“I raided Mom’s hoarder closet.” He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He pulled a square case from the basket and sang, “Plus a crappy day plaaaaylissst.”
“God, how much coffee have you had?”
They took off for the kitchen and set the supplies on the counter. “Would you believe none?”
“No.” She pulled out the cereal and marshmallow fluff, shaking one in each hand. “I’m having lucky treats, I’m having lucky treats, I’m having lucky treats today…hey…hey!” she sing-songed.
“Unless you burn them.”
“That only happened once!” Noel took the rest of the items out of the bag, sneering at a box of Cocoa Pebbles. “Ew.”
“Hey, stop dogging my pebbles. They make milk chocolatey delicious.”
Noel laughed, coming up alongside him to peer into his basket. “You know you didn’t have to do this, right? I’m a big girl.”
“I know, but I wanted to. It’s what we do, right? Figure out ways to make the other person feel better.” He bumped her hip with his. “It’s kinda our thang. Remember when I broke my leg riding Darren Wilson’s dirt bike in eighth grade? It was the first day of summer. Your mom dropped you off every morning and you took care of me for two months until I got my cast off.”
“Ugh, that was terrible. You were such a baby.”
“I was a tough kid! My mom said so.”
Noel snickered. “Well, she lied because I almost smothered you with a pillow several times when your whining got to be too much.”
Nick wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her tight and lifting her off the ground. Their faces mere inches away.
“Take it back or I start tickling.”
“Fine, fine! I take it back.” He set her back on her feet and she stuck her tongue out. “Bully.”
“Oh yeah, I’m so mean to you.”
“No, you’re amazing.” She hugged him hard. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Nick hesitated, finally clearing his throat. “Do you want to talk about it?”
The words echoed through her mind, remembering the night her parents died. She’d stayed in the Winterses’ spare bedroom, but she couldn’t sleep. Finally, she crossed the hallway to Nick’s room. He’d sat up when she opened the door, shirtless and bleary eyed. In the dim hall light, she’d watched as he held his arms out and she’d closed the door. Crawling into his bed, they’d laid there, arms wrapped around each other.
“Wanna talk about it?”
She’d burst into tears, wracking sobs that lasted hours. Nick didn’t ask her again, just rubbed her back and let her grieve.
“I just hate losing people.”
“I know.” Nick held her closer and her head dropped to his chest. Noel breathed in the scent of pine, smiling through silent tears.
“Has anyone ever told you that you smell like Christmas?”
“I was named after Ol’ Saint Nick, so that makes sense.”
She released a wet laugh against his sweatshirt, wiping it down with her palm. “Sorry for falling apart on you.”
“Never apologize for your emotions, Noel. The way you care for other people is what makes you an amazing nurse.”
“How do you know I’m amazing?” she whispered.
“Well, I’ve had my own experiences with your awesomeness, but it’s not just me. I’ve bumped into a few fine citizens who sing your praises.”
Noel shook her head in disbelief. Nick was the nice one. Unless they worked at the hospital, most people gave her a wide berth.
“What do you mean? Who?”
“People think we’re together, remember? Apparently, you’re pretty popular around here.”
“No I’m not. You’re the one everyone likes. I’m a snarky asshole.”
“Not to everyone. Sarah Wilcox and her husband said you kept them calm while they worked on their daughter. Gretchen Meyers threatened my sack if I wasn’t good to you! Mckensie Wilkson called you a godsend when she was in labor. That’s a direct quote.” Nick cupped her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. “So anytime you want to talk about something at work, good or bad, I’m here to listen.”
Noel’s eyes filled up with tears again and she sniffled. “Fuck, now I’m crying again.”
Nick chuckled. “Ah, what an undercover softy you are.”
“Don’t tell anyone, okay?”