Chapter 2
CELINE
Iknew it was a bad idea. But when Julian finally admitted that Damian was alone for Christmas—hating every second—something in me tightened. The image of him sitting there by himself wouldn’t leave me alone. I couldn’t just do nothing.
Mom once called me a Christmas elf. Most people would take offense—me? I practically requested the title.
But it didn’t go how I planned. His cut is healing well, a crescent moon on his cheek, fading but noticeable. Somehow the scar only makes him look rougher… meaner… annoyingly hotter. And he’d answered the door in a sweat-soaked shirt, muscles on full, accidental display.
And when he told me about his parents… the sound he made wasn’t a voice. It was a wound speaking.
I know I should let this go. I’ve been very good at letting things go for most of my life. But something about seeing my brother’s best friend covered in blood–getting even a sliver of a look into the world I’ve avoided my whole life—shook something awake in me.
Plus, well… everyone deserves to enjoy Christmas.
Two days later, and I still can’t get him out of my head. Not him, but his house. The outside pretends to be a ruin, while the inside is all sleek, expensive, icy perfection.
I can’t stop wondering who shot him. Who cut his face? Whether he’s in hiding. He’d acted like someone was watching the street that day—like he needed me inside before the world saw I was there.
I try to stop thinking about it. I lie awake one night, sleep refusing to come, thinking of Damian with his shirt stuck to him and an entire universe of rage behind his eyes.
Maybe that’s why I’m doing this.
Hamper hugged to my hip, I approach his ramshackle—a word that feels invented just for him—house and press the doorbell.
He answers after one ring this time. He’s wearing a sleeveless gym shirt, all carved arms and flexing muscle, the faint bullet scar still angry on his skin.
“You again,” he grunts, his expression unreadable.
Do I notice the corner of his mouth twitch? Did I just see a hint of a smile?
He turns and walks inside without a word, leaving the door open. Technically, I could leave. But of course, I follow. I set the hamper down and shut the door behind me.
He leans against the wall, bare foot tapping, gaze locked on me like heat meant to burn.
“You work out a lot,” I murmur—and immediately want to eat my tongue.
He looks at me like I’m some na?ve kid for stating the obvious.
“You brought the hamper,” he comments.
“You’re very perceptive.”
There it is again—that almost-smile he fights like smiling is a sin he can’t afford.
“Why, Celine?” he asks, and something in his tone smacks me right in the ego.
Because I’m curious, even when I shouldn’t be. Because I enjoy coaxing an almost-smile out of you. Because I’m tired of pretending, I don’t see the shadows you and Julian walk in. And because I’m not brave enough to ask my brother to tell me the truth.
“Because…” I hesitate. “Everyone deserves to enjoy Christmas. I know you’ve had a hard time. I’m not saying I can snap my fingers and magically make it better. But maybe if you saw your house decorated, it might help.”
“Help,” he echoes, flat and skeptical.
“To heal the past. I can’t wave a magic wand, but I’m an Olympic-level decorator. I can handle it. No trouble.”
He studies me. “Is this an act?”
“Excuse me?”
“This bright-eyed, positive, optimistic thing. Is it an act?”
“Maybe I don’t see the benefit in being miserable all the time.”
“And maybe misery is easier for some people than happiness.”
“Well, maybe I don’t believe in taking the easy option.”
This time it’s real. His lip twitches upward. His eyes spark—just for a second. “If you’re determined to do this, then I won’t stop you. But I am not helping.”
“Fair enough,” I mutter.
He shrugs and opens the large door that separates the rest of the house. “Go nuts. I’ll be in the gym.”
“Where you live, apparently.”
He lets out a sound—almost a laugh—before killing it immediately like he regrets letting it escape. I watch the broad, muscular landscape of his back far longer than I should.
Picking up the hamper, I walk into the corridor.
It’s like something out of a reality show. The Real Grump of the East Coast. New carpet. Fresh paint. Fake firelight built into the wall. I peek into the living room and find polished hardwood, spotless shelves, and a massive TV.
He clearly cares about his home. He must’ve spent a fortune making this place look so appealing.
And yet he allows the rest of the street to think this is some hellhole.
He doesn’t care about being an eyesore. The kitchen is a glossy marble dream, the frosted windows framing a garden just as wild as the front.
I set the hamper down by a stove that probably costs more than my rent and start sorting decorations, ignoring the voice whispering I’m here because Damian intrigues me more than he should.
And yes, he’s hot. Let’s not pretend otherwise. His grumpiness is unfairly attractive. Every almost-smile feels like winning a prize I wasn’t supposed to enter to begin with.
I chew my lip and stuff that thought deep, deep down.
What am I even doing here?
No, I know why I’m here. Damian is hurting. He’s lonely. And even if I don’t ask questions—about him, about Julian, about myself—anyone can see he’s drowning in something heavy.
Rolling up my sleeves, I get to work.
The living room gets streamers, fairy lights, and snow globes. The bare shelves warm up instantly. I flick the lights on and admire the transformation.
Where next?
I wander through the house, poking my head in spare bedrooms, the downstairs bathroom, then…
Whoa.
I stop in my tracks.
This is beautiful.
A library. A full, breathtaking library. Tall ceiling. Skylight. Floor-to-ceiling shelves bursting with books.
On the desk sits a copy of Moby-Dick, stuffed with enough sticky notes to make the spine bulge.
I set the hamper down and walk across the room.
Does someone else live here?
I cannot imagine Damian—all muscle and scowl—sitting here with a book, annotating like a college professor.
I pick up the novel—
Someone clears their throat behind me.
Startled, I spin, the book slipping from my fingers.
It’s Damian.
Standing far too close.
And someone of his size shouldn’t be able to move that quietly.