Page 37 of Naughty or Nice?
“It’s too messy. How would family events work? I won’t be responsible for making things difficult for Nate and the rest of the family.”
“So don’t be, darling. Don’t you get it?” He palms both of my shoulders and eases me backward as he steps past the threshold into the house. “You’ve done nothing wrong. You’re a single woman who’s allowed to do what she wants. You made a choice he doesn’t like. But it was also his choice to let you go.”
“I know…” I sigh, closing my eyes.
“It’s in your head. You’re demonizing yourself.”
What Nicholas says rings true—I’m internalizing the situation. I’m acting as if I still should have loyalty to Nate. The insults he hurled at me didn’t help. They confirmed what I was already feeling. Deep guilt and shame.
I glance down at the flowers Nicholas has brought me. “You know, Nate’s never brought me flowers before.”
“For the record, I taught him better than that.”
“We can…” I pause to really collect myself. “We can take things slow?”
Nicholas grins and reaches out to grab my hand in his. “What did I tell you? Of course we can.”
“And Nate?”
“He’s welcome back to the family any time he wants. But it’s his decision to make. Just like it’s yours to join us for the rest of the holiday.”
“Me? With you and the family?”
“Amy and Jennifer are excited to bake those cookies you told them about.”
I laugh. “This whole trip is surreal. It doesn’t even feel like real life.”
“Call it a Christmas miracle,” he teases with a wink. “It didn’t turn out like you expected, but sometimes those are the best holidays.”
“Definitely the most memorable.”
Come later in the evening, I’m seated around the table with the rest of the Whittler family. Christmas dinner has been served, and everyone digs into the special feast. Nicholas was right that the family wanted me here. They’ve done nothing but go out of their way to make sure I’m comfortable and fitting in.
It’s almost as if the breakup and tryst didn’t happen at all.
Except for Nate’s absence. The chair that would’ve been his is empty. The placemat untouched.
He hasn’t shown his face in hours. Cousin Frank claims he spoke to him a couple hours ago, and he mentioned spending the holiday with Rosa.
I can’t help glancing at the empty chair and vaguely wondering if Nate will ever come around. He might be so prideful he’ll refuse even as the rest of the family moves on.
Nicholas clutches my hand at the table, out in the open. His warm touch pulls my mind off Nate. My gaze meets his as he gives my hand a squeeze.
“He’s made his decision, darling.”
“I know,” I mouth.
He brings our clasped hands up to his lips and presses a kiss onto the back of mine.
Amy catches sight and makes a softawwwsound from her throat. “Dad, you’re such a romantic!”
The others around the table laugh, including the two of us.
“Guilty as charged,” he admits. “How do you think I won her over in the first place?”
The sound of chatter and clanging silverware takes over. I lean closer so only Nicholas can hear.
“Very romantic,” I say. “And then there’s St. Nick…”