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“We’re going into the city. You need to blend in.”

She looks personally offended by what just came out of my mouth.“I don’t wear sneakers.”

“Tonight, you do.”

“They’re ugly.”

I glance down at them.

“I’ve never heard anyone bully footwear before.”

“You have now.”

I laugh.

She folds her arms. “I’m not wearing them, Stephen.”

“Princess.”

“No.”

“Baby.”

She blinks and then looks away.

I bite my lip and lean closer. “That one affects you.”

“It does not.”

“You looked away.”

“Because you’re boring me.”

“Sure, sweetheart.”

She glares at me, but there’s pink creeping up her neck now, and I have to resist the urge to kiss every inch of her face. Instead, I tuck a loose strand of white hair behind her ear and she lets me.

“Fine,” I murmur. “I have a better idea.”

Her eyes narrow suspiciously.

“What?”

I kiss her.

Softly, at first. Just a gentle brush of my lips against hers, enough to steal the next insult or remark from her mouth.

And when she leans into me, I smile against her lips.

I kiss her once more, slower this time, until the cold air and the sneakers all disappear.

When we pull apart, I rest my forehead against hers.

“Please wear them, baby?”

She studies me, her expression caught somewhere between suspicion and what she feels for me.

“Where we’re going…it shaped me,” I continue, brushing my thumb over her cheek, “I want you to get to know me, too.