Page 37 of Big Nick Energy

“It’s nice to meet you, Nick. I’m Val.”

“Val.” He smiled, shaking her hand softly before dropping it.

“Well.” She cleared her throat. “I should go look for my other kids. How about you two come over for Christmas Eve? Spend it with us, so we get to know each other.” Nick looked at me, and when I smiled, his eyes did, too. Almost like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders as well.

“We’d like that. What can I bring?”

“How about a keg?”

“Mom!” I scolded, and she simply laughed.

“I’m kidding.” She rolled her eyes before turning toward my man. “Heads-up, she sometimes doesn’t have a great sense of humor.”

“Mom!”

“I’m kidding!” She winked at me. “How about a bottle of wine and a dessert? I got the rest.”

“You got it,” he agreed, and with that, she hugged me and waved goodbye to Nick then went out to look for my sister, brother, and best friend.

The moment she was gone, Nick tucked me into his side and hugged me tight.

“You okay?” he asked quietly, obviously still concerned about the conversation that had gone down with my mom.

“Yeah, I’m very okay. You?” I asked, pulling back so I could look at his light brown eyes.

“Everything’s good. Noah just asked if he could please not have to call you mom.”

“Eww.” I scrunched my face, and the two of us broke out into laughter. “He has nothing to worry about there.”

“Good. We’re good.”

“Yeah, we are.” I sighed happily. His hand wrapped around mine as we started to walk. He held me around the waist, resting his face at the crook of my neck and on my shoulder as we looked on when the big Christmas tree went from dark to sparkling, lit up with soft blue lights and adorned with oversized gold ornaments.

From afar, I spotted Libby with my brother. Her phone was set on us, and I knew she had snapped a picture. One I couldn’t wait to get her to send me so I could print it out and surprise Nick with. I turned to look at him, and his eyes were already on mine.

“Ready to get something to eat?” he asked. I nodded then shook my head. His brows rose dangerously close to his hairline.

“Did you know that your truck has tinted windows?” I asked.

“Yeah, I’m aware.” His voice was laced with curiosity. I bit my lip, and his gaze darkened before I lost sight of him. “Is myprincess feeling greedy?” he whispered against my neck, and my body shivered before I answered with a strangled yes.

“Have you ever made out in the backseat of a truck?” I shook my head.

“Sounds to me like a good time for another first, no?”

“Very,” I whispered, and my heart felt like it was going to burst from my chest with how overflowing with love it was. Before we reached the parking lot, I slowed, and he looked back, slowing down his own steps.

“What is it? Change your mind?” I shook my head and licked my lips. My mouth was suddenly dry.

It was crazy to me how quickly life could turn and change.

I’d known from my own family history that anything was possible, but usually, I’d seen the sad side of life. Loss and death. This felt new. New and shiny. Full of endless, limitless possibilities.

“I love you.” The words tumbled past my lips, and his eyes darkened before he picked me up and my legs wrapped around his waist. I had never been happier about wearing a long dress than in that moment.

“Say that again,” he demanded.

“I love you, Nick,” I repeated easily. I wasn’t scared to tell him how I felt. No matter what, I knew I was safe with Nick.

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