“Noel, come get a plate!” Victoria called.
Noel headed around the big kitchen island and snagged a piece of sausage. When Victoria tried to shove a plate in her hands, Noel set it back down and kissed Victoria’s cheek. “Thanks, but I should go. I hate to eat and run, but I’ve got a work thing.”
Victoria huffed. “Really? You can’t stay and eat more than a link?”
“Wish I could, but it’s mandatory. I didn’t realize how late it was and my boss will come for me if I try to sneak in.”
“Well, let me at least make you a Tupperware to take with you.” She poked Noel in the collarbone. “You’ve lost so much weight I could snap you in half.”
Victoria told her the same thing every time she shared a meal with the Winterses. She’d stopped arguing with her long ago and simply smiled.
“That would be great, thanks.” Noel watched Nick reach into his back pocket and pull out his phone. From the frown on his face, Noel assumed Amber hadn’t responded.
It didn’t surprise Noel in the slightest. She hadn’t wanted to stir things up, but she’d seen Amber hanging around a few guys over the years. She couldn’t say for sure if something was going on, but she had a feeling they weren’t quilting buddies. Nick seemed blind when it came to Amber. Guess it had to do with her big blue eyes and impressive rack. Amazing as Nick was, he wasn’t above being a total guy.
Noel didn’t need to be the messenger that brought about her bestie’s broken heart.
Victoria held out the large tub of food, frowning. “I really wish you could stay. We don’t see enough of you.”
Guilt niggled at Noel. She needed to make more of an effort to see them. Maybe after the holidays, when her emotions weren’t running so high. “I’m sorry, duty calls. I’ll see you all later.”
“I’ll hold you to it,” Victoria responded sternly.
Noel embraced her. “I will.”
“Fine, go, be free.”
Noel made her way around the counter and crossed into the living room where everyone else sat eating. She bent over the back of Chris’s chair and hugged him. Though a mouthful of food, he mumbled, “You leavin’？”
“Yeah, I have a work meeting.”
“Well, have a good day. We love you.”
The words stirred to life memories of different faces, smiling and echoing the same words. Raw emotions clogged her throat. “I love you all too.”
Merry and Holly gave her double fist bumps over the back of the couch, but Nick climbed to his feet and caught her at the door. “I’ll walk you out.”
Noel waved one more time before she stepped out the door. She watched Nick bend over, rummaging through his duffle through the open doorway.
“Hey! You’re letting all the cold air out! Were you born in a barn?” Victoria hollered from inside.
“Geez, I’m going!” He pulled it shut with a boom, one hand held behind his back. The space between his eyes was knit with concern as he asked, “You okay?”
Noel released a shaky breath. “Yeah, just been a while since we’ve all been together. A little overwhelming.”
Nick placed a hand on her shoulder. “I know it isn’t easy for you during the holidays, but maybe this will help.” He brought his arm around and held out a CD. “I made you a holiday survival playlist.”
Noel took the CD, grinning down at the face of it. He’d doodled a Christmas tree, holly berries, and a snowman in colored sharpie. Noel’s Christmas Playlist was scrawled around the middle circle.
“You are so old-school with your mixed CDs. Get with the times, man.”
“Hey, I bought stacks of them for ninety percent off and I’m going to use every single one!” He squeezed her upper arm. “I just wanted to make you smile.”
Noel appreciated Nick’s concern. Their shared love of music remained a constant bright spot, even after her world crumbled ten years ago.
“Thanks. I’ll pop it in on my way to work.”
“I’d suggest starting with number seven. Really get yourself grooving.” He tried to dance, but his moves were awkward and spastic.
“You are a goober.”
“An adorable goober.” Nick leaned over and brushed his lips across her cheek. Unexpected tingles laced along her skin and she stilled.
“Have a good day at work. I’m going to get back in there before my sisters eat all the food.”
She cleared her throat. “Have fun. I’ll see you tonight.”