I hug my pillow to my chest. “What?”

“Can I come in?” Jace questions.

“I guess.”

Truth be told, I should ignore him like he ignored me, but unlike him, I know how much it hurts.

I do, however, turn my head and stick my nose in the air when he walks in. Take that, asshole.

He makes an irritated noise in his throat. “Seriously?”

I don’t warrant him with a response.

His sigh is weary and resigned as he walks around my room, picking up and putting down various objects on my dresser. “I never wanted a sister.”

Jesus. That’s just mean.

I glare at him, and he has the audacity to laugh. “Let me finish.”

“Fine. Unlike you, I’m willing to listen.”

“When Mom told me she was having a girl, I had a full-blown temper tantrum and cried for two days.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted brothers. I didn’t want to deal with a sibling I could never identify with.” He pins me with a look. “But the day Mom placed you in my arms, this intense sense of obligation came over me and I vowed right there and then that I would always protect you.” Scoffing, he shakes his head. “I didn’t know it back then, but God is a comedian because my baby sister turned out to be exactly like me—insanely stubborn and guarded, yet fiercely loyal to those she loves.” He meets my gaze. “Hell, it probably should have been us who were twins instead of Cole and Liam.”

My heart feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest.

I hate fighting with him, but even more than that, I hate knowing I broke his trust and destroyed our bond.

“I never meant to hurt you,” I whisper. “It kills me that I did.”

Hands in his pockets, he nods. “I know.”

I peer up at him. “Are you ever going to forgive me?”

He smirks. “Eventually.”

I throw my pillow at him. “Stubborn ass.”

He throws it back at me. “But just because I’m upset doesn’t mean I love you any less.”

“I love you too, shithead.”

Humor lights his face. “Glad we got that squared away.”

He heads for the door, but I halt him.

As happy as I am that we talked, our conversation still leaves me unsettled and there’s something I really need him to know.

“Jace?”

“Yeah?”

“Stone isn’t his brother.”

The corner of his mouth curls and his stare turns glacial. “What makes you so sure?”

I tell him the truth.

“Because I wouldn’t be with him if he was.”

Chapter 32

“Look at you,” Stone declares as I walk up the stairs to his apartment. “No more crutches.”

“It’s a Christmas miracle.” I do a little twirl when I reach him. “I still have to take it easy, but I’m glad I don’t have to drag them around with me anymore.”

Bending down, Stone kisses my lips. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too.” Palming his cheek, I pull him in for another kiss. “Merry Christmas.”

“You’re the best Christmas present ever,” he murmurs against my lips.

I gesture to the present I’m holding. “In that case, I guess you don’t want this, huh?”

I’m not sure what to make of the expression on his face. “You got me a gift?”

I bop him on the head with the box. “Of course, I did, silly.” Placing it in his hands, I utter, “Open it.”

“Right now?”

“Yes,” I all but squeal.

I can’t wait to see his face when he unwraps the autographed DVD of Bourne Identity.

“Holy shit.” His eyes widen. “Is that Matt Damon’s signature?”

I point to the other autograph next to it. “And the director’s.”

He wraps me up in a hug so tight it steals all the air from my lungs. “You’re amazing, you know that?” His voice drops a fraction. “I feel shitty about not getting you anything now.”

Well, this is awkward. Not because I’m upset that he didn’t get me a gift—truth be told I never expected him to given his financial situation and all—but I know how Stone is and I don’t want him to beat himself up about it.

“It’s totally okay—” I start to say, but he cuts me off.

“I’m kidding, Bourne.” He pulls a small box out of his pocket and hands it to me. “Of course I got you something.”

“Can I open it here?”

“Yeah.”

I break out in a grin as I tear open the gift wrapping…until I see what’s inside.

A million different feelings hit me as I stare down at the Saint Christopher pendant on a silver chain.

“This is…” My breath stalls in my lungs. “I can’t believe you did this.”

He brushes my cheek with his thumb. “I know how much it meant to you and how upset you were when you realized it was gone.”

I wasn’t upset…I was utterly devastated.

It was as if my soul had been obliterated because I lost such a special piece of Liam.

My heartbeat kicks into high gear, a stampede of emotions pulling at my chest.

It’s so thoughtful…so beautiful.

“I know it’s not the same one Liam got you—”

“I love you,” I whisper, my heart taking up residence in my throat.

The accident was an awful, horrible thing…but something good came out of it.

Him.

My eyes fill with tears as I peer up at him. “I really love you.”

So much so I can’t imagine ever not loving him.

His eyes crinkle at the corners as he fastens it around my neck. “I love you, too.”

The kiss he gives me makes my toes curl and my heart soar.

“How did your attempt at dinner go?” I question as we pull apart.

He winces. “Well, that depends.”

“On?”

“If you like your turkey well done or not.”

Oh, boy.

A laugh bubbles out of my chest as we head for the door of his apartment. “Don’t worry, I’m sure it’s not too bad.”

And if it is? Well, we can always order pizza.

I wait for him to open the door, but he doesn’t.

“What’s wrong?”

He looks down. “I should have told you before you left your house, but I got scared you wouldn’t show, and I really wanted to give you your present.”

The guilt on his face has my heart twisting. “What happened?”

His shoulders slump. “He told us he wasn’t coming, but I guess he changed his mind.”

“Who?”

“Tommy.”

It takes everything in me not to stab the son-of-a-bitch with my fork.

Tommy—who, quite frankly, looks like shit with his glazed-over eyes and disheveled appearance—laughs. “Can’t believe you’re dating a Covington.”

Even his own mother looks annoyed with him. “Tommy, stop being rude to our guest.”

It’s not exactly an olive branch or anything, but I’ll take it.