Page 20 of Holly and Nick Hate Christmas
Ryan paused and raised his eyebrows. “That’s odd. Sounds like—”
“Cowabunga!” A boy’s shout was broken off by a crash, followed by an adult shout.
“—my nephew.” Ryan grinned. “I think my sister Olivia is here.”
Nick’s arms slowly fell to his sides. More family? He was still adapting to the ones already here.
Ryan eagerly jogged toward the house, cupping his hands around his mouth as he shouted. “Livs?”
Nick followed at a more hesitant pace. The front door burst open as Ryan rounded the side of the house, and Grace, Thomas, and Lydia piled down the steps. More gracefully than Holly had, which made him smile.
“You came!” Grace rushed to greet the pretty but tired-looking brunette in the driveway, who was sporting sweatpants and a messy bun. Two elementary-aged kids, a girl and a boy, ran actual circles around the front yard, a blur of blue jeans and puffy jackets.
“You say that like you gave me a choice.” Olivia shut the van door with her hip—thankfully she’d blocked in Ryan’s Subaruand not Nick’s truck—and grinned as she hugged her mom. She was broader-framed than Grace but had her same defined cheekbones and gray-blue eyes.
“You always have a choice.” Grace beamed at her.
“Not without a guilt trip,” Olivia stage-whispered to Ryan. “I heard that.” Grace pursed her lips, but her eyes still sparkled. “Now, where’s that husband of yours?”
Olivia hugged Lydia before hoisting her travel bag onto her shoulder. “Unfortunately, Paul can’t come until Christmas—too many meetings.”
“That’s what happens when you’re the head honcho.” Thomas swept Olivia into an embrace, bag and all. “We’ll be glad to see him whenever he can make it.” He snapped his fingers at Ryan. “Hey, grab that luggage for your sister.”
Ryan rolled his eyes as he pushed up his sleeves and complied. He grunted as he slung the bag over his shoulder. “The princess has been here all of thirty seconds and I’m doing her bidding.”
“Some things never change, baby bro.” Olivia shoved loose strands of hair out of her eyes and hollered at her kids, who had started a shoving match. “Janie! Mason! If Santa sees you…”
The threat hung heavy in the air as the kids immediately froze, arms glued to their sides.
“Well, this is half of the Sinclair Fabulous Five, anyway. Holly’s inside.” Ryan shifted Olivia’s bag to his other arm. “Not a bad turnout after all.”
“Yeah, I’m sure Chloe’s much too Gen Z to leave California now. Better ‘vibes’ for her influencer reels.” She huffed. “And Kat—”
“Is rightthere!” Grace squealed and bounced on the balls of her feet like a woman half her age as she pointed to a small SUV coming up the drive. “Oh, this is the best day ever. My ducklings.”
The two grandkids immediately started quacking as they resumed chasing each other around the porch. Nick drew in a tight breath. More family. More people to keep up with.
More people to keep secrets from.
Speaking of—where was Holly? He glanced up at the house, but there was no sign of her. He sort of wished he could hide out in there with her.
“So who’s this guy creepin’?” Olivia nodded toward Nick, making direct eye contact without flinching.
Heat flushed his neck. “I’m Nick. Ryan’s friend.” Best to leave Holly out of it for now. No use in complicating everything further.
Ryan winced. “Sorry, bro. I should have introduced you sooner. It just feels like you’ve always been here.”
It definitely didn’t. Nick tipped his head toward Olivia. “Nice to meet you.” He barely refrained from addingma’amto the end of his sentence. Something about Olivia commanded respect—and a bit of fear.
“You too. I apologize in advance for whatever my children might do to you during your stay with us.” She ducked back inside her minivan and reemerged with a purse and a tote bag overflowing with Pringle cans and candy packages. “Do you have kids, Nick?”
He shook his head, tucking his fingers into his pockets. “No kids.”
“Great. Then you can’t judge me.” Olivia tossed him the bag of treats and winked. “Now, where’s Holly?”
“Inside avoiding Christmas.” Ryan grinned.
Olivia sighed. “My favorite little Grinch.” She cut her eyes to Nick. “Don’t call her that. She doesn’t like it.”
