Page 95 of Holly and Nick Hate Christmas
With one smooth, quick motion, Nick pulled us to the side, near the wall. “He got us here, though, didn’t he?” He smiled down at me—and there was the dimple. My tense shoulders relaxed. All was well.
“I suppose that’s true.” I tilted my head back, hoping Nick would take that as a hint to steal another quick peck.
He did.
“I like this.” Nick, holding both of my gloved hands in his, raised them between us. Another couple skated past, shooting us knowing smiles.
My chest warmed, happiness bubbling inside. “You mean, you like not being Cindy Lou Who’d all over the ice?”
Nick let out an exaggerated shudder as he leaned away. “I can only imagine what Operation: Naughty List would have done to me out here.”
“It’s sad, really, that we’ll never know.” I twisted my lips in a mock pout. “So much wasted opportunity.”
“But now we have other ones.” He leaned back in, eyes dancing as he wiggled his eyebrows. I had a feeling if we hadn’t been in public, I would’ve been kissed again, but good.
Something to look forward to later.
We linked arms and ventured back into the throng of scarfed and mittened skaters. In the safety of Nick’s arms, I tilted my head back and smiled up at the hundreds of stars that seemed to be gliding past me across the black velvet sky. There was a lot to look forward to now—even Christmas.
No matter what Piper said.
What a day. When he’d woken up that morning, Nick sure hadn’t expected the following twelve hours to include a visit to Santa, a punch in the face, a jail cell, an impromptu marching band, and a declaration of feelings with the woman who was quickly becoming everything he never knew he’d missed.
Funny how things worked out.
Breathless, he sat down on the cold metal bench and slipped out of his skates, laughing as Mason and Janie caught Holly by each arm and dragged her back onto the ice. He’d been sent on a hot chocolate errand, and now, thanks to a couple minions, it looked like he had plenty of time to find a hot dog or something. His stomach growled.
“Nick, join me.” From a few rows up the bleachers, Grace patted the bench beside her. “Olivia went to get me a snack. That girl won’t stop feeding me.”
“I bet it’s nice to be doted on, isn’t it?” Still slightly out of breath, Nick slung his skates over his shoulder and climbed the few rows to join her.
Grace gave him a knowing glance as he settled onto the seat next to her. “Thomas told me about your conversation the other night. It was very sweet of you to be concerned.”
Nick set his skates on the bench. “Well, Olivia seemed pretty stressed about it, more than the others. Though she had all her siblings relatively convinced.”
“She’s always had influence over them. Little mama hen.”
“Are you going to set the record straight?”
“Sure.” Grace bumped his shoulder with hers. “After she brings me this next snack, of course.”
Nick laughed. “I always knew you were a smart woman.”
“I don’t get to see my girls nearly enough. It’s hard not to let them spoil me.” Grace shook back her silvery hair. “I’ll have to ease Olivia’s mind, though. Not fair making her worry just because I get lightheaded when I don’t eat on a schedule.”
“I’m sure the holidays make that a lot more difficult.”
Grace nodded. “Not to mention, there’s so much more sugary temptation this time of year.”
Nick held up both hands. “Don’t get me wrong, but that last batch of cookies might’ve been worth fainting for.”
Grace laughed, the sound so like Holly’s it made him smile. “I’ll have to get you the recipe.” She bumped his shoulder again. “Maybe a certain someone could make them for you.”
He followed her gaze to Holly, who seemed to have grown slightly more comfortable on the ice as she held hands with Janie. Though, to be fair, she was using the younger girl’s walker as much as Janie. “Maybe so.”
From the middle of the rink, Mason waved and shouted something up the stands to “Uncle Nick.” Nick’s heart twitched as he waved back. Mason performed a quick double spin, to which Nick gave two big thumbs-up. Mason’s responding grin lit up the ice.
Nick kept an eye on him as he skated. The boy must miss hisdad, the way he was clearly hoping to impress Nick. He had Uncle Ryan, of course. But Mason was obviously getting attached.
