“I’m awesome. I actually got an apartment.”
“Really? That’s amazing! Where at?”
“A few doors down from you, actually.”
“Wow that’s…that’s fantastic.” She chuckled weakly. “I’ll have to borrow a cup of sugar when you get settled.”
Crap, was Noel upset he’d rented a place near her? He didn’t think she’d have a problem with it, but maybe with everything going on, she needed space.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you on Thursday, but I was a bit distracted.”
“You don’t have to be sorry. Having you close by will be nice.”
Relief rushed though him and he grinned. “In that case, would you want to come over next Saturday and help me move? The guys will be there.”
“I would, but I’m going with Gabby to do some shopping.”
“Ah, no problem. You can help me unpack.”
Noel gave him a gentle shove. “Excuse you? No asking, just assuming?”
“Please help me unpack my stuff.”
“Maybe.”
He pretended to wipe a tear from his eyes. “That hurts.”
Noel wrapped her arms around his waist with a laugh. “Oh, don’t cry. I’ll help you…for a Klondike bar.”
“Damn, you’re easy. I would have easily thrown in Chinese food.” Nick found himself counting the dark flecks in Noel’s eyes, tracing the lines of her face until his hand came up to cup her cheek.
Her eyes widened, dropping down to the area of his mouth. Then, just as suddenly, she patted his lower back and released him. “We better get inside. Lots of rehearsing to do.”
Nick shook himself out of his trance when Noel passed him, following her into the house. He closed the door behind him, trying not to look at Noel’s ass as she hung up her puffy coat, exposing another pair of butt-hugging jeans. He’d always thought Noel was beautiful, but this obsession with her various body parts was distracting.
He couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her. Her dark hair fell in a messy braid, a stark contrast with the white off-the-shoulder sweater she wore. Casually feminine without being obvious. Noel had always been no frills, which was why hanging with her had always been so easy and enjoyable.
“Ahhh, there you are. Took you long enough.”
“Your brother tried to rope me into manual labor, but I evaded his attempts. For the most part.”
“Hmm, he is quite nefarious when he wants something.”
“Hey, now, no ganging up on me!”
“Speaking of my brother’s attributes, Noel…” Merry batted her eyelashes innocently. “What do you think?”
Noel’s eyes widened. “Think about his…attributes?”
Nick glared at his sister. “Mer, what are you doing?”
“I’m asking her a simple question. What does she think of you?”
Noel glanced between the two of them, her gaze lingering on him briefly before she answered, “I think he is a really good friend.”
“Boring,” Merry scoffed. “I mean, do you ever think of him as a man? Like the two of you could ride off into the sunset together?”
Noel’s face turned cherry red and Nick growled, “For the love of God, Merry, shut up.”
“No, it’s okay.” Noel went to the fridge and grabbed a water inside, obviously over her initial embarrassment. “I think your brother is handsome, intelligent, fun, stubborn, annoying, and my best friend.”
Merry’s face fell. “So, no attraction then?”
Nick caught her nervous glance. “We’re just friends.”
Friends don’t kiss like we do, he thought.
Thankfully, his sister didn’t pick up on the tension between them and huffed. “Fine. I figured if you two could make a love connection, then all your problems would be solved. Nick could find a great girl to settle down with and we could officially call you a Winters.”
Noel’s eyes glistened for a minute and Nick knew his sister’s words hit a sore spot, no matter how unintentional. “That is really sweet.” She cleared her throat. “I need to use the bathroom.”
Nick glared at Merry, who stared back, eyes wide. “What did I say?”
“You don’t talk about family with Noel.”
Merry’s eyes lowered, abashed. “Oh. I didn’t think. It’s been so long…”
“Not for her.” Nick squeezed Merry’s shoulder as he passed. “I know you meant well, Mer.”