Page 41 of Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist

“Nick? What did you tell to your family about us?”

I need to get it together.

“I told my mom it was just a rumor. Didn’t get the chance to set Merry straight.”

“Oh, thank God. I worry about your parents more than your sisters.” Noel brushed a snowflake from her cheek, her gaze locked on his. “How are you otherwise?”

“I’m awesome. I actually got an apartment.”

“Really? That’s amazing! Where at?”

“A few doors down from you, actually.”

“Wow that’s…that’s fantastic.” She chuckled weakly. “I’ll have to borrow a cup of sugar when you get settled.”

Crap, was Noel upset he’d rented a place near her? He didn’t think she’d have a problem with it, but maybe with everything going on, she needed space.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you on Thursday, but I was a bit distracted.”

“You don’t have to be sorry. Having you close by will be nice.”

Relief rushed though him and he grinned. “In that case, would you want to come over next Saturday and help me move? The guys will be there.”

“I would, but I’m going with Gabby to do some shopping.”

“Ah, no problem. You can help me unpack.”

Noel gave him a gentle shove. “Excuse you? No asking, just assuming?”

“Please help me unpack my stuff.”

“Maybe.”

He pretended to wipe a tear from his eyes. “That hurts.”

Noel wrapped her arms around his waist with a laugh. “Oh, don’t cry. I’ll help you…for a Klondike bar.”

“Damn, you’re easy. I would have easily thrown in Chinese food.” Nick found himself counting the dark flecks in Noel’s eyes, tracing the lines of her face until his hand came up to cup her cheek.

Her eyes widened, dropping down to the area of his mouth. Then, just as suddenly, she patted his lower back and released him. “We better get inside. Lots of rehearsing to do.”

Nick shook himself out of his trance when Noel passed him, following her into the house. He closed the door behind him, trying not to look at Noel’s ass as she hung up her puffy coat, exposing another pair of butt-hugging jeans. He’d always thought Noel was beautiful, but this obsession with her various body parts was distracting.

He couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her. Her dark hair fell in a messy braid, a stark contrast with the white off-the-shoulder sweater she wore. Casually feminine without being obvious. Noel had always been no frills, which was why hanging with her had always been so easy and enjoyable.

“Ahhh, there you are. Took you long enough.”

“Your brother tried to rope me into manual labor, but I evaded his attempts. For the most part.”

“Hmm, he is quite nefarious when he wants something.”

“Hey, now, no ganging up on me!”

“Speaking of my brother’s attributes, Noel…” Merry batted her eyelashes innocently. “What do you think?”

Noel’s eyes widened. “Think about his…attributes?”

Nick glared at his sister. “Mer, what are you doing?”

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