Page 16 of Mistletoe Mistake
Nick makes a nondescript sound, shaking his head slightly. “If you say so.”
“Oh my god.” I snatch up the remote and click back to the menu, cueing up the pilot episode. “I won’t be able to live with myself if I don’t educate you while I have the chance.” Pressing play, I turn to him with a grin. “Welcome to Friends 101, Nick O’Connor. It sucks, you’re gonna love it.”
“Wha—”
“Just watch, that’ll totally make sense in twenty minutes.”
* * *
“Okay, Ross and Rachel, they happen, right? Tell me they become a thing.”
We’ve just finishedThe One With Mrs. Bing, and I think it’s safe to say I have a convert on my hands.
“Oh yeah, it’s a wild ride.” I laugh.
“That Ross, man, he’s kind of strange, but I think I love him.”
“Yes!” I whisper-yell, conscious of Tahlia asleep upstairs. “Look, Chandler will always be my favorite, but Ross is a certain kind of crazy and I am so here for it.”
Nick chuckles. “What’s your favorite episode?”
I don’t even have to think about my answer. “The one where Chandler proposes to Monica. It’s just so romantic, these two characters who are normally so neurotic being all honest and heartfelt andthey’recrying andIcry every time I watch it.” Embarrassingly, I feel myself start to tear up just thinking about it. “The room is so beautiful, with candles everywhere and it’s just an unexpectedly perfect moment.”
He’s staring at me silently, and it takes me a second to realize that his attention is locked on my mouth. I have to resist the urge to lick my lips, not wanting to break the spell between us.
There’s a shift in the room, the air thickens and anticipation crawls up my spine, reminding me of the near kiss from earlier today.
My heart is racing, but before either one of us can act on any impulse, a small cry from upstairs breaks the tension.
“Tahlia?”
“Yeah, I put her down in my bed. I better go check on her.”
“You want to keep watching? I’ll make another bowl of popcorn.”
“Sure.” I hop up and leave the room before he sees the smile spread across my face.
Taking the stairs two at a time, I creep toward the guest room I’ve been staying in, not wanting to wake up Tahlia if she’s still asleep.
I peek through the doorway. The room is dimly lit by the hallway light and I spot Tahlia snuggled up in the covers. She moves restlessly for a few moments before settling down, the sound of her soft snores filling the room. I spot Gypsy fast asleep at the foot of the bed, and they both look so cute while sleeping that I have to resist the urge to go over and smooch on them both.
Once I’m sure Tahlia isn’t going to wake up, I decide to give myself a moment before I go back down to Nick. Heading to the bathroom, I play the last few hours out in my head.
Stepping inside the small tiled room, I’m immediately struck with the vision of a naked Nick, water dripping down his naked skin. His naked six-pack flexing as he dried his hair. Naked.
Did I mention he was naked?
I splash some cold water on my face, letting the coolness do its job and wake me up. I feel like the last few hours have lulled me into an alternate reality where Nick and I are actual friends, not strangers who are only connected by my brother. We’ve spent them talking about anything and everything, catching up on the last few years of our lives and reminiscing over memories I had long forgotten. We even touched on his dad and I’m so happy to see how much better he’s doing. Such a huge difference from the last time I saw him.
Our conversation has made me realize that I spent so many years avoiding him, so desperately worried that I was going to humiliate myself in front of him, that I missed out on actually getting to know him. All those years I wasted crushing on a pretty face, when I could have been discovering what a good person he is.
Because hearing about it from Brandon is one thing, but seeing it for myself is something else entirely. The way he lavishes attention on Gypsy when he thinks I’m not looking, or the way he was so patient with Tahlia today. Those small acts show me who he really is.
He’s the type of man I want.
Heisthe man I want.
NICK
