The day after Thanksgiving, Aaron lovingly watched Keeley, nestled under a blanket on his couch, her knees drawn to her chest as she watched the Dancing with the Stars season finale. He suppressed his anger toward Ryan to fully enjoy her presence.

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He hadn't yet confronted Cameron and Aiden—two traitors who’d kept secrets from him. Cameron was oblivious, and Aiden's mother had confiscated his phone, ostensibly to keep him focused on family.

Maintaining his composure was difficult, but he wouldn't jeopardize their progress by making accusations. He needed more information.

During a commercial break, as Keeley fast-forwarded, he gauged their situation. "What's your schedule like for the next few weeks?"

Keeley sighed, leaning back against the couch. "Today's my last day of relaxation this semester. After that, it's papers, lab work, and finals. It's awful because I'll probably have to bake most of my Christmas treats a few days before Christmas instead of spreading it out."

His ears perked up at "Christmas treats." He remembered the delicious ones he'd pilfered from Aiden last year. "What are you making?"

"Sugar cookies, snickersnaps (gingersnap/snickerdoodle hybrids—my favorite!), mint brownies, M&M cookies with sprinkles, and white chocolate-covered pretzels, if I have time."

That was far more than she'd ever baked when they were together—back then, it was just sugar cookies.

"That's a lot of baking."

"They're all my mom's recipes; I'm keeping them alive for my dad. He misses her a lot this time of year," she said wistfully.

Aaron understood the pain of missing a wife. Even now, with her alive and seeing her semi-regularly, he still missed his wife; things weren't the same.

"Do you need any help?"

She looked at him as if he'd grown a second head. "Have you ever baked anything in your life?"

"No," he admitted. "But there must be something I can do that doesn't require skill."

"I'll get back to you on that," she said, resuming the show.

She watched with increasing anxiety as the winner was announced. When her favorite was revealed, she jumped, pumping her fist and squealing, "Yes!" repeatedly.

Aaron was amused. "I take it your favorite won?"

Keeley smiled sheepishly. "Yeah. I'd never heard of him before, but I love his dance partner. She's one of the best on the show."

"That's good. Are you hungry?"

"No, I stuffed myself on leftovers this morning. I'm tired though; I should probably go home before I fall asleep on you again."

He almost begged her to stay, but he restrained himself. She'd be freaked out. Today was already a victory.

"Sure, let me get your keys."

In the car, Aaron asked when he could bring her food while she was studying. He refused to go a month without seeing her. Daily food deliveries seemed the best solution.

She smiled, a hint of something unreadable in her expression. "You're dead set on spoiling me, aren't you?"

"Yes," he stated shamelessly. Spoiling her was the only way she'd stop being stubborn and be with him again. It was working!

Keeley shook her head. "You're ridiculous! You're the vice president of a major corporation, acting like my personal errand boy."

"Being your errand boy is fun."

She raised an eyebrow. "You're nuts. But if you insist, I'll be in the lab from 3 to 8 PM every day until the week before finals."

"Good to know, thanks."

Silence fell before she spoke again. "Why are you like this?"

This again.

"I told you; I want to be nice. You're my favorite person. You'd have to be pretty stupid not to be nice to your favorite person," he added with cruel irony, remembering his past stupidity.

"Yeah, you would," she agreed, still conflicted. "But how did you decide I was your favorite person?"

After much pushing, dragging, begging, and persistence, Keeley was the only one who'd stuck with him, even when he was cold. She'd chipped away at his heart until she filled it. He couldn't explain; he shrugged.

"I just did."

A faint sigh escaped her lips. He couldn't tell her the truth; she wouldn't believe him.

"Does it matter how the conclusion was reached, as long as it got there?" he asked.

"It does when you don't understand a concept."

"What's not to understand? You're a great person, and I enjoy your company. End of story," he said simply.

She sighed again as they reached her building. "I will never understand you, Aaron Hale. Probably see you Monday, since you're literally everywhere."

Keeley climbed out, waved, and disappeared inside.

If she said she'd never understand him did that mean she wanted to? Aaron drove home with a slight smile.