Page 18 of A Not So Merry Ex-Mas

“Noelle?” I call out, my voice insistent.

“Yes?” She looks over her shoulder, eyes wide. Is that hope I see in her eyes?

My breath is quick and short, and the words I’ve wanted to say are not coming to me. She tilts her head and raises a brow.

I rub my palms together and take a deep breath.

“I’m gonna head out to grab the tree stand and then bring the tree in tonight. Is there anywhere in particular you’d like me to put it?”

Her shoulders slowly lift and fall, and I notice her mouth falling slightly open.

“Oh, yeah, I forgot about the tree. Good idea. Especially with the storm coming.” She looks around the room and then points to the wall beside the fireplace with an open corner. “What about there?”

“Perfect,” I say, my gaze lingering on her face. When her eyes meet mine again, I see a slight flush creep up her cheeks. I finally drag my eyes from hers to where she pointed.

“I’ll go do that now.” I smile at her as I push myself up from the couch and head to the front door. “It will be all ready for decorating tomorrow.”

“Cole?” Noelle’s voice is soft, and my heart jumps.

“Yeah?” I look at her with my eyebrows raised.

“I’m sorry—” I hold my breath, my heart beating so hard I have to strain to hear her over the pounding. “I know I’ve been a bit…prickly.”

She looks away from me and stares at the ground. The vulnerability on her face makes me want to run to her, take her in my arms and tell her that everything is going to be okay. Instead, my fists clench, and I force my feet to stay put.

“It’s been a…” I can see her swallow from here. “Challenging year and seeing you here…”

She trails off, and my breath catches. “Bug—”

She puts her hand up, but for the first time, her eyes don’t harden at my endearment. Heat infuses my body.

“I’m just trying to say that my…” She pauses as if trying to find the right words.

“Prickliness?” I ask, the corner of my lips lifting slightly.

“My prickliness…” A small smile curves her lips, and a glint I haven’t seen today sparks in her eyes. “It’s not all about you. I think that us clearing the air is a good idea. Especially with me moving back.”

My body feels weightless, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t push any words from my lips.

“Thank you,” she says, and my mouth falls open.

“For what?” I all but whisper.

“For just being…you.” She shrugs. “Good night.”

With that, she turns and walks out of sight. My mouth is hanging open, and my body is frozen in place.

Did that happen? Did Noelle apologize to me?

The words lost to me just a few minutes ago come crashing over me in waves, nearly knocking me down.

“Noelle?” I call out sharply.

“Yes?” Her response comes as she pops her head around the corner, looking at me with her eyebrows raised.

“At Mel and Mike’s wedding—” She puts her hand out and opens her mouth to stop me. “Please, let me get this out.”

She drops her hand, and I take a deep breath. Noelle stares at me with wide eyes and her mouth partly open.

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