Page 30 of Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist

He’d known how amazing she was for years, but he’d never thought of her as anything more than Noel. Well, besides the night he’d returned from boot camp. Sitting by the bonfire while other couples milled around them, he’d nearly kissed her. If she hadn’t disappeared and Amber never sat down next to him, would things have turned out differently? There was no way to know for sure.

Now, after the recent moments they’d shared and that kiss? He realized the attraction he felt for her was the strongest he’d ever experienced.

Even stronger than with Amber.

But they’d both convinced themselves that they were better off friends. How did he break the news to her he’d changed his mind and wanted to take a chance? Even if it was a small step, like dinner, just the two of them.

Them putting on an act for Mistletoe gave him a chance to explore everything he was feeling without worrying about scaring her off. But what would he do when the ruse ended and he realized he had real feelings for her?

Nick rubbed a hand over his face. She’d never go for it, not the way she felt about relationships and romance.

Anthony came back to the table with another round of beers and Pike growled. “Would you do something about him? He is killing the vibe!”

While Anthony and Nick were in casual shirts and slacks, Pike looked like he was ready to do a cover shoot for some cheesy romance novel. Blue silky shirt. Gray slacks. Black leather jacket. The one thing to throw it off was the black and gray polka dot tie.

“Pretty sure nobody is interested in your vibe,” Anthony razzed.

Nick laughed.

“Hate all you want, but the ladies love my swagger.”

Pike danced in place and winked at a couple of women walking by. They giggled, but kept going.

“See?”

Anthony snorted in disgust.

“Guess they weren’t that impressed,” Nick said.

Anthony flipped Pike’s tie over his shoulder. “You look like the guy on the Bounty paper towels…sissified.”

Pike shook him off and straightened his clothes. “Shit, I look good.”

“You’d be all right if you lost the tie.”

“I will…later. Let some girl tie me up with it.” Pike raised his hand, expecting a high five. “Come on, don’t leave me hanging.”

Anthony rolled his eyes. “Why are we friends with you?”

“No, the question is, why are we friends with this eunuch?” Pike did the robot, ending with his fingers pointing at Nick.

Nick glared at Pike. “I just don’t feel like chasing after women tonight.”

Pike chugged his beer and set the glass down with a smack. “Why not? You’re single as a Pringle and if I know you, you probably haven’t been with anyone but Amber. Am I wrong?”

Pike wasn’t wrong and Nick hated it.

“No. I haven’t been with anyone but Amber.”

“Pringles come packed on top of each other and you should eat them in bunches, so your turn of phrase makes no sense.” Anthony placed his hand on Nick’s shoulder. “You know I don’t often agree with Pike, but despite his idiotic colloquialisms, I think it would be good for you to get back out there. Even if it’s only a conversation.”

Pike ran his fingers through his beard, watching something over Anthony’s shoulder. “It should be more than talking. Our boy needs some action. And not the fake action like with Noel.”

Nick stiffened, Pike’s words triggering irritation. Nothing about the way he’d felt kissing Noel was fake but she’d made it clear for years that even if she met someone she could love, she never wanted to get married or have kids. Nick dreamed of those things. It didn’t make sense to push for a relationship that would end in heartache and potentially lose him one of the few people he truly loved.

He still couldn’t seem to get her out of his head and no random girl in his bed would change that.

Opting for a change of subject, he said, “Before I forget, would you two help me move, not this coming Saturday but the next? I swung by those apartments on Palmer and they had a unit available.”

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