Page 34 of OMG Christmas Tree
I shook my head. “Bicycles. A lot of people ride bikes in the city.”
I thought I heard an appreciative “Oh” come from Nick, but couldn’t be sure. Besides, I refused to look at him.
The server came by and a beer slid in front of me. Ethan pointed to the pint. “That’s on me. Closed for the season.” He raised his own glass in a salute.
Relief washed over. “I thought for sure you’d chew me out for that.”
“Me? Naw.” He waved me off. “I wish I’d thought to ask Nick to do this last year.”
I took a sip. “Where’s your brother?”
“The beauty of being older? I’m here. He’s working.”
I almost felt bad for Rob setting up all those trees by himself at the mansion. I glanced to Nick. Our eyes met and he quickly looked away.
Nick straightened in his seat. “So, um, Derek. Where do you live?”
“Seattle. And before you ask if I’m a Seahawks fan, yes, but I’m die-hard to the Bears above all.”
The conversation flipped to football, where Kelsey made everyone jealous by sharing about her connection to a superfan who took her to a VIP party with the Chicago team.
Beside me, Nick fiddled with a paper straw wrapper, folding and unfolding. “I’m sorry how I treated you when we first met,” he said low for just me to hear. “I shouldn’t have lied.”
Everything I’d seen from Nick spelled out considerate. He had asked more than once if I was hurt when he found me with my car in the ditch. He’d driven the tree to Stu’s. He hadn’t wanted to bother the gift shop staff when they were busy, even though they expected him. All that, and he still seemed down on himself.
A guy who skated by in life wouldn’t have done those things.
“Did you get everything worked out for the benefit?”
He one-shoulder shrugged. “A few more loose ends turned up. I think I have it under control.” He wadded the straw wrapper into a tiny ball. “You weren’t wrong when you asked about the AV equipment and the emcee. Usually, the mayor makes all the announcements. My mom will be there, but we have another member of the office running the program this year. I made sure it’s covered.”
I ran my finger down the cool pint glass. “It wasn’t my business to question you like that. I’m sorry.”
Nick looked up. His jaw softened and his eyes shone with interest.
My heart did a backflip. So what if Nick had country boy good looks? I never fell for that. I didn’t listen to country music. Like, ever. And I didn’t like leaving the city. I looked away, desperate for a distraction.
“I love this song.” Kelsey edged away from her stool and danced beside the table the way only a college student back in her hometown could.
Derek ate it up. Check that—every guy at the table gawked at Kelsey. I glanced to Nick only to find him watching me. I swallowed, my throat tight. I nodded toward Kelsey as she recruited more dancers from another table. “Your friend. She’s cute.”
“She’s the younger sister of a guy I went to school with.”
I nodded, unclear what I was meant to do with that information. “We keep running into each other. It’s weird.”
“Small towns do that.”
“As long as it’s not something mystical. Like holiday magic.” I made my eyes go googly and fluttered my fingers around.
“Watch out.” He signaled past me.
I followed his gaze. “What am I looking for?” Oh. Mistletoe. Threatening its menace from a wooden beam above the bar. “Ha. Right.” As if I’d find myself underneath it. As if I’d be willing to accept the kiss toll the mistletoe required.
I turned back to Nick whose cheeks looked decidedly pinker.
Something tugged at me I couldn’t ignore. “You seem...not so happy. I know a lot is happening with your family. Is that all?”
He sat slumped, his festive spirit sapped. Across the table Nick’s friends laughed with the neighboring table. Even Derek gestured with his pint acting out some story. And Nick? Moping and apologizing.
