Page 38 of Terms + Conditions
She’s right, just like always. Elizabeth and I don’t have to fall in love, we don’t even have to date, but I can’t let our petty argument get in the way of our contractual agreement. I should’ve pushed harder for her to come today, then the family wouldn’t have been asking so many questions.
“Clean this up, Josh. You can’t afford to lose her,” Mom says. “And get inside to tell everyone bye, you need to get back to Elizabeth.” She offers me her hand and a polite smile before tugging me to her side. She guides me inside without another word, pushing me in the direction of the rest of the family to say goodbye.
When I finally make it back outside after a goodbye that takes thirty minutes longer than it should, I close the door behind me, taking a long, deep breath. Things are only going to get more complicated from here…I can feel it.
The door opens again and I jump two feet ahead as Nick pops outside, closing the door behind him. “You, uh, want me to come along so you’re not outnumbered?”
My brow quirks so high I’m sure it’s almost in my hairline. Nick Davis is offering to come and spend time with Nina Villa willingly…that’s new. Of everyone here, he’s the last person I expected to offer. “Youwant to go with me to Nina’s?”
“I mean…We can all go. Make a thing of it.” Nick crosses his arms over his chest, trying to act nonchalant about this entire conversation. Trying to act like he didn’t just suggest doing the one thing he’s been avoiding since Elizabeth and I got together.
Gut feeling tells me that I’m missing something.
“What is—”
He interrupts me. “No one should be alone on Christmas.”
“You know, it’s weird when you get all sappy.” I try to hide my smirk but fail miserably, even chuckling a little.
Nick rolls his eyes.
“Thanks for the offer, but I don’t think Nin is in the mood for a lot of company right now,” I say. “I’ll send your condolences though.”
“What is that?” Nina asks when she opens the front door. She is still dressed in her pajamas, and her hair sits in a messy bun on top of her head, the same way I left her this morning. She watches in amusement as I haul the armload of leftovers before dropping them on the kitchen island.
“Thanks for the help,” I say, pulling off my jacket and earning a playful eye roll from her. She falls back on the couch next to Elizabeth, and they watch as I sort out the food across the marble countertop. Ham, prime rib, green bean casserole, yams, mac’n’cheese, mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing, cranberries, Brussels sprouts, carrots, asparagus, remnants of a fruit platter, rolls, Christmas tree-shaped pizzas, and a whole pumpkin pie. Honestly, there’s so much, we could probably eat off these for the next few days. “My family refused to let either of you go hungry or feel left out on this holiday.”
Nina jumps up from the couch, finally coming to inspect the spread. “Is that a Christmas tree pizza?” she asks, picking up one of the mini pepperoni pizzas.
“Michaela and my cousin, Alex, have been making those every year since we were kids. It’s not Christmas at the Davis house without them.”
“That’s sweet.”
“Everyone was sad you guys didn’t come, so they said sending food was the next best thing.”
“They would be right.” Nina pops a grape into her mouth and pulls plates from the cabinet. Setting them down, she rushes back down the hallway toward her bedroom, mumbling something that sounds like “be right back.”
“This was sweet,” Elizabeth says, joining me at the island.
“Yeah, well, you know how they are.”
She nods and offers a small smile. “Still, thank you. She’s been…Well, she’s trying to act okay, but this has been hard on her, and I just—I couldn’t leave her.”
“She could’ve come. You both could have.”
“But we both know she wouldn’t.” Elizabeth steps closer, placing her hands gently on my arm and standing on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. “Thank you.”
Being this close to her, I don’t waste the opportunity. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her close, burying my face in her neck. With a deep breath, I inhale the sweet scent of her, before pressing a light kiss to her skin. My lips linger against her skin and I whisper, “I can think of a way you can thank me.”
“Joshua Davis.” Elizabeth puts her hand to her chest in fake shock. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
“Is it working?”
She laughs and pushes me away. “No.”
The sound of someone clearing their throat catches our attention as we separate. Nina stands at the end of the hallway but hasn’t quite stepped into the kitchen. She looks between us. “Do you guys need a moment or…”
Elizabeth rolls her eyes and picks up a plate without saying a word.
