I must have fallen asleep in the back seat at some point. The last thing I remembered was the city lights blurring past the window as Mateo drove, one hand on the wheel and the other resting on my knee. When I woke up, the car was parked somewhere quiet, and the sky outside had that soft, early-morning Christmas glow.

Mateo was standing just outside the car, leaning against the hood with his hands in his pockets, staring at the horizon. I slipped out quietly.

He turned the moment he heard me. A slow, beautiful smile spread across his face.

"Merry Christmas, baby," he said softly.

I laughed as he...