?"
I shoved my hands into my pockets. "I didn't get you anything."
The words slipped out before I could talk myself out of them. The admission felt ridiculous the second it was out in the open, but it was too late to take it back now.
Thane blinked. “You didn’t get me anything?”
"For Christmas."
Understanding dawned across his face. "Kieran?—"
"No, seriously." I dragged a hand through my hair. "Six days ago, I didn't even know who you were. Five days ago, I found out half the city knew who you were. Since then, it's been one thing after another, and somehow I never stopped to think about Christmas presents."
Something warm settled in his expression. The kind of look that made me feel as though he was seeing more than I intended to show. "You don't have to get me anything."
"I know."
"You really don't."
"I know."
His smile widened. "Then why do I feel like you're about to argue with me?"
"Because you're starting to know me."
That earned a laugh.
I looked away before I could get distracted by how much I liked the sound of it. "I just..." I shrugged. "I feel weird showing up for Christmas empty-handed."
For a moment, he didn't say anything. Then he stepped a little closer. "Kieran."
The way he said my name made me look up. "You came with me."
I opened my mouth to protest, but didn't let me.
"You put up with reporters. You met my parents. You left Seattle. You're spending Christmas with me." His voice softened. "Honestly? That's the best gift I've gotten all year."
The stupid thing was that I felt my face getting warm. Nobody should be allowed to say things like that with a straight face. Unfortunately, Thane appeared to have made it a personal mission.
"You're impossible."
"I've been told that."
I shook my head. "Too bad. I still want to buy you something."
The grin that followed looked suspiciously triumphant. "Then let's make a deal."
I narrowed my eyes. "Why do I feel like I'm being set up?"
"Because you're starting to know me."
I hated that he had stolen my line.
