Her hand digs into her purse and she pulls out her phone. “Should I text Bethaney and tell her that I can no longer do the party?” She arches an eyebrow.

I blow out a breath and groan. “Couldn’t you have eased me into all this holiday crap? Like maybe we just look at that big tree everyone is so enamored with?”

Her mouth drops open and she walks over to me. “I am starting off easy. I’m not even asking you to participate. You literally just have to sit there and observe. And just so you know, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree doesn’t get lit until after Thanksgiving.”

This sounds like a special sort of torture, but I did make a deal with her and I’m not someone who goes back on his word. Hence why I haven’t told her of her brother’s plans to pop the question to Zahra on Thanksgiving. I haven’t even told her I’ll be there because I know it will only make her question why when I’ve never been to their holidays before, and I don’t get the impression that Kenzie is someone who gives up easily when there’s something she wants to get to the bottom of. No, I gather she’s more like a bloodhound following the scent of a trail.

“I’m texting her now.” She poises her phone with her thumbs on the screen.

I reach over and lower it. Both our hands are half-frozen, but there’s no denying the warmth that travels up my arm from our point of contact. Except I do deny it, because this is Finn’s baby sister, and he doesn’t even know that we know each other.

“You win. I’ll smack on a smile, but no promises of really enjoying myself.” I point at her and she smiles.

“I’ll take it.”

I nod, and we continue walking and join the end of the line waiting to get into the iconic theater. In all the years I’ve lived in Manhattan, I’ve never attended anything here.

A giant Christmas tree on top of the marquee is lit up as though it’s a lighthouse that alien spacecraft can probably see from space.

When we finally make our way inside, I have to admit, I’m impressed by the art deco architecture and decor.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Kenzie’s gaze is skyward, and the wonder and awe on her face remind me of what a child’s might hold on Christmas when they first see the presents under the tree and believe Santa brought them.

“Definitely impressive.”