Would Nick forgive her is she murdered his sister on his birthday?
“I’m going to kill her,” Nick mumbled.
Noel grinned. “I’ll help you hide the body.”
“Deal.”
When the words popped up on the screen, Nick started in, with Noel just a second behind. Their voices blended perfectly, and before long, they stood facing each other. Caught up in the music, Noel didn’t pull away when Nick took her hand in his, lacing their fingers together. Their voices trailed off on the last word and Noel realized she was pressed against his front, their hands still entwined, lips so close their breaths mingled.
Nick’s head dipped slightly and Noel’s eyes fluttered closed. Time slowed down and a thought flashed through her mind. This is it.
The room burst into thunderous applause and cheers. Although they froze in place, they didn’t break apart.
Chris came into the entryway and stood at the edge of the room. “Soup’s on!”
Everyone jumped off the couches and headed for the kitchen except the two of them. Noel finally tried to break their contact but Nick held fast.
“We need to talk about this.”
“This?” she whispered.
“Yeah.” He waved his free hand between the two of them. “Us.”
“Ooookay,” she dragged out.
“Eat your burger and rendezvous in my bedroom in ten minutes.” He said it in hushed tones, watching the kitchen entryway warily. “If you get caught up, make a noise like an owl.”
Noel giggled. “You’re so stupid.”
“I know, but meet me anyway. Ready…break.”
She followed him into the kitchen for burgers and tots. A fresh green salad with plenty of color, hardly touched, was the first item in the assembly line for food. Nick walked right past it for the buns and Noel scoffed.
“Excuse me. You need something green.”
“Not today, I don’t. It’s my birthday.” He topped his bun with four pieces of crispy bacon and popped a fifth in his mouth, crunching the meat between his teeth with a grin. “I do whatever I want.”
The heat in his gaze created a hormonal reaction in Noel that made her whole body crank up the temperature. Her cheeks, arms. Stomach…everywhere seemed to light up like someone started a fire inside her.
“Fine, I’ll back off. For today.”
They joined the rest of the family at the dining table. Noel took her usual spot across the table from Nick, who had this insanely happy expression on his face. She couldn’t help smiling back at the pure joy on his face.
“So, what’s on deck for the rest of the birthday party, Mom?” Nick asked.
“Food. Games. Drinks. Dessert.”
Anthony raised his beer bottle. “I like the drinks part.”
“Me too.” Pike tapped the neck of his to Anthony’s.
Someone knocked on the front door and everyone looked around.
“Are we expecting anyone else?” Chris asked.
“Not that I’m aware of. Nick?”
“This was your idea, Mom. I didn’t tell anyone.”
Merry got up from the table with a huff. “Relax, I’ll get it.”
She disappeared around the corner. Noel was in the middle of chewing her second bite when Merry came back, looking grim.
“An unwanted guest for Nick,” Merry hissed.
Suddenly, Amber popped up behind Merry, looking abashed. “Oh, I am so sorry to interrupt.”
“Yeah, right,” Holly muttered.
Nick stood up. “Hi, Amber. What are you doing here?”
Amber held up a black and silver wrapped package. “Surprise. I bought it before and…well, I know you said you were doing dinner tonight for your birthday, so I thought I’d bring it to you.”
Noel’s lips thinned. He’d told Amber about his birthday dinner and she’d thought it was okay to just show up?
“Amber, would you like to join us,” Nick’s mom asked politely.
“Oh, thank you Mrs. Winters, but I already ate. Although it looks tasty.”
Amber’s expression completely belied her sweet words, her nose turned up as she eyed Noel’s burger. In response to her obvious disgust, Noel took a huge bite, the wet sensation of condiments on her mouth and chin. She smiled with meat most likely wedged between her teeth.
Amber looked away. Noel heard several male chuckles and caught Pike and Anthony watching her, amused.
“I should let you all get back to it. Nick…would you see me out?” Amber asked.
“Uh, sure.”