“Biker gear is expensive.” Diego shrugs. “Why not get me a book like everybody else?”

“No, you’re my boyfriend. I need to buy you something different, something special. You know a good biker gear shop?”

“There’s one closer to your apartment; we can stop there on the way home.”

“All right.”

“We can go after buying my present for you. Have you decided what I’m getting you yet?”

I chew my lower lip. “I don’t know.”

Diego raises his brows. “A woman who can’t choose her present. Impossible!”

“The best thing would be to get me a book. Or a cat. But I can’t do the cat until Blair moves out, and it needs to be something showier than a book to impress my family.”

“Remember, I’m a struggling artist.” Diego grins.

“That’s why we have to find a nice, thoughtful, but inexpensive gift.” I stare at the shopping windows surrounding us, kind of lost. “See the problem now?”

Just as the words leave my lips, we pass in front of a jewelry shop, and I’m captivated by a glass cube showcasing three rings, identical but for the color: one in silver, one in gold, and the last one in rose gold. The design is simple: plain gold bands, but… with ears!

“See something you like?” Diego asks.

I smile, pushing the shop’s door open. “How about a cat ring?”

A girl in a bright-red suit hurries up to us, making me wonder if she’s wearing a special holiday suit or if they go ’round all year long wearing that almost blinding shade of red.

“Hello, how may I help you today?” She has a chirpy, honey-like voice, which fits the festive-bonanza décor of the shop perfectly.

“We’re here to buy a ring,” I say.

“A ring, how wonderful.” She twinkles at me. “Christmas present?” Her big, it’s-that-time-of-the-year, sparkly eyes set on Diego next.

Err… She thinks we’re a real couple Christmas shopping. Well, why wouldn’t she?

I glance at Diego for help—but he’s staring around the shop, completely unaware. And there’s no way I’m launching into the whole story of how Diego is only a for-hire boyfriend in front of a bunch of strangers—there are three shop assistants in total, all in eye-sore red.

“Yeah.” I smile awkwardly. “It’s a gift, I mean, sort of—”

“That’s wonderful! I’m Evelyn, and I’ll be happy to assist you today,” Evelyn chirps. “Did you already have something specific in mind?”

“Yes,” I say. “The cat rings by the windows.”

“Oh.” Another one of the girls in red sighs. “They’re so cute, aren’t they?”

“Goodness.” Evelyn takes my arm, steering me toward the showcase window, and leans in, lowering her voice to speak in a girl-to-girl tone. “The girls and I have a little contest every holiday season to find the cutest couple, and you’ve just knocked all competition out of the park! He’s quite the catch. Lucky you!”

I should be proud of the admiration Diego is inspiring. After all, I’ve hired him to make sure my whole family shuts the hell up about my singlehood for one Christmas. But this is actually painful. What do I say?