Page 63 of Starlight Bay

He chuckled, the tiny crease disappearing. “Yeah. That’s a great game face.”

Before I knew it, he’d leaned over into my space, dropping a soft kiss on my lips. My traitorous body melted under his touch, a ripple of desire shooting straight through me.Damn it, Sydney. Keep it together.

I pulled away slightly, even though every fiber of my being screamed not to. “Nick…”

“Figured we needed a warm-up before seeing my family.”

His gorgeous face was still only inches from mine, not helping the palpitating heart situation one little bit. I met hisgaze, biting the corner of my lip, trying to regain a semblance of control.

“Well, thanks for keeping it PG,” I managed to quip, even though other parts of me did not fully agree with this sentiment.

“My mom’s probably watching.” He glanced towards the house.

“Oh. Right.”

Popping the trunk, he jumped out to grab the luggage. I sat back, took a deep breath.

Nick opened my door. “You coming in?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

Grabbing my purse, I followed Nick and the suitcases up the steps.

The front door flew open and there stood Nick’s mom.

“Nick! Sydney! Welcome home!”

She stepped out, embracing first Nick, then me in a tight bear hug. “It’s so good to see you, sweetie.” She smacked a kiss on his cheek, gave my arm a rub. “How have you been? Are you hungry? Can I get you a cup of tea?”

The questions poured out of her as I stood there, mute. Nick waved a hand at me, ushering me into the warm hallway.

A matching garland with twinkling lights lined the banister and to the right was the living room, a silver-and-gold decorated tree the focal point of the room. Beyond the tree stood a brick fireplace, the mantle hung with matching stockings embroidered with names; they’d even hung one for me. This realization caused my heart to squeeze tighter, my stomach queasy with the fraud.Why did Nick put me in this position?

“Sydney, it’s wonderful to see you! You’re more beautiful than ever—I don’t how Nick ever managed to land a lovely girl like you!” She beamed at me, her stylish auburn bob bouncing as she teased her son.

“He’s quite a catch,” I said, smiling over at Nick, who seemed one-thousand percent fine with the charade.

“Well, thank you for saying so. I’ll fix you kids a snack and some tea. You can take your stuff upstairs and get settled in. The guest room is done up for you. I forgot to tell you—Gran’s staying in your old room this week, Nick. You kids can have the other bedroom; it’s fine.” She winked at us and my anxiety ratcheted up, my stomach roiling.

“Thanks, Mom. That’ll be great.” Nick grabbed both suitcases and I followed behind, not wanting to be stuck in the kitchen alone with his mother.

“Nick,” I harsh-whispered as we climbed the stairs. “You didn’t tell me your gran was here too!”

He glanced over his shoulder. “My gran’s here, too.”

“Thanks,” I muttered, climbing the last stair and following him to the end of the hall. We walked into the guest room and I froze in my tracks.

“One bed!”

“Who has two guest beds, Syd? It’s fine.” He shook his head, rolling the suitcases over towards the closet.

“Says the person sleeping on the floor.”

“Whoa.” He stopped, held up his hands. “I am not sleeping on the floor. I am a professional athlete. And I have a bad back.”

“Well, I’m not sleeping on the floor. I’m the guest.”

“That’s why we’re in the ‘guestroom’,” he said, using air quotes.

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