Eggnog & Evergreen

36 • Fake Gazebo Waltz

"You can waltz?" I ask, looking up at him.

"Believe it or not, I can do more than chop down trees," Nik teases.

I am so close to him now that I can almost feel the warmth radiating from his body. I concentrate on the thick cable-knits of his sweater. Nothing else even exists in my head.

Nik swings me around in grand fashion. We pretend to dance and pretend to know what we're doing. Preston would never have done this type of thing. Too embarrassing and too public. Our faces are filtered by red, green, and golden lights. As Nik dips me back, I feel his hands sliding up my back. I can't help but think nothing could be more perfect in this moment.

The Christmas spirit is alive and thriving in this little town gazebo.

My mind settles on a stocking wish. It's not an ostentatious engagement ring, a five-year plan, or even those black leather boots I've been ogling at Saks. In fact, all those things seem lightyears away.

"Now I can mark that off my bucket list." I take a seat beside Nik. My heart is still hammering from the fake gazebo waltz.

"The overtly cliché Christmas dance?" Nik asks, grinning.

"Exactly." I admire Nik's curls falling into his eyes. The perfect complement to his midnight shadow. No one has ever worn a beard so well.

"So, Noelle Manger," Nik says, his lips parting just barely.

"So, Nik Demming," I mirror.

"What did you ask for this Christmas?" He asks.

"Besides a quiet, off-the-beaten-track place to hideout from NYC?" I furrow my brow.

"Exactly."

"Nothing," I shrug. "There's nothing more I need."

I truly mean it.

"How about you? More plaid? Or something flannel?"

Nik's eyes crease with laughter, but he shakes his head. "Nothing."

"We finally agree on something." I whisper.

Nik's lips are so close to mine. I can feel my body responding to his proximity.

"It was bound to happen." Nik's palm cups my chin, lifting my lips to his.

The last thing I see is the yellow light dancing on Nik's lips.

...

"It's almost 11 PM. I should walk you home," Nik says.

"The responsible thing to do," I say, biting my lip. All I can think about is cozying up in Nik's cabin!

We walk through the empty school parking lot. It's almost a Christmas ghost town, except for a few walkers still out and about in town. If I listen very carefully, I think I can hear All I Want for Christmas Is You playing inside the corner bar.

"So, when can I see you again?" Nik's abrupt question tears my mind far from Mariah Carey.

"Um," I pause. "Well, tomorrow is Christmas Eve."

"Like I could forget," Nik jokes, eyeing the nearest garland-wrapped lamppost. "Are you going to the Barn Benefit?"

"Like I'd be allowed to miss it." I roll my eyes.

"It's a date then. I can pick you up?" Nik asks, peering surreptitiously.

"I'd like that."

My dad's oversized Star of Pennsylvania comes into view as we turn the last corner onto our street. I rest my head against Nik's shoulder, watching my breath exhale in tiny spirals.

"Reminds me of the first night I drove you home," Nik says.

"Drove?" I tease.

"You know what I mean." Nik smiles beneath his growing beard.

"I do. And it does." My parents' porch is almost in full view. I'm not ready for this perfect night to end!

"I for one am really glad you ditched NYC." Nik squeezes my hand. "I have to admit, this has all been quite unexpected."

"Agreed. An unexpected surprise for sure." I grin.

We stop walking at the end of my driveway.

"Merry Christmas Eve Eve, Noelle."

"Merry Christmas Eve Eve."

I place a palm on Nik's chest to steady myself as I reach up and kiss him goodnight. I pull myself back from him and feel someone else shift beside me. I expect to find my parents or even Stella or maybe Trotter.

"Hi, Noelle."

I shake my head clear and flat-out gasp in the crisp night air.

"Preston?"