AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Twelve and a half.”
Right after his mother left. A time when he needed to feel wanted and special. Her heart clenched on preteen James’s behalf. Being abandoned by her parents sucked. Still, James had something she didn’t, and she needed to point that out. “He came eventually. I know it doesn’t sound like much,” she said when he snorted, “but I would have killed for even that much parental attention.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you got the better end of the deal. At least you knew where you stood from the start.”
“More like where I didn’t stand. My parents were out of my life from day one. So long as your father is around, you still have hope for a relationship.”
Up until then, the two of them had been strolling the sidewalk. Now James stopped to look at her and for a moment, Noelle saw the twelve-year-old boy who’d been struggling to keep his hurt at bay. “Why hope for something that won’t happen?”
And yet he did hope. She saw how his eyes flashed when she’d suggested his father might be worried.
“Never say never,” she replied. “You can call me naive, but there’s always hope. Look at me. For years, I burnt my Christmas wish on wanting a family, and then the Frybergs came into my life and poof! My wish came true.”
“What do you wish for now?”
“I—” She resumed walking. “We’re talking about you, remember?”
“We’re also talking about hopes and dreams. You said you used to wish for a family. Since your wish was granted, you must hope for something else. What is it?”
“Peace on earth.”
“I’m serious,” he said.
“So am I.” Every year, she, like every Fryberg’s employee, filled out her Christmas wish list, and asked for large, conceptual things like peace or good health for all. There was no need for her to hope for anything personal. After all, hadn’t she’d gotten everything she wanted when she’d become Noelle Fryberg? What more could she want?
James took her hand.
“This conversation is getting way too serious,” he said. “Today is supposed to be about you getting the New York Christmas Experience. What did you think of the show?”
Noelle shook off her somberness with a laugh. “I loved it.” She loved how he described the day with capital letters more. “If I were six inches taller, I’d start practicing my high kicks so I could audition.”
“That’s something I’d pay to see—you kicking your leg past your ears. I had no idea you were that limber,” he added, leaning in to her ear.
Noelle’s knees nearly buckled. It wasn’t fair, the way he could lower his voice to the exact timbre to zap her insides. “Who said anything about ears? Waist-high is more like it.
“’S’all a moot point anyway,” she added. “With my size, I’d be more likely to get cast as one of the elves.”
“And a right adorable one at that.”
Noelle tried to shove him with her shoulder. Unfortunately, the impact had no effect. Instead, she found herself trapped against his side when he snaked his hand around her waist. The position left her arm no choice but to respond in kind and slip her arm around his waist, as well.
“I mean it,” he said, adding a side hug for good measure. “First thing I thought when I saw you was that you were Belinda’s attack elf. So much feistiness in such a tiny package.”
“I’m not sure if I should be flattered or actually try to attack you,” she replied. With her luck, she’d end up wrapped in both his arms.
“Definitely flattered,” he told her. “My second thought was I didn’t know elves could be so beautiful. Are your knees all right?”
They wouldn’t be if he kept purring compliments in her ear. “Careful,” she purred back. “Keep up the sweet talk, and I’ll get a big head.”
“You deserve one. I’ve never met a woman like you, Noelle.”
“You must not get out much.”
Once more, he stopped, this time to wrap a second arm around her. Noelle found herself in his embrace. Heavy-lidded heat warmed her face as his eyes travelled to her mouth. “I’m not joking,” he said. “You’re an original.”
If this were Fryberg, his features would have been hidden by the early darkness, but being the city that never slept, she could see his dilating pupils beneath his lashes. Their blackness sucked the breath from her lungs. She parted her lips, but couldn’t take more than a shallow breath. Her racing heart blocked the air from going farther.
“I want to kiss you,” she heard him say. “Right here, on this sidewalk. I don’t care if people stare or make rude comments. I need to kiss you. I’ve wanted to since I—”
