Page 27
EVIE
Then, Monday, December 25, seventeen years ago
Evie’s breathing stuttered, but the same couldn’t be said for her mind, which launched into action mode.
You’ve rehearsed this a hundred times: no staring, no swooning, and no stupid fangirl questions!
Swallowing hard, she hugged Sunita’s boozy bottle and swung toward Nick. Hair perfectly disheveled, lips slightly parted, shining eyes trained on her…
“Hi Evie.” Deeper than she remembered and a little husky, Nick’s voice wound around her like a warm, velvety hug. “Happy Christmas.”
Sunita blinked upward. “Great,” she muttered.
Tingling waves flooded Evie’s chest, washing away her somber attitude. Forget a phone under the tree; her perfect present came wrapped in a black, single-breasted cashmere coat. “Hey! Happy Christmas!” She beamed as each ecstatic thump of her heart chipped away at her long-practiced cool.
“It’s great to find a friendly face!” said Nick.
Sunita, ever the pragmatist to Evie’s lovestruck fangirl, offered an icy nod. “I’m Sunita, Evie’s best mate.”
Jeez, Sun! She bit back her inner cringe.
Dimples deepening, apparently Nick wasn’t bothered by Sunita’s aloof welcome. “Lovely to meet you. How’s your Christmas been so far?”
“Great!” Evie jumped in. Better than great—now. She beamed. “You?”
“Same, yeah,” said Nick. “Presents, home bakes, board games—what’s not to love?”
“Ooh, I love games,” said Evie. “What’s your favorite?”
“All of ’em! I’m a game geek. But if forced to pick, I’d choose Snakes and Ladders, and Kerplunk. Oh, and Jenga. What about you?”
“Mouse Trap. Always.”
“A classic, nice!” Nick’s eyes detoured to the large bottle in Evie’s grasp as he tucked his phone away in a pocket. “Is it okay if I join your party?”
Sunita stiffened.
He could be with anyone, but he chose US! Evie bounced. “Of course!” She passed him the effervescent concoction. “But I should warn you, it contains—”
“Booze? Great!” Nick took a long pull on the bottle then shuddered through his swallow. “Whoa!” His face scrunched. “That’s got a kick!”
Evie laughed, dragging her gaze down Nick’s frame. He’s taller! Towering above with legs that went on forever, he had to be at least six glorious feet now. His chest and shoulders also seemed broader, more filled out, making Evie blush over what else of Nick’s might’ve matured.
While he worked through his wince, she tugged off her mittens and squirreled the embarrassing knitting project in her pockets.
“Cheers, Evie.” Nick licked his lips and handed back the bottle.
“Say the word if you want more.” Evie glanced happily at Sunita. Jutting out her chin, she was uncharacteristically quiet. Not a good sign.
“Music to my ears.” Nick leaned into Evie. “Like your accent.”
“My what?”
“Your accent,” Nick repeated as Sunita did a double take. “It’s way cool.”
A laugh burst from Evie. “Are you drunk?!”
“No, really! It’s fab and sing-songy, kinda like Welsh,” said Nick. “I never really thought about it before, being around my gran and dad, but now that I’m learning dialects for my acting CV, I’ve realized how tough the Orcadian accent is to master.”
