Page 14 of Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist

“How do you know it’s sugary?” Nick asked.

Pike held up the glass. “There is pink sugar around the rim! Nasty.”

Noel tweaked his bow tie with her finger. “Maybe next time don’t boss me around like I’m your bar wench.”

Nick reached across and took the flamingo, sliding the shot to Pike. “I’ll swap you.”

“Hey! If he doesn’t give one, then he doesn’t get one!”

“Give me a chance, beautiful, and you’ll be shaking the walls.”

“Gross.”

“Says you.” Pike gulped down the shot and licked his lips. “Mmmm, it’s good but a letdown from the name.”

Noel watched Nick suck on the pink straw, his neck muscles working as he swallowed. Nearly a fourth of the drink disappeared before he came up for air.

“Now that is tasty.”

Noel pointed at Nick with a smirk. “See? This is what a real man looks like.”

“Whatever,” Pike said.

Anthony came back to the table with four glasses of amber brew and four shots. “Hey, Noel, I thought you and Trip were getting it on?”

Noel winced. “Not anymore.”

Pike reached for the drinks Anthony set down. “Thank God. He’s a douche.”

Noel leveled him with a glare. “You know when you call him a douche, you’re calling me dumb, right?”

“Huh? I am not! You just deserve better than him. You deserve a guy who will open doors, pay the dinner tab…” He stroked his facial hair. “Can grow a real beard.”

Noel smothered a grin. “I appreciate the sentiment behind it. Really.”

“I didn’t know you were dating Trip,” Nick said.

Noel’s face flamed. She’d been hoping to avoid talking about relationships with Nick. Not because he cared what she did, but their views on dating were so different, it was awkward to discuss.

“It was only a few months.”

Anthony piped in. “Plus, they were just fucking.”

Noel snatched one of the glasses and dropped the shot in. “Thanks for making me sound like a class act.”

“There’s nothing wrong with hooking up,” Pike said.

“Oh my God, can we please stop talking about this?” Noel chugged the Jägerbomb, her face scrunching as the licorice aftertaste hit her. She shook her head, coughing a few times and finally sighed.

“We’re just saying…” Anthony stammered.

“I know you are trying to make me feel better, but sometimes hanging with you is worse than spending the day with Gabby. Always telling me how I can do better. That I should look for something real. Why can’t a woman just get a little D when she wants it without putting up with a guy’s BS?”

Several tables swiveled her way and she wanted to sink into the floor. Anthony and Pike started talking at once, but Nick stood up and held his hand out to Noel. “Come on, Noel. You love this song.”

Noel listened to the old Mindy McCreedy melody for a half a second before she took his hand. The guys were still jabbering on, now arguing with each other on double standards and relationships. The rescue was timely and appreciated. As much as she loved Anthony and Pike, they still treated her like a little sister instead of one of the guys.

Well, Anthony treated her like a sister. Pike was protective, but loved to flirt with her. Maybe a third cousin for him.

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