Page 17 of Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist

“You’re probably right.” Nick smiled, already feeling more like himself. “Did you see that guy Amber was with?”

“I did.”

“And?” He felt like a tool asking, but Nick’s pride still stung that Amber had walked in with a Norse god on her arm.

Noel wrinkled her nose, which made her look younger. Adorable. “Too much hair for my tastes. I’m not interested in men who have you hocking up hairballs after one kiss.”

Nick laughed, tension easing out of his shoulders. “Not into beards and long hair, huh?”

“Not particularly. I like my guys clean-cut. If they do have a little scruff on occasion, that’s fine. Just need to keep it trimmed.”

The air seemed less charged outside and he wondered if the cumulation of loneliness and alcohol had been the catalyst behind his abrupt break with sanity. This was Noel. They’d been in each other’s lives since infancy. Was she amazing and beautiful? Absolutely, but he’d always known that. Never acted on the knowledge to see how things went.

The only time it crossed his mind was when he got home from bootcamp. They’d gone to a bonfire out at the lake and they’d been sitting at the fire together. The flames danced across her skin and when her brown hair fell forward, he’d brushed it back. Silky soft, it slipped through his fingertips slowly. He remembered staring at her lips right before she jumped up and left to get them another beer.

Amber sat down in her place and the thought hadn’t crossed his mind again. Until now.

“Is that why Pike never had a chance? Too fuzzy?” he teased.

She shook her head. “Pike is my buddy. I don’t go there with people I actually care about. It’s hard enough saying adios when it’s casual, but add in feelings?”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

Noel’s voice softened. “I don’t want to lose anyone important to me. Not again.”

Her meaning washed over Nick and he pulled her against him, wrapping her up in his arms. He rested his chin on top of Noel’s head and her body melted into his. “I understand how you feel, but you can’t close yourself off from love because of your parents. They wouldn’t want that for you.”

“I know they wouldn’t, but I just can’t. I like to compartmentalize my life. If something grows with someone I’m dating, fine. I’ll accept that. I don’t want to take a friendship that is amazing the way it is and ruin it with sex.”

Nick chuckled. “I don’t know how sex can ruin anything, unless it’s bad sex.”

Noel hit him in the arm. “Such a guy thing to say!”

“Well, last time I checked…”

“Oh my God, enough. I don’t need to hear about you jerkin’ your gherkin.”

Nick bent over with loud guffaws. “Ah, man. I missed you.”

“Missed you too.”

When Nick’s mirth finally subsided, he caught her watching him closely.

“What’s that look for?”

“Just happy you got your smile back.”

“Yeah, well, it’s hard to fight when I’m with you.”

“So you’re glad you came out tonight?”

“Glad? No.” He nudged her shoulder. “But it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Seeing Amber with someone else was shocking but not really painful. I’m actually more concerned about people pitying me once they see my replacement. The dude is hot, and I’m man enough to admit it.”

Noel took his hand, and he noted her cooled skin. “You are hotter. You are also funny, kind, smart, and only the tiniest bit irritating.” She flashed him a teasing grin as their fingers interlaced. “No one is going to pity you, Nick. They’ll feel bad for her. Only a loser dumps a guy like you for Cousin Itt.”

The sincere tone brought on the strangest urge to kiss her again, but that would be weird, out here for no one’s benefit.

“You’re freezing. Let’s go inside.”

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