Page 106 of Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist

She set one coffee down on the porch and rang the doorbell. Noel was just standing back up when Gabby answered the door clad in black slacks and a white blouse, with her hair up in a bun. White gauze was taped across her nose and under both her eyes was a nasty purple bruise.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hi, Gabs. Can we talk?”

“Sure, come on in.” Gabby stepped back, letting Noel walk past her into the foyer. Noel noticed a basket on the decorative bench in the entryway and pointed.

“What’s that?”

“Amber brought me a Boozy Basket as a means of apologizing.”

“Well, that was nice.”

“Yes, everyone is leaving gifts for the forgiveness gods. Boozy Baskets. Finished wedding favors. Coffee.” She pointed from cup to cup. “I assume one of these is for me?”

“The one on the left.”

Gabby accepted the cup from her and took a small sip. “Thank you. For finishing the favors. It meant a lot.”

“I had help. Gabby, I am so very sorry about Sunday. I should have never lost my temper like that, especially in your mother’s house. Did she say anything?”

“She mentioned how hungry we must have been since all the food was gone. I didn’t have the heart to tell her most of it ended up in Amber’s hair.”

Noel shuffled her feet. “I really am sorry.”

“I know. I was going to call you today to talk, but a lot’s been going on. Besides, I know Amber pushed you really hard. I don’t know if I could have taken all the crap she was dishing if our roles were reversed.” Gabby smiled and held her arms open. “Come here.”

Noel fell into them gratefully, returning her hug. “God, I was so afraid you wouldn’t forgive me.”

“You cleaned up the mess and the favors got done. No harm, no foul.” Her hand flew up to cover her nose. “Well, maybe a little harm, but it wasn’t entirely your fault. Plus, when I described the fight to Drew, he thought it was hysterical.”

“Oh, God.” Noel covered her face with her hands, hiding a smile. “The ranch slap.”

Gabby giggled. “What about the cream cheese in Amber’s hair from the jalapeño poppers? She looked like she forgot to wash all the conditioner out of her hair and it curdled.”

Noel joined in Gabby’s laughter, following her as she moved into the kitchen. “I’m just glad no one else was there filming it. Angry Bridesmaid Food Fight. That would definitely go viral.”

“Believe me, I am going to be ready with my camera phone next time. No way am I going to miss another opportunity like that.”

They sat at the oval dining room table next to each other, Noel cradling her coffee cup in her hands. “I have some more good news. I booked us the Presidential suite at The Rustic Inn. It sleeps up to ten people and he’ll let us have an afternoon checkout so we can sleep in.”

Gabby cried out happily. “How did you convince Charlie Sloan to let you have it? I think he’s had that room locked up since the eighties.”

“Actually, Nick talked to him. I owe him big.”

“Yeah you do. So, did you pay up?”

Noel grinned. “Somewhat?”

“We talking full coitus?”

Noel spit out her coffee, wiping at her chin. “What the hell?”

“Sorry, Drew’s been on a whole Big Bang Theory kick. We are binge watching it from the beginning and the lingo gets stuck in my head.”

“Well, to answer your question, no. Just oral coitus.”

“Tell me when to stop.” Gabby held her hands a few inches apart and started moving them further away from each other.

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