“You look good like this,” he praised.
Nicky smiled at him. “I feel good.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” He drew Nicky into a strong embrace so he could hold the boy close to his heart. This might just be the beginning but Law was already committed to keeping that special smile on his face. This holiday season was turning out to be the best of his life. Maybe Nicky and Liam had something right with their excitement for Christmas. Law just needed to figure out how to get more garland and giggles to last him through the cold winter.
Chapter Five
Nicky
With his laptop on the kitchen counter, Nicky checked another item off his list. Planning the Christmas celebration for all his friends had seemed like such a good idea at the time. Nicky had the space to host and with his office closed for the next two weeks, he should have had plenty of time. He was clearly a glutton for punishment, because who would volunteer for this much stress?
The final grocery order needed to be completed and sent in.
Nicky had ordered most of the main food to be delivered on Christmas Eve. Still were some things that he needed from the store. Like wine. Did they need wine? Nicky was fairly sure that most people ordered wine. At least that was what his caterer had informed him. Except he didn’t drink, so he didn’t know what kind to purchase.
He continued to scroll through the wine listings as his phone buzzed.
Absently he saw the notification of a visitor and accepted before he went back to scrolling. Red or white? He’d tried using Google only to receive the response that both would pair fine with a turkey. How was that a good answer? Nicky huffed. And why were there so many choices?
Damn! Nicky froze. What if someone had an allergy to something that he’d ordered? Nicky picked up his phone to text Liam when someone knocked on his front door.
He didn’t have time to deal with a visitor! Who would even be there? Nicky had so much still to do before he had to get ready for his date with Law later that night. His goal had been to get at least half his list done so he could enjoy his evening. If people didn’t constantly put him on hold or give him theirsuggestionson what else he needed. Nicky knew that they were just trying to be helpful, but it was stressing him out!
Nicky started the text to his bestie as he strode toward the front door. He would get rid of whoever was there and… He yanked open the door to blink at Law standing on his front porch.
“Hey,” Law said with a warm smile.
Nicky frowned. “What are you doing here?”
Law’s smile fell. “We have a date?” It came out as a question.
“Yeah, at seven.” Nicky waved his phone around. “Obviously I’m not ready.” He glanced past Law’s shoulder to find that it was dark outside. “Wait!” Looking down at the phone in his hand, he realized that he had no idea what time it was. Six fifty. It was six fifty?
“Nicky?” Law said his name quietly.
“How?” Nicky asked his phone. The damn thing had to be lying to him. Except it was dark outside and Law was standing in front of him. Lifting his hands, he dug his fingers into his hair and screamed.
“Nicky!”
His hands were yanked from his hair and strong arms wrapped around him.
Nicky buried his face in Law’s soft sweater. He couldn’t believe that he’d totally screwed up! Waking up that morning, Nicky had been so excited about his date. After his shower, he’d even set out a very nice outfit to wear when Law picked him up. Not the pair of threadbare gray sweatpants or the oversized old college hoodie he currently wore.
“It’s okay,” Law murmured. “I got you. It’s all okay.”
“I messed up,” Nicky said miserably. Like that wasn’t obvious.
“It’s fine.” Law drew back to peer down at him. “Did you lose track of time?”
“Lose track of time?” Nicky screeched. “Where the hell did the last four hours go?”
“I don’t know, baby, where did they go?” Law asked.
Nicky huffed.
“Let’s try this.” Law released him and Nicky did not like that at all. He wanted to be back in Law’s arms. Being held by Law just made all the jagged pieces inside him smooth out. Instead, Law crossed back to the front door to close and lock it.
Oh! That was probably smart. Nicky had just had a little meltdown with his front door wide open. No big deal or anything. What was wrong with him? No! He knew what was wrong. There was too much to do!
