“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 grinned. A few seconds later the door opened.
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 dinner, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it.
“And after dinner, I have another surprise for you,” I warned her.
“You do?” she whispered.
I nodded. “But you’ve got to join me for dinner first.”
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 dinner. No. More than cool. Familiar. As if we’d done this every night, which was bizarre, because I was lucky to wash my own dishes at home, but this…yeah, this was good.
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 planned this going. I wanted her to be happy, to smile. I wanted her to see that even without her father, she could still have tradition.
“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.