“You and me…”
Noel threw up her hands. “Sex, Nick! Our little display at Brews and Chews has the whole town buzzing about us. Not just Amber and Trip but everyone wants to know what’s going on!”
“Whoa, women in labor were asking you what I was like in bed?”
“Yes!”
Nick pulled forward again, a sly smile on his face. “What did you say?”
She glared. “I told them you were amazing, that you’re hung like a donkey and I came four times in ten minutes.”
“No you didn’t. Although…”
“Do not tell me anything, you boob! I explained to them we’d just started dating and hadn’t gone that far yet. Then they asked how far we had gone.”
“Tell anyone that asks it’s none of their business.”
“Believe me, I have, but repeating the same thing over and over is frustrating. I’m about ready to start throwing out ridiculous stories about your prowess just to shut them up.”
Nick rolled down the window to get their coffees and handed one to Noel, sliding the other into his cupholder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put you in an uncomfortable position.”
“I started it. It’s just…I didn’t really think this through.” She cupped the coffee between her hands, seeming to search for the right words. “Where do we go from here? Do we pretend we are dating in public every time we’re together?”
Nick’s heartbeat kicked up a notch. One night of crossing the line with Noel had him thinking all kinds of insane thoughts, but continuing the ruse for weeks? Months?
The idea of being able to kiss Noel whenever he wanted held appeal, and he didn’t know what to make of it. “Do you want to do that?”
“I don’t want things to get complicated, but…I also can’t stand Amber thinking she was right about me being just a rebound.” Noel grinned. “I really like her nose bent out of joint about us.”
“Is that the only reason?” he asked.
Noel blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I’m saying kissing you isn’t a hardship on my part. The truth is, I enjoyed it. And as I’m not sure I’m ready to actually jump back into the dating pool…”
“You want me to be your beard…with benefits?”
Nick couldn’t pinpoint the tone in her voice, but the last thing he wanted was to weird her out or worse, insult her. So he played it off.
“Ah, no! Not like that. If you think about it, we hang out most of the time anyway.” Nick waggled his brows before turning out onto the street. “A little canoodling in front of the locals once in a while shouldn’t be a hardship.”
“Canoodling?” she laughed. “What century are you from?”
“I’m the reincarnated soul of Theodore Drizzle, salesman of fine snake oil,” Nick said, mimicking the craggy voice of an old miner. “Wanna sample my wares, pretty lady?”
“You are such a goob.”
Nick knew she wanted a serious answer from him, but he wasn’t sure about admitting to Noel how much he’d enjoyed their kiss on Saturday. He didn’t want to spook her, especially with her open disdain for relationships. Putting himself out there and asking her about what she was feeling might send her hightailing it for the hills.
The best part about their friendship? They knew what to expect from the other, could nearly finish each other’s thoughts and sentences. Admitting the sexual chemistry from Saturday aloud terrified him, so he kept his tone light. Nonchalant.
“All joking aside, I mean it. If you care what Amber and other people are thinking about us, then why not keep ’em talking until they find something else to gossip about.” And give me a chance to sort through all these new thoughts and sensations.
“Won’t that get confusing? Pretending to be into each other”
“Not for me.” I hope not. If anything, he prayed this would clear things up.
“All right.” Noel held her coffee up to him in a toast. “Here’s to fake dating.”
Nick picked up his cup and tapped it to hers. “Cheers.”
“Now, stop talking. I love this song,” she said, turning up the volume on the mixed CD he’d been playing in the background. NSYNC sang in tandem about romancing the object of their affections under their tree and Noel sang along with them.
The thought of kissing Noel in front of a brightly lit tree popped into his head. Lowering her down to the tree skirt. Kissing his way down her neck.