Page 34 of Unwrapped

“I’m sorry, my little drunk,” he says, holding me in his arms. “Sometimes my family speaks before they think, especially if they’ve been drinking. I don’t care about Paige or any other woman.Youare my pretty girl. Just you.”

I pull him close and put my hands around his neck.

“I know you have a past, but guess what, Nicky?” I surprise us both when I get on my tippy toes and rub my nose against his. “I don’t care who came before me. Do you know why? Because I’m here now.Youbelong tome, so Paige and whoever else will have to deal with it. I’m your pretty girl.” He pulls me closer and kisses me.

“Damn right, I do, and you are.” When “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” starts to play, he increases the volume.

“Joey,” Allison says as she and Becker walk back into the room. “Remember when Nicky was about two or three and he danced naked to this song. Then he peed on the floor?”

Everyone, including Nick, laughs at the story. He responds by turning the music up higher. Then he takes my hands and we dance around the Christmas tree. Soon, everyone joins in and our first party as a couple continues.

“You know what we need?” I ask after hiccupping again. “Tea! We need tea. I’ll be right back!” I leave everyone and head for the kitchen, but Nick follows me, a hand on my hip keeping me steady. While I order him to boil water, I run upstairs and find what I’m looking for hidden in the back of his closet.

I return downstairs to find Nick standing in the kitchen, staring at the tea kettle with his back to me.

“The water will never boil if you stand over it like that.” He doesn’t turn around until I put my hands on his ass cheeks and squeeze. “I can’t wait to bite that later.”

I don’t think my words about my teeth on his butt register because his eyes widen when he turns around and sees me. Then he bursts into laughter.

“Not only do I never know what the hell will come out of your mouth next, but I also have no idea what you’ll be wearing from one moment to the other.” He touches the brim of my wide, floppy hat. His eyes light up when he starts playing with some of the feathers.

“I found this beauty on clearance at the mall. My mom and I like to dress up when Dad watches the Kentucky Derby every May.” I show off my find.

“You do realize it’s powder blue and your clothes are red and green?”

“What are you saying, Nicky?” I do a dramatic spin while holding on to my hat. “Are you saying you don’t like my hat?”

He pulls me flush against his chest and grazes the side of my neck with his nose.

“On the contrary. There isn’t a thing about you I don’t like.” Just as the kettle starts to whistle, his mother walks into the kitchen.

“You kids need help in here?” she asks. I turn to look at her, but Nick doesn’t let me go. Her eyes light up at the sight of my hat.

“Oh my God. I love it,” she says as she walks over to us. She reaches out to me, takes the hat off my head, and puts it on her own head. “Let’s go show everyone else.” She takes my hand and pulls me out of Nick’s arms.

“Hey!” Nick protests. “Give me back my girlfriend.”

“Bring us the tea,” Allison orders.

“Yes, bring us the tea, peasant!” I say as Allison pulls me with her.

“So, we’re using really bad British accents now?” he yells behind us.

CHAPTER 23

NICK

When I bring the tray holding the kettle and teacups to the family room, I find my family taking turns wearing Miranda’s hat and taking pictures while speaking in the worst British accents I’ve ever heard.

Uncle Joe showing up was a surprise, but I knew my family would like Miranda. What I didn’t expect was for this party to be as much fun as it is, and it’s all because of her. Even Uncle Joe takes a turn with the hat, and he smiles widely for the camera. He even calls everyone over, and Henry snaps a selfie with all of us with Uncle Joe sitting in the middle.

My favorite picture happens when Miranda puts the hat on me, and someone snaps a picture at the exact moment she kisses my cheek. I’d love to make that one the background picture on my phone but can’t risk Mona seeing it until we tell her about our relationship.

“I thought this damn party would never end,” I say a few hours later. I wave one last time as everyone backs out of my driveway and close the door. The minute I do, I reach for Miranda, but she giggles and runs from me. Unfortunately for her, all the alcohol she drank combined with her heels slows her down. I reach her in two steps and scoop her into my arms.

She screams until I get us to the sectional. As soon as I sit down, she straddles me and starts to unbutton my shirt.

“Do you know how sexy you are?” she asks as she nibbles on the side of my neck. I’m already hard and if this was any other time, I’d let her have her way with me, but we need to talk first. I grab her hands and move them away from my shirt.

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