Page 68 of Starlight Bay

“Great choices, Sydney. I’m sure they’ll love these gifts.” Willow finished tying the baskets with shiny gold ribbon. “Are you guys going to the Ugly Sweater party tomorrow night?”

“We’ll be there,” Nick said, nodding.

“Super. I’ll see you there then.”

I handed over my credit card, shooting Nick a dirty look when Willow wasn’t looking.

“Here you go, Sydney.”

“Thanks.”

“Listen, Willow, we’re keeping things real quiet right now.” Nick gestured between the two of us.

Willow nodded, a solemn look on her face. “Gotcha. My lips are sealed.” She traced an imaginary line over her mouth and winked. “See you tomorrow.”

“See ya.”

Nick scooped up the oversized shopping bag in one hand, looping his other hand around my waist. As we walked out of the store, he leaned over, “How was that?”

“That part was fine. But what the hell is this Ugly Sweater party? And why didn’t you tell me about it?” A hot bolt of fresh panic raced through me as I mentally reviewed my wardrobe, coming up blank. “I didn’t bring anything with me.”

“No prob. I’m sure my mom has something you could wear.”

I cut my eyes at him. “Really? Your mother?”

“What? You guys are about the same height.”

I smacked my forehead for full effect. “No, Nick, I don’t want to borrow a sweater from your mom!”

“Oh, I know. I bet you could borrow something from Jackson’s girlfriend.”

“Cool. A total stranger.”

“Dude. I’m out of ideas. We’re in Starlight Bay. There’s nowhere to get an ugly sweater here. C’mon, just borrow one from Harper.”

I sighed. “You’ve basically left me no choice.”

“You’re such a team player—I love that about you.”

“Be glad I’ve had years of crisis management practice, Milton.”

He smiled, his adorable dimple erasing a smidgeon of my annoyance. “Just one of your amazing attributes. I’ll text Jackson and see what we can figure out.”

I rolled my eyes, but went along with the plan. I loved his mom, but I really didn’t want to have to borrow her clothes.

CHAPTER 6

SYDNEY

Nick touched base with his friend Jackson, but he and Harper were at a job site, doing demo and filming for their home renovation show. Harper said she had something that could work for me, though, and they promised to drop it off before tomorrow night. I still wasn’t one hundred percent relieved, but it was as good a plan as any.

Nick and I had lunch and shopped the rest of the afternoon. Now we were back at the Milton house with just enough time to clean up and change for dinner.

“Do you want the first shower?” I asked Nick, unzipping my boots.

“I’ll let you go first, you take longer to get ready. Unless you want to shower together. You know, to save water.” He gave me a cheeky grin and I shook my head.

“Nice try, Milton. But even ifthisthing was real,” I waved my finger between us, “I’d feel weird showering together at your parents’ house.”

---