Page 58 of Naughty-ish

“I told you I needed to find a gift you couldn’t shake and guess what’s inside before you opened it.”

Confused, I spin to face him. Suddenly, a fan hums to life and the room fills with tiny shreds of paper, like a slow exploding confetti gun.

Nick feeds the fan again, and more pieces dance around me.

“What is this?” I laugh as I look up at the paper floating about, lifting my hands, and watching bits fall against my palms, realizing the slivers aren’t shreds but miniature paper snowflakes.

“The night we stood on the patio at the fundraiser, you mentioned a snow globe and freezing time. I’m not quite that powerful, Holliday. But I’d like my time to be spent with you.”

My head lowers and I watch him through the shower fluttering inside the greenhouse.

“You got the wrong idea about that list and I’m sorry you misunderstood. You are not a project to me.” Nick pauses then tilts his head. “Or maybe you are. There’s something between us and I want to build and nurture it. I want it to grow.”

He sets another clump of mini snowflakes in his hand free before the fan and steps up to me, cupping the sides of my face.

My heart clangs in my chest like ringing Christmas bells.

“I’m sorry you didn’t hear from me last week. I worked and then took on an extra shift so I could have a day free when your kids were home. But I should have called. I should have explained myself. I just didn’t want to rush you or pressure you or . . .” He huffs and tilts back his head. “I’m not good at speaking the emotional stuff.”

“I think you’re doing okay.” I mean, he built me a snow globe. He’s doing something to show me how he feels. His love language was clearly giving gifts and doing service.

His head instantly lowers. “I want us to be an us.”

My eyes widened, surprised by the sudden directness. Thrilled a little, too. “I’m complicated, Nick. A package deal with Eloise and Nash.”

“I know, and I like that even more.” His thumbs stroke my cheeks. “Your kids are great. That’s because of you, what you are building with them in your new home. And I just want a sliver of that newness, that fresh start.”

I recall him telling me that all he’d done for me might not be about me.

“I don’t even cut my own grass or shovel my drive.”

“That’s what I’m here for.” He leans forward rubbing his surprisingly warm nose against mine.

“Is that all you’re here for, though?” To help me out.

His thumbs slip beneath my chin and tip up my head, forcing me to meet his gaze. “No, honey. I’m here because I need you. And I want to be there for you, however you’ll have me.”

“I don’t have a fireplace,” I whisper, still arguing against us being together when being with him is really all I want.

He chuckles. “We’ll work that out. We. Us. Together.”

“I’m unemployed, Nick.” I drop my gaze from his face. Embarrassed. Disappointed in myself.

But Nick refuses to let me look away. His thumbs prompt my chin up again. “And you’ll find a new job. A better one. One that suits you.”

Eyes meeting his, I say, “You make it sound so simple.”

“It can be. Believe, Holliday. Not just in this season, but all the year through. Believe in good things for yourself. You’re a good person and you deserve the best.”

He stares at me like he wants to imprint the thoughts into my head. I deserve what I want, and I want him.

I lick my lips. “Can I show you something? It’s at my house.”

His mouth quirks up at the corner, his brow arching to match. His voice drops. “I’d love to see it.”

Seduction fills his face and I laugh to myself. While I wouldn’t mind a repeat of our night by his fireplace together, what I have to show him isn’t that.

I hope he isn’t disappointed.