“Hey, genius, you’re about to get back on the freeway. You need to get over.”
Nick swerved over swiftly and Noel gasped. A series of angry honks erupted behind him.
“What the hell was that?”
“Maybe I need more caffeine too,” he muttered.
“Let’s concentrate on getting both of us to the airport in once piece, all right?”
He nodded, pushing all thoughts of tree kissing out of his head. Maybe he’d take Pike’s advice and download Tinder while he was in Colorado. If he just cleared the pipes, he should stop having sexual fantasies about Noel.
“Hey.” Noel placed her hand on Nick’s leg. “You sure you’re all right?”
“Yep, yep. Just nervous about work.”
“You’re going to kick butt.”
Her hand hadn’t moved from his thigh. In fact, she’d given his knee a little squeeze. It warmed the skin beneath his jeans and suddenly, he wished she’d move it just a little higher…
When she removed her hand, the breath he’d been holding rushed out.
“You good?” she asked.
“Yeah. Great.”
Nick definitely needed to get laid.
Chapter 8
NOEL
Tuesday evening, Noel drove out to the Winters home, parking behind Victoria’s SUV in the driveway. Normally she would be home by now, but Victoria left her a message yesterday asking her to stop by. That it was important.
The stress of said importance bubbled in Noel’s stomach all night and Victoria wouldn’t give her a hint about what this impromptu visit was about, much to Noel’s frustration. As she climbed the stairs to the front porch, she opened the unlocked door and stepped over the threshold.
“Good evening,” she called.
“Hi Noel!” Victoria came into the entryway with her arms out. “Long night, sweetheart?”
She hung up her jacket on the coat rack before giving Victoria a hug. “Yes, but a good one. All my mamas safely delivered healthy babies. Definitely something to celebrate.”
“I’m glad to hear it. You want something to eat or drink? Chris is at a fire board meeting, so it’s just us.”
Noel followed her into the large kitchen, splaying her hands across the tile countertop of the island. Off-white cupboards and a gray-and-white backsplash covered the walls, leaving little space for décor except the space above the sink. Above the gauzy curtains was a long, rectangular sign that read Good Moms Let You Lick the Beater… Great Moms Turn Them Off First. A Mother’s Day present to Victoria from all of them several years ago that was too fitting to pass up.
“I’d love some tea, if you have it. I plan on going to bed after this and if I have any more caffeine, I’ll never close my eyes.”
Victoria bustled to the cupboard and held up a box. “Pick your poison while I heat up the water.”
Noel smirked as she thumbed through the flavors. “Don’t you just set the cup under the spout and push a button?”
“Hush now. You are downplaying the importance of my role.”
“Please forgive my impertinence.” Noel pulled out a lemon pack. “I have found the chosen one.”
Victoria held the pouch in the air with her eyes closed. “Oh honorable chosen one, we sacrifice you to the stomach gods.”
Noel snickered. “You’re in a good mood. Being the week of Thanksgiving, I thought you’d be exhausted getting ready for this weekend.”
“I am tired, but in the best way. Life is good. My baby boy is home, all of my girls are happy…I feel like it needs to be documented.”
“Documented…how?”
“Family pictures! I had the appointment booked for after the New Year, but she had a cancellation for Tuesday, the first, so I took it. She’ll be here at four forty-five and I know you are switching to nights, but can you swing by? It’s only a half an hour.”
“I promised Gabby I’d do some shopping with her that day.” Noel couldn’t take Victoria’s crestfallen expression and added, “But I am sure I’ll have plenty of time to get here.”
“Oh, I am so excited. It has been so long since I’ve had you all here at the same time. I haven’t updated our family picture since your and Nick’s senior year.”
She looked at the framed canvas on the wall. Nick stood between his dad and Noel, with his arm around both of them while Victoria and the girls were on the left. It was taken before Nick’s growth spurt, so he was only an inch taller than Noel. Nick sported a cheesy grin for the camera, while Noel’s lips barely tilted up. She hadn’t wanted to take the picture with them, but Victoria insisted.