Page 114 of Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist

“Hey, Amber’s tire is flat. Do you mind if I step outside and take care of it for her?”

Noel cleared her throat. “Of course not.”

“Thanks, Noel. You’re a peach,” Amber said, sweetly.

Holly glared at her. “There’s a hundred tutorials on YouTube that will show her how to change a tire.”

“I’ll be quick.” He leaned over and kissed Noel’s forehead. “I’ll find you in a bit.”

“Sure. Come on, Holly. I want to see your tree again.”

His sister kept giving Amber the evil eye until they disappeared into the crowd.

“Shall we?” Amber asked.

Nick nearly told her he’d changed his mind and she needed to find someone else, but Noel said it was fine. He loved her. Noel had to know that. She trusted him at the very least and he’d be quick.

Nick followed behind Amber out the side door to the gravel parking lot. The place was packed but luckily, she’d parked off to the side in the last stall. He grabbed her spare from the trunk of her car along with the jack and tools, wanting to get this done and be back at Noel’s side.

Amber leaned up against her car, watching him work.

“I really appreciate this, Nick.”

“I understand you didn’t want to wait an hour for AAA, but no one else could have done this for you? Aren’t you here with someone?”

“You mean Guy? We aren’t dating anymore.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

“Hindsight is twenty-twenty, right.” She cleared her throat, taking a step closer to him. “I know I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I think I made a mistake, Nick.”

He cranked the jack, not even looking at her. “What does that mean?”

“Breaking up with you.”

Nick took a deep, even breath. “Let’s not go there, okay? I’m doing you a favor. Don’t make me regret it.”

“Why would you regret helping me?” she asked, angrily.

“I know all about your issues with Noel. Don’t try to use me to get to her. It’s not going to work.”

She opened her mouth and snapped it shut several times, as though weighing what to say next. Finally, she spoke in an almost regretful tone. “I’m sorry. I didn’t ask you to change my tire because I wanted to upset or offend you. I know I do that with people all the time. Even when I care about people, I always mess it up.”

He stopped loosening a lug nut and stared up at her. “What are you getting at, Amber?”

“You being home made our relationship realer than it’s ever been and you’d been going on about marriage and kids for so long—”

“Amber.” She stopped talking when he said her name sternly. “I am with Noel. I love Noel. I think right now you’re feeling scared about being on your own and that’s normal. But you and me? We’re not happening.”

“Then why did you help me, if you feel nothing for me?”

“I told you I’d treat you with respect, like everyone else in this town until you gave me a reason not to. And right now, you’re being incredibly disrespectful to me and Noel.”

“Noel, poor Noel. I am so sick of hearing that! What the hell makes her so damn special?”

God, he was such a fucking idiot. Even his sister thought so. He’d let Amber manipulate him. He’d actually felt guilty for not wanting to help her. And all along it was just a way to get him alone.

“I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean it. I just…I want you to know that I still care.”

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