Page 73 of My December Darling

“But—”

“Just open it and you’ll see.”

He rips at the wrapping paper with a smile that grows once he sees what is hidden underneath the gift wrap.

“A keychain?”

I reach over and point at the white coat the yellow LEGO is wearing. “He looks just like you.”

He stares at it.

I can’t stand the silence, so I speak again, “Now you’ll always have it on you so you can remember you’re not an imposter.”

“That’s…” He doesn’t finish his sentence.

I nervously fidget with my headband, making the bells on the tips of my reindeer antlers jingle. “I told you it wasn’t much of a gift.”

“Thank you.” He smiles, and I return it with one of my own as he pulls the keychain out of the box.

Luke reaches into his pocket for his car fob and immediately adds my present to the metal ring. It makes me excited to see him using my present already, especially since I spent the last few hours worrying that he would find it goofy.

He tosses his keys on the counter and wraps his arm around my waist, tugging me against his chest. “I love it.”

“It’s not a lot?—”

“It’sperfect.”

I fiddle with my earring, a nervous habit.

“Really. This might be the sweetest Christmas present someone has gotten for me in a long while.”

“No way,” I say in disbelief.

“I’m being serious. The last time I spent the holiday with my parents, they gave me an encyclopedia set.”

“Are they big on reading?”

“Yes, their favorite genre is whatever can bore someone to death the fastest.”

I laugh, which makes his whole face light up.

“They sound…”Maybe you shouldn’t finish that sentence.

“I know exactly how they sound, and you’re far too kind to say it aloud.”

I fail to hide my wince. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” He shrugs. The gesture should put my concerns at ease, but it only makes me feel worse about his home life.

“No, but that doesn’t mean I can’t feel bad on your behalf.” I cup his cheek.

He leans into my palm, and I brush my thumb over his stubble. “Should I continue talking about them to earn more pity points?”

I poke him in the chest. “I don’t pity you.”

“Good, because trust me when I say I’m way happier spending the holiday with all of you anyway.”

My heart skips a beat. “You are?”

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