Page 30 of Novalie's Little New Year

“Well then, we might both be in luck,” she purred.

“We might,” he agreed, although April wasn’t making much of a first impression.

Mostly she prattled on and on about her likes and dislikes, what she needed, and what she expected from a Daddy. Which wouldn’t be terrible—he liked subs and Littles who communicated what they wanted and knew what they couldn’t live without. But she had a real laundry list when it came to dealbreakers, and everything she said was in a tone that made it sound more like a list of demands than actually trying to get to know him to see if they’d be compatible. It felt like she was trying to order a Top from a catalogue.

Mostly because he’d told Nova he’d give this a real shot, he didn’t blow her off. Maybe he put too much stock in initial impressions and vibes. And if this didn’t go anywhere, at least he could point to the growing list of women he’d interacted with and know he’d found the best possible one in Nova. Which he suspected would happen even if the list was a mile long.

“I’ll be here until the day after New Year’s so we’ll have more time to get to know each other. My schedule is pretty packed tomorrow, but you can take me to the Midnight Sun party,” April told him.

Linc was about to tell April that he appreciated the invitation but he couldn’t really see this going anywhere and he didn’t have time to be squiring women who weren’t legitimate possibilities around to Ranch activities, but then he saw Nova walk in. His world shrank and all he could think of was how to be with her as soon as possible.

“Sure. I’ll be in touch about the time,” he told April. She’d already put her number into his phone and texted herself because she was ballsy as hell that way. “My… friend just arrived. Excuse me.”

April didn’t look happy about that, but he didn’t have too long to face her disapproval because he was heading toward Nova who appeared to be with a woman with tight brown curls. They were both clad in festive dresses with puffy skirts, and headbands that had glittery snowflakes on them. Nova was wearing a rich, plummy purple and her snowflakes were gold while her friend was in pale blue with silver snowflakes. So freaking cute. If they’d gotten those at the gift shop, he might have to pick some up for Gwennie, Lulu, Jojo, and Cricket. Maybe one for Sabby if they had small ones.

He rested a hand at Nova’s waist and resisted the urge to pull her in and kiss her until she melted against him. It would probably send the wrong message. To a lot of people, including himself. Instead, he settled for what was probably still too long of a kiss to be purely a greeting to her cheek. He couldn’t help it if she smelled so good he had to breathe her in before he let go.

Then she was standing there like he’d knocked every thought out of her head and he couldn’t say he was sorry about that.

“You gonna introduce me to your friend here, Nova?”

It was hard to tell with her darker-toned olive skin but he was pretty sure Nova was blushing. She was struggling to find her words, that was for sure.

“Yes, of course. Friend. I, um. Linc, this is Callie. Callie, this is Linc. Callie lives in the Littles’ Dorm and she’s super nice. I think you two will get along really well.”

The hot cocoasocial was apparently the place to be that evening because the cafeteria was as crowded and loud as it had ever been. Everyone probably wanted to have a snack after the rope circus to get them fueled up for a night in the Dungeon or the playrooms or for more private kinds of intimacies in their own rooms, and there was a huge line for the hot cocoa bar.

It was always pretty extra, but tonight Chef Connor had gone completely overboard and Nova wasn’t sure how she was going to have just one cup or even two because there were so many options. Not to mention the non-liquid desserts. There were savory snacks too, but she only had eyes for sugar.

“How about we sit and wait for this line to thin out a bit? I’ve been living on an island with like a dozen other people for months now and this circus is a bit much for me,” Linc said, and Nova and Callie both agreed.

He shepherded them over to an empty table and pulled out chairs for both of them which was sweet and old-fashioned and made her feel attended to. The three of them talked as well as they could over the music and the din of people chattering away, which wasn’t super well. It was just too noisy and it felt icky to shout.

They made a bit of small talk but without sitting super close to one another or raising their voices, it was hard to hear. Nova worried that Callie and Linc would only base their impressions of each other on the atmosphere instead of each other. Not on her watch they wouldn’t.

“Why don’t you take Callie to dinner tomorrow night, Linc? Callie really likes Italian, and you’d actually be able to have a conversation. Have you been to the restaurant yet?”

“I haven’t, but I heard it’s great,” Linc volunteered. “No surprise. The food here is incredible.”

“I’ll give Chef Connor your compliments next time I have to do dishes,” Nova joked.

“Dinner tomorrow sounds good, I’d like that,” Callie said. “They have this burrata ravioli that’s just so good.”

“It’s a date then!” Nova announced, feeling both pleased with herself and like a third wheel. Maybe she was doing this wrong? She doubted Master Derek felt this way when he set people up. Then again, he’d probably never had a crush on any of them since high school, so.

“Oh, I see Sadie!” Callie piped up. “I’ve been meaning to ask her where she got those boots, and she’s always running around. I’m going to catch her while I can. Excuse me.”

Nova had done her duty, hadn’t she? Found not just any Little to throw at Linc but one she actually thought could make him happy. That had to be sufficient, at least for tonight.

“See anyone else you’d like to meet? I—” She was about to say she’d be happy to make introductions, but that would be a lie. She’d do it, and be proud of herself for honoring her word, but she wouldn’t like it and it definitely wouldn’t make her happy. “I could make introductions.”

“I think I’ve had enough introductions for now,” Linc told her. His warm smile melted her insides like Chef Conor’s lava cakes. “Besides, my dance card’s filling up for tomorrow.”

Nova should’ve been pleased that he was meeting more women, taking them out on dates but the only things she felt were envy and anxiety. Was she not going to see him tomorrow?

“You’ve been so busy playing matchmaker you haven’t even gotten your hot cocoa yet. Come on, shortcake.”

Chapter 18

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