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“I get that. I know you guys are close. I just …” She shook her head. “I really don’t know. I guess I’m just exhausted and got triggered.”
Seth jerked his chin toward the single bottle with a note on it. “What’s so special about that wine?” He walked over. “Why is it only for an extra special occasion?”
“It’s the year I was born. Mr. E buys one for each of his family. He got one from his father. He and Mrs. E would share a glass from his bottle whenever there was something special to celebrate.” Clary leaned against the shelf. “Why didn’t you tell me that Zane suspects Mr. E was the one who hired Pete?”
“Because I knew it’d upset you.”
“Is it exhausting?”
He put the bottle back in place. “What’s exhausting?”
“That you have to balance things between your brothers and me.” She dropped her gaze. “You already have so much on your plate.” She sighed. “I’m sorry. I said I’d put you first, but I can’t seem to do that.” She laughed once. “I think I may be more spoiled than I realized.”
Seth laughed. “That couldn’t be further from the truth.” He pulled her against him. “Let’s get out of here. Let’s go on a date and get as far away from my brothers as possible.”
“That sounds great.”
She turned and rested her face against his shoulder.
“Do you want to do that after you open your presents?”
“You got me a present?”
He leaned back to frown at her. “Of course I did.”
“You said you guys didn’t exchange gifts.”
“I knew you’d be buying me something.” He shrugged and pulled her back against his shoulder. “Even if you didn’t, I wanted to buy you a gift.”
“So what did you get me?”
“It’s already in your room. It’s best enjoyed at night, though.”
“Huh.” She narrowed her eyes. “I’m curious, but since you said that, I’ll open it tonight.”
He nodded. “Oliver got you a present too.”
“Yeah. He told me.” She tipped her head back and flashed a sheepish smile. “Is it all right that I got him that zombie game? It was one of the bestselling games, but I’m worried it’ll affect his sleep.”
“He already has some zombie games.”
“I know, but not a virtual reality one. People get really immersed in those.”
Seth gave her a peck on the forehead. “He loves your present, and he loves that you mentioned nothing about his sleepwalking in his note.”
It was her turn to frown. “Andrea told you.”
“Thank you, Clary, for everything you’ve done for us this Christmas.”
“For you, Seth. I know you’re happy when your brothers are.”
Seth gave her a peck on the forehead, then looked around the cellar. “There are no windows in here.” He looked up at the single light bulb above them.
Clary looked around. “And?”
“Nothing,” he said. “Let me take a bath and get changed, then we’ll go on our date.”
CHAPTER 10
