She stood at the end of the hallway in a red, shimmering dress. The off-the-shoulder and sweetheart neckline showed just a hint of cleavage. The dress nipped in at the waist and flared out to just above her knees, highlighting her long, smooth legs. Simple black flats adorned her feet and they were in contrast with the fancy, familiar feel of the dress.
She’d pinned her dark hair back from her face, and it fell in dark curls over her shoulders.
“Well?”
Nick crossed the hallway to her, cupping her cheek in his palm. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you. It’s the dress my mother wore to the concert every year. Is that weird?”
“Considering this concert is about honoring her and your dad, no. I think it’s fitting.”
Noel took the tongues of his tie, lowering her gaze, but not before he caught the shimmer of tears. “I’m so nervous, I feel like I may be sick.”
“Nope, as my sisters will remind you, nausea related to performing is my forte. You stop trying to steal my stuff.”
Noel finished his tie and used it to pull him down for a kiss. “So no more borrowing your T-shirts, then?”
“There are some exceptions. Especially when you look so good in them and nothing else on.”
Noel moved away from his wandering hands. “Uh-uh. I need to go apply some lipstick and then we need to go. If we’re late because we wind up back in bed, your mother will murder us both.”
Nick waggled his brow. “I think it may be worth it.”
“Not today, Satan!” She backed into the bedroom and he chuckled, heading to the front door to shrug into his suit jacket.
When she came out in her black dress coat and black clutch, he couldn’t believe they were here and she was here.
“You’re sure you don’t want to test my mother’s wrath and go back into the bedroom.”
“I promise you all kinds of hot, sexy times tonight, but right now, it’s about my parents. I will not be late to an event in their honor.”
Nick took her hand, leading her out the door and down the stairs to the truck. He’d used the remote start to defrost and warm up the cab, so when she climbed inside, it was toasty warm.
“Hurry up, Nick.”
“I’m hurrying!” He shut the door on her and jogged around, keeping his promise as he got them to the community center a half an hour before they were scheduled to go on stage. They took the steps two at a time, pushing through the doors and almost whacking his mother in the face.
“Oh, good! You’re here.” Victoria’s eyes widened as she looked Noel over from head to toe. “Oh honey, is that your mother’s dress?”
“Yes. I found it in a garment bag below a bunch of Christmas decorations.”
“Well, you look just as lovely in it as she did. What a perfect way to honor her.”
“Thank you.”
Victoria waved them all the way in. “Go ahead backstage and get set up. I’ll find you afterward. I hope you like the memorial.”
“I’m sure I will,” Noel murmured.
“Come on, Noel. We’ve got twenty minutes.”
Victoria hugged Noel one last time, before letting Nick lead her away to the stage area. Sonia, the event manager, waited with their mics. She put Noel’s on first, making sure it sounded clear.
“You’re good to go.”
Noel formed her hands into a heart and blew him a kiss. “I’m going to go find your sisters really quick and get their approval. Be back in a bit.”
“What do you need them for? I already told you how beautiful you are.”
“Yes, but you’re biased.”
Nick shook his head, grinning at Sonia. “You saw her. Am I wrong?”
“No, you are absolutely right. She is breathtaking. Reminds me of her mother.” She taped his mic onto his cheek and secured the belt around his waist.
“Sing something for me?”
Nick sang a few bars of “Must Be Santa” and Sonia gave him a thumbs up.
“Break a leg.”
“I’ll do my best.” Nick tried to shake the butterflies in his stomach as he peeked between the curtains into the packed community center. Nearly the whole damn town was there. He knew it would be a packed good turnout, but the reality of it still jarred him a bit.
“Hey, you okay?” Noel asked, coming up beside him.
“Yeah, just picturing the audience in their underwear.”
Noel laughed, looping her arms around his neck. “You’re gonna be great.”