Page 98 of Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist

She dropped back onto her heels and wiped at her cheeks. “Ugh, why do I keep crying every time I see you?”

“I don’t know, but stop it. I’m starting to get a complex.”

“Funny.” Noel made a face that said she did not in fact think it was funny. “When I left Gabby’s parents’ house, I took the favor supplies with me so I could finish them and bring them back as an apology. The issue is, she’s expecting a hundred guests and I have to work tonight. It’s going to take me days to finish and as far as grand apologies go, they should really be made sooner rather than later.”

“What is she doing with the M&M’s?”

“Putting them in drawstring bags with a little tag attached that has their initials. Cute but simple.”

“You got the stuff with you?”

“Yeah.”

“Why don’t I rope my sisters into helping us make the favors?”

Noel already shook her head. “We skipped practice yesterday and I have to be at work at six.”

“Don’t worry about practice. We got this playlist down. Besides, four sets of hands are better than one.”

After a heartbeat of silence, Noel cradled his face in her hands and kissed him again.

“Thank you.”

Nick pressed his forehead to hers, his arms secured around her waist. “That’s what friends with an interest in becoming more do for each other.”

She chuckled. “It definitely scores you brownie points.”

“Whoo-hoo. How many extra points do I get if I can also help on the location front?”

“A hundred zillion thousand.”

“Not an actual number, but I’ll take it. It’s not a cabin, but I bet if it’s available, we could get Charlie at The Rustic to rent you the presidential suite for cheap. I don’t think anyone has ever stayed in it since he always insists on keeping it open on the slim chance that some government official is going to stop in Mistletoe. I don’t know what you all have planned, but it sleeps ten, so I think it could work for you.”

Noel threw her arms around his neck and he sank into her, pulling her tight against his body, their mouths meeting over and over.

“Is that a ‘gee thanks’?” he asked between kisses.

“And a big-time thank you.” She nibbled his bottom lip, running her hands over his arms. “Maybe tomorrow I could sneak over after work and thank you properly.”

“Hmmm, what did you have in mind?”

“A little quid pro quo, Clarice,” she hissed, making the sucking noise from Silence of the Lambs.

Nick leaned back, frowning in disgust. “Can you not talk like Hannibal Lecter in reference to going down on me?”

Noel laughed, burying her face in his chest. “I’m sorry. I’m still adjusting to being not just friends. Trying to be sexy is rough.”

“Hey, you are sexy without trying, except when you’re quoting a psychopathic cannibal.”

“Noted.”

“Now if you were into other role playing, I could be down with that. I’ve always fantasized about making out with a dirty pirate.”

Noel’s hands slid into his hair and responded in a husky, pirate voice. “Guess today be your lucky day, argh.”

“Mmmm.” His hands cupped her butt, bringing her harder against him. “Better.”

“Ahem. Seems we’re interrupting.”

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