Effortless (Thoughtless, #2)(97)

He swallowed, searching my eyes. “I thought I’d never see anything like that car again…how did you know to get me this?” I shook my head, tears stinging the edges of my eyes. “It just…seemed like you.”

Kellan frowned as he watched my eyes water and fill. “Hey, I didn’t tell you that to make you feel sorry for me.” He cupped my cheek. “I’m okay, Kiera.” I nodded under his fingertips but a tear escaped me anyway. Brushing it aside with his thumb, he smiled at me. “I just wanted to let you know what it meant to me. To…thank you for letting me have this experience with you and your family. It means more than you’ll ever really understand.”

I shook my head. “No, I think I get it.”

I kissed him lightly but my lip was trembling. Knowing I was going to start sobbing for him if I didn’t change my thoughts, I shook my head and inhaled deep. “I could use some eggnog. You?” Kellan smiled peacefully and shook his head. “No, I don’t need anything.”

I nodded, kissed his head, and hurried out of there. He didn’t need or want my pity. He had dealt with his past a long time ago.

Brushing my fingers under my eyes, I ran into my mom in the kitchen.

She smiled as she made another pot of coffee. “Kellan seems to be enjoying himself?”

Yes, more than she’d ever realize. I shook my head, forcing on the effortless smile that Kellan always wore. “Yeah, thank you so much for getting Dad to let him come. I know it was you, and I’m really…” I swallowed, the emotion of his story still with me, “I’m really grateful.” 271



Mom frowned then came over to give me a hug. “Hey, it’s alright. No need to get all blubbery.”

I sighed at myself, hugging her back. “I know.” Releasing her, I rested my head on her shoulder. She patted my arm then glanced down at the ring on my finger. She frowned for a moment and then looked back into the living room at Kellan.

Looking back with her, I could see that Anna had joined him on the couch and was flipping through her calendar with him. They were peering at something intently, Kellan laughing a bit and shaking his head.

Watching the naturally beautiful pair, I sighed. Then I rubbed my ring with my thumb and smiled. He’d chosen me.

“Is that from Kellan?” my mom asked quietly.

I looked back at her and nodded. “Yeah, he got us both promise rings.

Sweet, huh?”

She bit her lip, tilting her head. “Honey, I may disagree with how your father broached the subject, but I don’t entirely disagree with him about Kellan.” She shook her head, watching Kellan and Anna get into a playful wrapping paper fight. “He’s so…attractive, Kiera, even more so in person than his pictures.” Looking back at me, she frowned. “That sort of thing gets noticed by women and attractive men aren’t always good with…one relationship. And even if he doesn’t stray, it takes a special person to be able to handle all of the attention he’ll receive. Are you sure you can be that woman? Are you sure you want to date him?” She looked back at Kellan and my sister, and I suddenly felt like what she was really saying was that Anna, my beautiful, provocative, spontaneous, easy-going sister, was a better match for him. Frowning, I crossed my arms over my chest. “Yes, I’m sure. I know what you guys think of me, but Kellan sees more, he loves me.” Mom took a step back and narrowed her eyes at me. “What are you talking about, Kiera?”





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I stiffened, not really wanting to talk about the constant references that I heard, not wanting to talk about the major differences between Anna and me, differences that had been pointed out to me my entire childhood. Mom squeezed my shoulder when I didn’t answer her. When she repeated her question, I sighed, and muttered, “You know…that Anna’s the beautiful one and I’m…I’m the smart one.” Mom sighed and squeezed me tight. “Oh, Kiera, honey. I hope we never made you feel that way, it was never our intention.” Pulling back, she looked me in the eye. “That’s not what we think. We’re always telling people about both of our beautiful daughters, and they always agree with us. You’re every bit as attractive as your sister, Kiera. I think you’re the only one that doesn’t see it.”

Looking back into the living room, Mom shook her head. “But Anna…relies on her looks. It’s become how she defines herself. Sometimes I worry that her looks are all she’ll have, and when those eventually fade…”

Smiling, she looked over at me and smoothed back my hair. “But you are beautiful and smart, and you’ll do well with whatever life hands you.” She leaned in to place a kiss on my forehead. “Your father and I are both very proud of the woman you’re becoming.” Sighing, she shook her head. “You’re our baby…we don’t want to see you hurt is all.” I smiled, looking back at Kellan. Anna was admiring his ring. He smiled at her and then looked up at me. Tilting his head, he nodded a little, like he was telling me that everything would be okay. As Mom kissed my head and walked back into the living room, I heard Kellan’s jacket ringing. Thinking maybe it was the guys wishing us a Merry Christmas, I walked over and plucked it out of his pocket. It was a text from a number I didn’t recognize; the name just said ‘private.’ I was about to hit the read button when the phone was yanked from my hands.