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I shifted around in the seat and readjustedbeast that seemed to lately want to wave her henever she caood-looking I am,” I joked

She groaned “I was just trying to be nice because I knowforehead You’re gorgeous in an odd kind of way Like yeah, your earlobes hang low, and your torso is too long for words And sure, your lips are deflated pancakes, but hey, at least you got your nose” She tilted her head and stared at me “Oh, wait That’s crooked, too”

I laughed “Are you sassing me, Mrs Blackstone?”

“Maybe a little, Mr Blackstone”

I was falling for this side of her

I was falling for the way she mocked me

I was falling for the way she oofy faces

I was falling for… her

The car jerked forward one hter filled the air

Just like that, I was hers, and she didn’t even know it

“Can we spend Christ lesson Christ about California felt very Christmas-y I was used to filthy snow by this ti you out as you walked down the streets of New York

“Are you a Christ the answer

Stella’s eyes lit up as she nodded aggressively “I airl Times a million I hired people to co o sledding up north Or go see the Christhts or—”

“Watch The Holiday, Love Actually, or Four Christ hot cocoa?” I asked

Her jaw dropped open as she pointed a finger at me “How do you know those movies?”

“I ht have searched out Christ that you already loved Christot us tickets to see The Nutcracker”

“How did you know I loved Christmas?”

“I just study you, that’s all I see how you react to things in public and ht enjoy”

Her hands fell against her chest as she shook her head in disbelief “My hard hummus”

I cocked an eyebrow “Excuse me?”

“Nothing It’s nothing I just…” She was crying, but it was okay I’d learned early on that she shared her ee to make her cry happy tears And a heartbreak to h, which lad

I’d also learned to carry tissues in irl

My gentle girl?