Oblivion

She stared at her can and shook her head. “Nope.”

I eyed her closely, unsure if I believed her or not, but why would she lie? Knowing her, she probably didn’t want me to worry. “Nothing at all.”

“No.” Those thick lashes lifted. “Has the DOD come around since Saturday?”

“That would be a no.” I took a drink and then placed the can down. I leaned forward, resting an arm on the table. “So you’re going to join us for Thanksgiving?”

Her lips curved up at the corners. “Dee’s invited me, but I’m not sure yet.”

“Why?”

“It’s just…I don’t know. I don’t want to creep all up in your family time.”

Extending my arm, I tapped my fingers on hers. She peered up at me through her lashes. “You know you’re seriously welcome, right? It’s not just Dee and me having di

“I know,” she said. “The Thompsons and Mr. Garrison are coming over, but they’re your family. I’m not.”

I met her stare. “You’re just as important to us.”

Her gaze rested on where my fingers touched her hand. “I’ll think about it.”

“Promise?”

She glanced up and gri

I pulled my arm back. “So how’s Beethoven been? Seen him lately?”

“Beethoven?” She laughed with a shake of her head. “You mean Blake.”

“Whatever.”

“You’re such an ass,” she said, smiling slightly. “How can you not remember his name?”

I smirked. “He’s just not that memorable.”

“Uh-huh.”

“So? You’ve seen him?”

“No,” she said. “He’s visiting his family during Thanksgiving break.”

“Maybe we’ll get lucky and he’ll stay there,” I suggested.

Her eyes rolled. “You’d like that.”

“Undoubtedly.”

Kat cocked her head to the side. “There’re the adverbs again.”

“Oh, I have more for you. How about undeniably? Unequivocally?”

She eyed me over her can of soda. “Aren’t you so proud of yourself.”

“Unashamedly.”

A giggle snuck out of her as she lowered her can. “That sums up you in one word.”

“It’s a good word.” I watched her toy with the tab on her can. She peeked up at me, and when our eyes met this time, she didn’t look away. A long, tense silence stretched out between us, and I thought about how relieved she’d been when I’d come home Saturday night.

Kat didn’t get it when it came to the whole Thanksgiving thing. She didn’t think she belonged or was a part of us. She had no idea that she was begi

Well, than anyone else that was going to be here on Thanksgiving. And that was dangerous. Potentially stupid. Risky. Also exhilarating.

Thrilling.

I ignored the look Dee sent in my direction as I gathered up the last of the Christmas decorations that I figured she wouldn’t murder me in my sleep for taking. She was smiling knowingly. Of course she was. And that was why I was pretending she didn’t exist.

Making a quick pass into the kitchen, I grabbed the covered plates and then went back to the box by the door.

“Very sweet of you,” Dee said.

“Shut it.”

She giggled as I willed the door open and stepped outside. I used the Source to get the box. It floated behind me like a puppy. As I crossed the lawn and stepped onto the front porch, I knew I was taking a risk, because I never knew what version of Kat I was going to get these days, but I couldn’t stand the idea of her spending Thanksgiving alone.

Like it or not, she would be continuing her traditions.

As I knocked on the door, I felt the familiar tingle along the back of my neck and gri

Kat’s lips parted, and hell, that made me want to kiss her. But I always wanted to kiss her, so that was no different from any other day.

“Hey.” I lifted the stack of covered plates. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

She blinked. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

“You going to invite me in?” I wiggled the plates. “I come bearing gifts in the form of food.”

For a moment, she didn’t move, and then she stepped aside. I walked in, motioning at the box behind me. It landed inside the foyer with a jingle, and Kat just stood there, staring at me like I had walked into the house butt-ass-naked.

“I brought a little of everything.” Off to the kitchen I went. “There’s turkey, yams, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, some kind of apple crisp thing and pumpkin—Kitten? Are you coming?”

Silent, she followed me in as I got two candleholders and candles that looked like they’ve never been used. With a wave of my hand, the wicks caught fire. She was still quiet as I went about setting up di

“And after di

“You do?” she whispered.

I nodded. “But you’ve got to join me for di

She slowly made her way to the table and sat, clearing her throat. “Daemon, I…I don’t know what to say, but thank you.”

Uncomfortable with the thanks, I shrugged. “Thanks aren’t necessary. You didn’t want to come over, which I understand, but you shouldn’t be alone.”

Her gaze dropped, and I got hung up on staring at those freaking thick as hell lashes. Then she reached for the wineglass I’d filled, downing the drink in one gulp.

Holy hell.

“Lush,” I murmured.

Her lovely lips tipped up at the corners. “Maybe—for today.”

I nudged her with my knee under the table. “Dig in before it gets cold.”

The food was divine.

Dee was a damn good cook, which I was suddenly thrilled about, because watching Kat dig into the food with such gusto and enjoyment really made my mind wander into places that had nothing to do with roasted turkey or buttered rolls, but had everything to do with…well, with Kat.

The second glass of wine flushed her cheeks, and things were cool while we cleaned up together after di

She followed me into the foyer, her eyes bright as I moved the large box into the living room. Kat sat on the couch, clasping her hands together as she watched me with a curious expression. Cute. She was so freaking cute. Had no idea.

Taking a deep breath, I opened up the box and pulled out the first green-needled branch. I poked her with it. “I think we have a Christmas tree to put up. I know it’s not during the parade, but I think Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving special is on, and, well, that’s not too bad.”

Her lips parted again, but this time she didn’t just stare at me. Her eyes suddenly took on a glossy sheen. Kat jumped from the couch and raced out of the room.

I stared at the entryway and then dropped the branch. Moving faster than she could track, I darted into the hallway, appearing in front of her, blocking the stairway. She skidded back and tried to turn, but I grasped her arms. “I didn’t do this to make you cry, Kat.”

“I know,” she sniffled. “It’s just…”

Fuck. This was not how I pla

“It’s just what?” I cupped her cheeks, thumbing away the tears. “Kitten?”

Her shoulders rose and fell. “I don’t think you know how much…something like this means to me.” More tears tracked down her cheeks. “I haven’t done this since—since Dad was alive. And I’m sorry to cry, because I’m not sad. I just didn’t expect this.”

Damn.

Those words hit me in the chest like I’d been sucker punched.

Maybe in the back of my head, I knew how much this could mean to her, but I wasn’t prepared. Tugging her toward me, I wrapped my arms around her, and I closed my eyes as she face-planted on my chest. “It’s okay. I get it. Good tears and all.”

Kat didn’t respond, but she held me back, and in that moment, I felt the change in her. Her muscles relaxed as if she’d been holding herself away this whole time. And I relished those moments, basked in them as if I were feeling the warmth of sunlight after a frigid winter.