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“Is it yours?”

“I picked it up for you when I was in New York.”

My gaze finds Khaos’s.

“Did you think I was a little kid?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “I meant I got it recently.”

“How recent?”

“This week.”

“You went to the city this week?”

He nods before going over to a cupboard and pulling out a bowl.

I had no idea he left town. Not that I know what he does with his time. I never imagined he’d spend any of it buying me a present.

With his back turned, I free the smile that’s been trying to form. Khaos bought me a gift. It’s not a thong but…it’s better.

As soon as he’s facing this way again, I relax all the muscles in my face. It’s not that big of a deal. It’s just a little stuffed animal. A cute, incredibly soft, little stuffed animal.

It kinda feels like a big deal.

“That was really nice of you.”

“No, it was nothing. I just thought you might… But, you know, if it’s childish…or whatever… You don’t have to keep it.”

I hold the cat behind my back when he reaches for it.

“It’s mine.”

The uncertainty in his gaze surprises me. Is he the self-conscious one now?

“You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

“Okay.” He nods, just once though. “It’s yours.”

“Thank you.”

The only noise in the kitchen is the oven preheating.

I gesture at his other hand. “Where’d you find those?”

“My room.”

“You keep bananas in your bedroom?”

“I keep all kinds of shit up there.”

“Why?”

“To save me from coming down here all the time.”

I roll the cat’s ears between my fingers. “Is that why you went to the city? Because you hate it here so much?”