Page 63 of Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist

He’s the only person who can.

The thought both comforted and scared her and Noel held him a little tighter, realizing how true that statement was. No one knew her like Nick. She couldn’t lose him, no matter what.

Chapter 16

NOEL

Noel stepped out of the dressing room in the dark-green bridesmaid dress and struck a pose.

“How does it look?”

Gabby’s mother, Eleanor Montoya, clapped from the sitting area. Her dark hair secured back from her youthful face and hung down over one shoulder. Shorter and plumper than Gabby, Eleanor’s eyes were a mossy shade of green.

“Gabriella! Come out here!”

Gabby’s cousins were working until later this evening, so only Gabby, her mother, and Noel were in Vale at Heel Bridal Boutique. Amber was supposed to join them when she could duck out of the spa where she worked as a massage therapist but Noel enjoyed it being just the Montoyas and herself. It took her back to dress shopping their senior year, when Gabby insisted she needed to go to at least one high school dance. They’d gone together and Mrs. Montoya had taken them to get their dresses in Boise. It was still one of the best experiences of Noel’s life.

Gabby came around the corner in a white corset and lacy white boy shorts. Her face split into a wide smile when she saw Noel. “Oh, that is your color! I was going to put you in red and the others in green, but Amber said green washes her out. But you look freaking gorgeous!”

“Gabriella, you do not run around a store in your underwear!” Eleanor gasped.

Gabby rolled her eyes so only Noel could see and backed around the corner. “I’m completely covered, Mom, and the windows are frosted. No one can see us.”

“I don’t care,” Eleanor growled.

Gabby heaved a sigh. “Noel, will you tell my mother it’s fine.”

Noel glanced between Eleanor’s arch expression and Gabby’s exasperation. “Yeah, I’m not telling her jack. You’re on your own.”

“You’re weak!” Gabby laughed before ducking back into the dressing room.

Eleanor shook her head, before shooting Noel a wink. “You’re a smart girl, Noel. Respecting your elders.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Noel closed the curtain on the dressing room and changed back into her clothes. She’d had a little rest before meeting Gabby and her mother at noon for lunch, but luckily, she had the next two nights off. She’d probably take another short nap before Nick’s birthday tonight, but tomorrow, she could sleep in.

Noel came out of the changing room and handed the dress off to the attendant behind the counter.

“Do you need any alterations?”

“No, I think I’m good.”

“Great, that will be one hundred eighty-three dollars and thirty-seven cents.”

“Noel!” Gabby cried behind her. “I told you I’d buy your dress!”

Noel handed the attendant her debit card and turned around, pausing as she stared in awe of Gabby. The strapless mermaid gown in ivory lace hugged her curves and the color set off the radiance in her golden skin.

“Gabs, that dress…”

“It’s perfect,” her mother finished, climbing to her feet.

Tears filled Gabby’s eyes. “Really?”

Eleanor crossed the room, taking Gabby’s face in her hands. “Drew won’t be able to take his eyes off of you. I swear to you.”

Gabby threw her arms around her mother, who returned the embrace. Noel watched them, mesmerized, bile crawling up her throat as memories overtook her.

It was a Saturday morning in the spring. They’d been cleaning out the spare bedroom and under the bed, Noel found a white bridal box. She’d been nine at the time and pushed it towards her mother across the carpet.

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