Page 120 of Holly and Nick Hate Christmas
She took a tentative step in his direction, her gaze self-consciously lowering and then darting around the barn. No doubt taking in the table laden with classic childhood snacks like juice boxes, Fruit Roll-Ups, and Dunkaroos (and of course, coffee) against the back wall. The giant poster of Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Candy Land, Twister, and other classic board games stacked and ready to play on a rolled-out rubber mat—all of which had been available at the twenty-four-hour superstore near his house. That poor elderly clerk working bored on Christmas Eve said he made her night.
Nick waited semi-patiently, not wanting to rush Holly. Not wanting to be rejected.
She stopped a foot away, so close and yet so far.
“I wasn’t ignoring you.” He cleared his throat, his voice sounding abnormally loud in the quiet space. “My phone died, and I left my charger. Then by the time I got it powered up, I was on my way here, and I wanted to surprise you.”
She nodded slowly. “I just have one question.”
Nerves flooded his stomach, and he shifted his weight. “Shoot, birthday girl.”
She wet her lips, eyes studying his, with what seemed to be more like a dozen questions lingering in their depths. “Was any of it real?”
“Holly.” Nick’s heart ached that she still wasn’t sure. “Don’t you get it by now? It wasallreal.”
Fresh tears glossed her eyes, hope swimming in their depths.
He offered a helpless shrug. “You had me wanting to buy you a real love fern from the minute I saw you.”
She snort-laughed at that, hugging herself with both arms.
“Okay, so maybe it took a minute after the whole Christmas booby-trapping of my door.” He held her gaze. “Butonlya minute. By the time we got to the ugly sweaters, I was having a blast. I was…falling for you.” He shook his head. “One glitter-glued pom-pom at a time.”
“But I was awful to you yesterday.” She worried her bottom lip. “I’m sorry I didn’t give you a chance to explain.”
“I should have tried harder.” Man, she needed a hug. “Or at least, I should have stayed so I could have tried again.” He took a breath and risked holding out his arms to her.
She stepped into them immediately, and the gentle weight of her head against his chest lifted a thousand pounds from his shoulders. Nick hugged her tight, breathing in her vanilla scent and red curls.
What a gift.
“Your new sweater is missing a hideous sequined cat, but you still look pretty.”
She chuckled against his chest, raised her head to meet his gaze. A soft smile settled over her face. “Thank you—for all of this. It means a lot.”
“Youmean a lot.” He swallowed. “To me.”
She nestled back into his arms. “You do remember we live three hours apart, right?”
“Ah. Details.” He scoffed.
“I suppose seeing how I don’t have a job and can’t afford my apartment anymore, the long-distance element could change.”
He pressed his lips against the top of her head. “What I’m hearing is you’re open to moving? Because I happen to know this guy starting a nonprofit. Seems like he could use someone in his corner—someone really good at organizing schemes and thinking outside the box—to help him get fundraising and grants.”
“Weird.” Holly pulled back to look at him, her green eyes sparkling. “I happen to know a girl who seems totally free to do that.”
Hope knocked. Joy flooded. “The pay isn’t great, but it comes with some perks.” Nick adjusted his grip on her, fighting the urge to look up at the telltale greenery overhead.
Not yet.
“Perks, huh?” She tilted her head, snaking her arms up around his neck. Electricity shot down his leg. “I like snacks.”
Look up, look up.He nodded, trying to appear unaffected. Trying not to snatch the mistletoe from the rafter and drape it on top of her head. “Snacks can be arranged.”
“I like kisses too.” Her voice dropped to a whisper and chills cascaded down his back.
Finally.“Those can also be arranged.” He gestured upward with his eyes.
