"Well, I wasn't going to be the first one to bring the word 'whining' into this conversation. I do have some self-preservation skills."

Shep kisses her lightly. "You're welcome. People oughtn't sign up for optional stuff like that if they aren't going to follow through. It wasn't your fault. I was a little annoyed after a while when I didn't get anything either, but my Santa finally kicked it into gear. It wasn't your fault you got a bum."

"And yeah, I got you the dress. I told you I'd pay you back for it somehow. Me being stupid shouldn't equal you out a very pretty, and probably very expensive dress. And this way you couldn't tell me no. But the roses weren't from me. Have fun figuring that one out."

He smiles hoping the mystery will derail her off the dress thing.