Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist (Mistletoe Romance #1)(5)

Besides, even if she’d been genuinely attracted to Nick, she’d never make a move. No use destroying twenty-plus years of friendship when she already knew marriage and kids weren’t in the cards for her. Two things Noel knew her best friend definitely wanted.

Probably why he’d held onto this pseudo relationship with Amber for so long. His parents were married young and still very much in love. She couldn’t blame him for wanting the same thing.

While her parents also shared a deep and abiding love, the thought of marrying anyone left Noel sweaty with panic. It’s why she kept things casual and easy. Like what she had with Trip Douglas. Hot, heavy, and no complications. All of her relationships were this way and she enjoyed the simplicity. If you didn’t get attached, you couldn’t get hurt.

Noel checked the clock on her phone. She’d wanted to stay and eat with them, but she had a mandatory staff meeting at the hospital in an hour. Afterwards, she’d be free. Most weeks she worked 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, but after Thanksgiving she’d be on nights. At least she had the next two days off. Noel was supposed to hang with Nick and the guys tonight and she couldn’t wait to get the gang back together.

Unless Nick wants to hang with his girl instead. Or invite her to tag along.

Noel wrinkled her nose at the thought. Since the end of high school, Noel and Amber kept their distance unless unavoidable. The fact that she had to share her two favorite people, Nick and her closest girlfriend, Gabby Montoya, with the bane of her teenaged years, burned her potatoes.

“Noel, come get a plate!” Victoria called.

Noel headed around the big kitchen island and snagged a piece of sausage. When Victoria tried to shove a plate in her hands, Noel set it back down and kissed Victoria’s cheek. “Thanks, but I should go. I hate to eat and run, but I’ve got a work thing.”

Victoria huffed. “Really? You can’t stay and eat more than a link?”

“Wish I could, but it’s mandatory. I didn’t realize how late it was and my boss will come for me if I try to sneak in.”

“Well, let me at least make you a Tupperware to take with you.” She poked Noel in the collarbone. “You’ve lost so much weight I could snap you in half.”

Victoria told her the same thing every time she shared a meal with the Winterses. She’d stopped arguing with her long ago and simply smiled.

“That would be great, thanks.” Noel watched Nick reach into his back pocket and pull out his phone. From the frown on his face, Noel assumed Amber hadn’t responded.

It didn’t surprise Noel in the slightest. She hadn’t wanted to stir things up, but she’d seen Amber hanging around a few guys over the years. She couldn’t say for sure if something was going on, but she had a feeling they weren’t quilting buddies. Nick seemed blind when it came to Amber. Guess it had to do with her big blue eyes and impressive rack. Amazing as Nick was, he wasn’t above being a total guy.

Noel didn’t need to be the messenger that brought about her bestie’s broken heart.

Victoria held out the large tub of food, frowning. “I really wish you could stay. We don’t see enough of you.”

Guilt niggled at Noel. She needed to make more of an effort to see them. Maybe after the holidays, when her emotions weren’t running so high. “I’m sorry, duty calls. I’ll see you all later.”

“I’ll hold you to it,” Victoria responded sternly.

Noel embraced her. “I will.”

“Fine, go, be free.”

Noel made her way around the counter and crossed into the living room where everyone else sat eating. She bent over the back of Chris’s chair and hugged him. Though a mouthful of food, he mumbled, “You leavin’?”

“Yeah, I have a work meeting.”

“Well, have a good day. We love you.”

The words stirred to life memories of different faces, smiling and echoing the same words. Raw emotions clogged her throat. “I love you all too.”

Merry and Holly gave her double fist bumps over the back of the couch, but Nick climbed to his feet and caught her at the door. “I’ll walk you out.”

Noel waved one more time before she stepped out the door. She watched Nick bend over, rummaging through his duffle through the open doorway.

“Hey! You’re letting all the cold air out! Were you born in a barn?” Victoria hollered from inside.

“Geez, I’m going!” He pulled it shut with a boom, one hand held behind his back. The space between his eyes was knit with concern as he asked, “You okay?”

Noel released a shaky breath. “Yeah, just been a while since we’ve all been together. A little overwhelming.”

Nick placed a hand on her shoulder. “I know it isn’t easy for you during the holidays, but maybe this will help.” He brought his arm around and held out a CD. “I made you a holiday survival playlist.”

Noel took the CD, grinning down at the face of it. He’d doodled a Christmas tree, holly berries, and a snowman in colored sharpie. Noel’s Christmas Playlist was scrawled around the middle circle.

“You are so old-school with your mixed CDs. Get with the times, man.”

“Hey, I bought stacks of them for ninety percent off and I’m going to use every single one!” He squeezed her upper arm. “I just wanted to make you smile.”