But holding her at Harper’s wedding, feeling the warmth of her body against mine, how naturally she fit in my arms, had made every restraint feel like a battle. For a moment, I had wanted to forget caution, forget patience, and ignite everything I felt, letting it burn between us.
But I couldn’t.
Not yet.
Maybe—just maybe—the magic of the holidays would change everything.
“Caleb?”Nyah asked, frowning. “What are you doing here?”
“Lucas asked me to come over and help with the tree,” I said, stepping inside. “I thought you knew?”
Before she could respond, Lucas appeared. I went after him immediately, chasing him around the living room until he was shrieking with laughter. When I finally caught him, I tickled him until he could barely breathe. “So,” I said, grinning down at him, “you didn’t tell your mom, huh?”
He only laughed harder.
I straightened and looked at Nyah.
She was watching us quietly, something guarded flickering behind her eyes. I felt that pull toward her, the one I kept pretending wasn’t there.
“I’d like to help with the tree,” I said. “Is it okay if I stay?”
She nodded.
With Christmas carols playing softly in the background, we decorated the tree together. I lifted Lucas so he could reach the higher branches, steadying him while he carefully placed ornaments, moving them again and again until he was satisfied.
The whole thing felt… domestic. Natural. Like something I wasn’t supposed to want as badly as I did.
Later, we went to the mall to buy gifts. For everyone. Including my family.
At the register, I handed over my credit card before Nyah could pull hers out. “We’ll just say they’re from both of us.”
The words slipped out easily, but the second I saw her reaction, I knew I’d crossed an invisible line. Her expression tensed, unease flashing across her face.
“Can I please pay for half of it?” she asked.
“Honestly,” I said, shaking my head, “I got it for both of us. It’s not a problem.”
“I know,” she replied, “but I’d feel much better if I covered half.”
I studied her for a moment. This was one of those boundaries she guarded fiercely. I stepped back and let her have it.
The cashier swiped both our cards, and I forced myself not to dwell on how much it had felt like we were stepping into something more.
Back at her place that evening, I was standing nearby when she suddenly swayed in the kitchen. My body reacted before my mind did. I caught her instantly.
“Nyah! Nyah,” I said. “Are you okay?”
She steadied herself too quickly. “Yeah. I’m fine. Just a bit tired from the whole day. That’s all.”
“Really?” I asked. “Is that what happened this morning as well?” I hesitated, then added, “Lucas is worried about you. He called me. Can we go to the doctor and get you checked out?”
“No,” she said immediately. “Honestly, I’m fine. Just the stress of work and planning everything. I am totally fine. If it happens again, I promise I’ll go to the doctor. I just need to rest.”
I searched her face, the way I had learned to do when she said one thing and meant another. “You promise?”
She nodded.
Every instinct in me said something wasn’t right, and the feeling only deepened the longer I looked at her. I was about to ask again if she was really okay when she shifted the conversation before I could press further.
