Page 165 of Holidating
“Thank you for making space for me,” she says, her voice suddenly cracking. “I was having a rough day. I’m recently divorced…” She glances at Zara, who winks. “And Damien wouldn’t let me sit home by myself.”
“You shouldn’t,” his mother, Maria, declares. “Someone pass them the turkey platter. I made so much food. Why is nobody having seconds?”
“Because we’re still having firsts!” someone yells. “Chill, Mom.”
Beside her, Damien gives her a grin while quietly fillingtwo plates with food. And although she hadn’t felt hungry a minute ago, Nicolette’s stomach rumbles.
“Here,” he says, putting a plate in front of her. “Now eat up so my mother has less to complain about.”
Nicolette spends a couple of hours fending off more food and drink and listening to the Rossi family making bets on various football and hockey games. Damien’s mom is warm and funny, and his siblings are, too. Benito’s girlfriend is very sweet. There are also two uncles, one of them grumpy, the other one reserved. And in addition to the baby, there’s a preschool-aged niece with fiery red hair and an impish smile.
It’s the best kind of chaos. Nicolette’s favorite part is watching Damien in his natural environment. His role seems to be the quiet sibling. He listens more than he talks. But he’s the same Damien she’s always known—loose and comfortable. Ready with a smile.
And every time they pass him the baby, she feels a little lightheaded. What is it about a strong man holding an infant that’s so attractive?
Eventually, though, she starts yawning. It’s been a long and stressful day.
Damien notices on the second yawn. “Let me get you home, okay? This family is a lot.”
“Take some leftovers!” his mom calls from the next room, where she’s doing a jigsaw puzzle with her granddaughter.
“Make her a take-home pack,” Zara says, nudging her brother. “I want to talk to Nicolette for a second.”
“Zara—” Damien protests.
But Zara is already leading Nicolette toward the entryway. “Can I have a word?”
“Of course,” Nicolette says. Because what choice does she have?
They stop in the foyer, and Zara drops her voice. “Look, it was me who sent you those photos.”
“He told me,” she whispers back.
“You should know how upset he was, though.” Zara pins herwith big brown eyes just like her brother’s. “Damien is tough, but it takes alotto make him take a swing at somebody. And he didn’t want to tell you. He said—and I’ll never forget this—‘I just want her to be happy. She deserves it.’”
Nicolette makes a low noise of dismay. “It’s not his fault I married a tool.”
She shrugs. “No kidding. But I just wanted you to know how much he cares about you.” Then she hands Nicolette her coat as Damien’s footsteps approach.
“What are you two talking about?” he asks, coming into view with a small shopping bag.
“Nicolette was just telling me that I have the cutest children ever. And that you should babysit for me on Saturday night.”
Damien snorts. “Ijustbabysat for you on Tuesday. And Saturday night is a good taxi night.”
“It was worth a shot,” she says, holding the door open for both of them. “Nice to see you, Nicolette. Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t,” she says, and realizes it might even be true. “Thank you for everything tonight. I don’t have very many friends in Vermont. And I’m going to be here for a while.”
“Come over for hockey night next weekend. Damien—make that happen.”
“Will do,” he says, leading the way down the steps.
He opens the Jeep’s passenger door for her, like a gentleman, and tucks her inside. Then he rounds the car, climbs into the driver’s seat, and starts the engine. While it’s warming up, he turns to her. “Is it true? You’re staying in Vermont for a while?”
“I am,” she says, giving him a faint smile. “The head of my literary agency went to Florida for the winter, so I can work from anywhere. And Boston doesn’t feel like home to me anymore. So I’m staying at the guesthouse and trying to figure out my next move.”
He looks out the window, where the streetlights pool their light onto the dark street, his long fingers tapping the steering wheel. “I know your life is complicated. But if it feels right to you, I’d like to see more of you. Just as friends, if that’s what you need most right now.”
