Page 80 of The Runaway Bride of Blitzen Bay (Blitzen Bay)

“With Noelle’s dress, you look very couple-y.” Izzy does a quick scan of us.

Nash shakes his head. “Iz, quit trying to dig.”

“I’m just saying.” Izzy looks at Sam. “Sammy, can I play in Holly’s jewelry a little before dinner?”

“Of course, dear.” Sam smiles at her. “You know where it is.”

Izzy grabs my hand. “Noelle, come with me. I want to show it to you.”

Nash puts his arms around my waist and pulls back on me. “She’s not going anywhere with you, nosy.”

Izzy holds my hand firmly. “I believe Miss Noelle owes me something and it’s time to collect.”

“I know about your little deal with her,” Nash says, “and she doesn’t have to answer any questions for you.”

“Nash, it’s fine,” I say, moving his arms from around me. I smile back at him as I let Izzy pull me away.

“Five minutes and then I’m coming to rescue you. What do you want to drink?”

“Red wine, please,” I say as we disappear around the corner.

Izzy pulls me into a woman’s dressing room. It looks like Sam hasn’t touched it since Holly died. There’s still a table filled with perfumes and lotions. Izzy takes a jewelry box out of the closet and sits down on the bright pink tufted couch.

“Noelle, come and sit next to me,” she says, patting the couch cushion. “I think you owe me something.”

I laugh as I sit down next to her. “I do. Ask away, girl. Any question is fine.”

“What are your intentions for Nash?”

Her unyielding tone makes me jump a little bit.

“My intentions?” I’m trying to stall because I know I don’t have an answer.

“Yes, Noelle, your intentions. I would have to be blind not to pick up on the chemistry between you two, but as much as I like you, I love him and I don’t want him to get hurt. He’s obviously crazy about you, but I’m guessing you’re not in a place to return that right now.”

“Uh,” I say, hesitating. “I told you I would be honest, so my answer is that I don’t know. I’m sorry I can’t give you more but that’s the truth. I really don’t know.”

She pats my hand. “I know you’re being honest and I appreciate that, but your answer makes me worry about him even more. I don’t want him to get hurt. I don’t want either of you to get hurt. Maybe just cool it since you’re leaving tomorrow.”

I take a deep breath as Nash walks into the room.

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