Outwardly, she didn't react beyond mouthing a silent oh at his words. It was just a stupid New Year's kiss, why did it have to be more than that?

More importantly, why couldn't she manage to convince herself that the twisting feeling in her chest when she heard him say that was just that old familiar panic instead of the sheer want that it so clearly was?

"Well... I'm fine, so... you're safe and sound," she finally said with a smile and a half-hearted shrug.