Page 10 of Naughty-ish

“What?”

He swipes at my nose this time and brings his finger back to his mouth, taking his time to suck at the tip before popping it free. “You had whip cream on your nose again.”

“If you hadn’t already noticed, I can be kind of a hot mess at times.”

“No mess.” He watches me. “Just hot.”

I laugh. He’s so smooth with the lines but he’s also full of coal. Nick has naughty-ish written all over him, and admittedly, I’d like him to write a little bit of it on me.

Could I visit his house? Would his fireplace warm me? Would he? If he wants to share a drink with me, would I really be his flavor?

On that thought, I guzzle the remainder of my drink, drowning out my horny thoughts.

“So, what’s on your shopping list?”

“Oh.” I shift my purse and rummage through the chaos inside, pulling out a few receipts and several lists, laying the thin strip of paper on the table.

“You know, most people make lists in their phone,” he teases.

“Yeah, well, I still like paper and pens.”

“Colored ones, I see.” Nick tips a brow and I look down to see a short list written in red and green marker.

“I—” I stare at the To-Do list I’d made the night I was answering Eloise’s note to our elf. I’d already forgotten about it as I put it in my purse with the gift list. However, the To-Do list has a word crossed off and simply states: A Holiday DO list.

Nick’s fingers press against the list, and he slides it toward him. “What’s this?”

He scans the list before reading aloud the points. “Buy presents.” He lifts his head. “But you’ve crossed off buy and wrote in be.”

I shrug. “I guess I was hoping for a new tradition. Christmas is really for children and shopping is kind of a drag. With our new circumstances, I wanted to do more things. Be more present not just give my kids toys.”

Nick watches me. “Christmas isn’t about age. It’s to remind us to be young at heart.”

“Well, I’m missing the youthful joy this year.” I don’t mean to sound like such a downer but I’m just not feeling the fa-la-la-la.

Nick stares down at the list again, forehead furrowing. “You took your kids to the breakfast.”

“That’s just it. I was at the breakfast, but I wasn’t present with them. Mitch got to sit at the table with the kids while I worked.” And my kids didn’t look very excited with their father in charge.

Nick looks up at me and nods. “Okay. So, what else is on the list?” He glances down and reads out loud the remaining items and my modifications.

“Wrap gifts. Wrap someone in a hug.”

“Send gifts. Send Peace.”

“Shop for food. Donate food.”

“Make cookies. Make love.” He pauses and glances up at me again, a brow arching once more.

My face heats. It’s certainly been a while regarding that last point.

The list isn’t exactly comprehensive nor is it a mission statement. It’s simply a list where I marked off the things written in green to modify them in red.

“See the lights.” Nick reads the final item and looks at me again, those eyes intense once more. “Be the light.”

Unease colors my cheeks, and I slide the list toward me before folding it in half. “I’d seen something like this list on Instagram or Pinterest or somewhere creative like that. I guess I was just playing around with the words after I made my initial list.” I don’t know why I’m defending myself.

“It’s a great Do list.” Sincerity fills his voice, but I’m still unsettled that he read it, as if it’s a secret journal entry and I don’t even journal.