Page 131 of Holidating
She darts back out a moment later. “The flight’s on time. Boarding in an hour.” She puts one hand across her breastbone. “I’ve never been this nervous. I have no chill.”
He smiles at her, because that’s such an easy thing to do. “It’s going to be fine. How long is your flight?”
“Two hours and ten minutes.” She licks her lips. “Doyou know any way to become more interesting in, say, two hours and ten minutes?”
He cracks up. Then he puts his hands on her shoulders. “Listen, Nicky Nicolette.”
She smiles suddenly, and he wonders how anyone could have such bright eyes. Does she know they’re beautiful? Or do they just look normal to her, because she’s seen them every day of her life?
“This Duke thing is going to work out fine. Your roommate could turn out to be a bitch, but only if she’s the kind of girl who can’t handle the fact that you’re prettier than her.” Her brilliant eyes widen. “And if your dorm is haunted, it’s probably only by Civil War soldiers. Just smile at them and ask them to move along. It’s. Going. To. Be. Fine.”
Her eyes dip for a moment before returning to his with a new spark in them. “You are really the best, Damien. Thanks for getting me here safely and then talking me off the ledge.”
He drops his hands from her warm shoulders even though he’d rather hold on. “You’re welcome. Want my card? I could pick you up at Christmas.”
“Sure. Ofcourse,” she says with such enthusiasm that it makes his heart feel lighter.
He digs a card out of his wallet. He designed it himself—it’s a line drawing of the Jeep, with his name and phone number in the middle. “Call me any time,” he says, handing it over.
“Hey, cool card.” She admires it for a moment then tucks it into her purse. “Thanks, uh, again.” She grabs the handle of her big bag.
“You take care,” he says. “I’m going to want an update at Christmastime.”
Her smile is so pretty, it’s almost a gut punch. “Will I need a perfect report card to get a ride home?”
“Hell no. The grades don’t matter, Miss Nicky Nicole. Just try to have a fun time.”
The smile becomes bashful, and then she looks away. “You’re the only person in my life who’d say that to me. So thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Have a safe flight.”
She gives him one more devastating smile. And two seconds later she’s gone.
He drives away from the airport feeling oddly bereft.
CHAPTER2
VOICEMAIL FROM NICOLETTE (19) TO DAMIEN (20)
Hi. This is Nicolette Overland. You probably don’t remember me, but in September, you drove me to the airport when I was leaving for college.
I was the nervous wreck with the super-heavy bags?
Anyway, I’m hoping you’re available to pick me up on Thursday at the airport for Christmas break. But I have a complication. I’m in the middle of exams and haven’t had time to do any Christmas shopping, and I can’t arrive home empty handed.
So I can either hire you to drive me home from Burlington, and then borrow a car and drive right back to Burlington to shop before the stores close.
Or—and you can price this however you would price a really weird job—you could drive me to the Church Street Mall before you drive me back home? I can shop fast.
Probably. I mean, I’ll try.
I need to find a gift for the father who has everything, his girlfriend who hates me, and her two weird teenaged twins who are deep into classical music the way some people are into drugs.
Oh God I can’t stop talking.
Sorry.
Beep.
