Page 78 of The Runaway Bride of Blitzen Bay (Blitzen Bay)

Chapter Thirty-Four

NOELLE

December 25

Blitzen Bay, California

“Wow,” Nash says as I walk down the stairs. “You look gorgeous.”

Kit brought some clothes from my apartment including a deep red, knit wrap dress with a plunging neckline. She always seems to know what I need. I thought it might be a little too much for tonight, but from the look on Nash’s face, I think I nailed it.

“Thanks.” I stop on the last step and smile at him as he walks over to me. “You look gorgeous, too.”

He’s wearing jeans with a slightly fitted, gray pullover. The sweater outlines his chest muscles perfectly. I’m trying very unsuccessfully to stop staring at them.

He smiles. “I look gorgeous, huh? I think that’s the first time anyone has ever told me that.”

“Well, they obviously weren’t looking at you clearly.”

He offers me his hand as I walk down the last step.

“I’m not nearly as festive as you,” he says, looking down at my dress. “I don’t have any red in my wardrobe.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m your date then,” I say, pulling a Santa hat out of my bag. “I bought it at the store yesterday.”

“Really?” He raises his eyebrows. “And how did you buy anything when I still have your credit card?”

“Someone better keep an eye on his wallet.” I tilt my head and smile.

“Very sneaky,” he says. He looks down at the Santa hat. “You know, my first instinct is to say no, but I think I might look good in that.”

He takes the hat and adjusts it on his head—flipping the pom-pom to the back. “What do you think?”

“It’s perfect. You’ll be the most festive person there.”

“Hmm,” he says, shaking his head. The pom-pom slaps him in the face. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”

I sit down on the bench at the front door and grab my snow boots.

“I’m not sure these boots vibe with the dress.”

He kneels and takes them from me. “I think they look perfect. Here, I’ll tie them for you.”

“If you keep doing this, I’m going to forget how to put on my shoes. You’re spoiling me.”

“That’s the idea.” He looks up for a second and smiles at me.

I lean back on the wall and look at him—down on his knees in front of me. It almost looks like he’s proposing. A tingling sensation shoots through my body. I take a deep breath.

“You okay?” he says as he finishes tying the laces.

“Yeah, not sure where I went there,” I say as he grabs my coat off the rack. When he gets it on me, he reaches under my hair and pulls it out of the coat. It makes me tingle again. I turn around quickly and try to zip my coat up. My hands aren’t working.

“I’ll get it.” He zips it up to my chin and lets his hands linger on my shoulders for a second. “What’s wrong?”

I look up at him. “I’m trying to envision Steve doing this.”

He takes a quick step closer to me, so our bodies are just touching.

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