by AC Netzel
After hitting the curb four times, I parallel park my car on Main Street and head to Boughs Bakery to purchase a fruitcake. It seems like a natural conversation starter in this odd little town. They’re inexplicably obsessed with this dessert—if you can call it that. My hope is that the way to Nick’s signature is through his stomach.
Walking at my usual New York stride, I practically fly past the slow-moving locals on the sidewalk. I stop and do a double-take when I spot something from the corner of my eye displayed in a festively decorated storefront window. How did I miss this yesterday?
“Come to Momma,” I purr seductively to a pair of black ankle-high lace-up stiletto boots in a dress shop window. I glance above and read the sign…
Hark! Apparel Angel’s Things
Yeah.
Whatever.
The name may be as strange as the town it sits in, but there’s nothing strange about those boots.
Should I waste time shopping when I have more pressing matters? Nope.
Is that going to stop me? Absolutely not.
I should bite the big girl bullet and face him instead of procrastinating. But my nerves are killing my stomach, and retail therapy is equivalent to popping an antacid.
It’s a holistic cure—like meditation or green tea.
Besides, those boots are to die for. Destiny brought me to them, and who am I to question destiny?
The front door chimes like tinny church bells as I enter the shop. I inhale the divine scent of orange and cloves coming from a lit candle on a glass counter. A tall brunette woman with shoulder-length curling wand curls standing behind the counter greets me with a smile as I walk inside.
“Good afternoon,” she says. “I’m Angel. Can I help you with anything?”
“The boots in the window. Do you have them in size seven?”
“They’re cute, aren’t they?” she asks lightheartedly.
“They’re sexy as fuck,” I reply with a nod.
Her eyes widen as she dramatically places her hand over her heart.
Crap.
“Oh gosh, I apologize for the crude language. I don’t know where that came from. It’s so unlike me.”
That’s a lie. At home I curse like it’s the national sport, and I’m the MVP.
Clearing her throat, she flicks her brown hair behind her shoulder. “You’ll get coal in your stocking for using language like that.”
“Again, I’m very sorry.”
She smiles kindly, and I think I’m forgiven for my curse word faux pas. “I’ll look in the backroom for your boots. Feel free to check out the clothing. Women’s sizes to your right. Girls to your left.”
“Thank you. I will.”
While Angel disappears through an opalescent beaded curtain, I glance around this charming dress shop. Neatly folded sparkly sweaters sit on a small wooden table at the front of the store. The racks are filled with festive cocktail dresses in vibrant jewel tones. Ugly Christmas sweaters and lumberjack-wear have their own features smack-dab in the middle of the floor.
“You’re in luck,” she says as she walks through the beaded curtain with a large cardboard boot box in her hands.
“Oh, yay!” I cheer, rushing over to her.
“There’s a bench next to the fitting room.” She points toward the back of the store. “You can try them on there.”
“Okay. Thanks.” I grab the box out of her hands, anxious to get my feet in these sultry little beauties. Flipping off my Lucky Choos, I slide on the boots and tighten the laces. I walk toward a full-length mirror hanging on the front of the fitting room door. Damn, these boots are hot. And way too dirty for this wholesome town. They scream ‘Santa’s slutty side piece’. “I’ll take them.”
“Great! I’ll meet you at the register.”
I rummage through my handbag for my credit card as we walk to the register together and hand it to Angel. I’ve wasted enough time shopping, and I have to get moving. Once I’m done here, I’ll purchase the fruitcake that they could have baked sixty years ago, and no one would notice, then do my job.
While my back is to the front of the store, the front door chimes.
“Summer!” a squeaky voice exclaims.
I turn around and face Nick holding Noelle’s hand at the entrance. My pulse races when his gaze meets mine and a slow smile lifts from the corner of his mouth.
“Hey,” my voice rises in surprise. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in school?”
“We got a day off,” she answers. She peels out of her puffy pink coat and hands it to Nick.
“Teacher in-service day,” Nick explains as he gives a polite wave to Angel.
“I see.” Dammit, my fruitcake bribery and sales pitching plans just flew out the window. “Are you here to get a dress for yourself?” I ask Nick sarcastically.
“Not this time,” he deadpans. “Noelle needs one.”
“I see.”
“Can you help me?” Noelle asks.
“Me? I, ah…” Know nothing about shopping for little girl’s dresses.
“Please?” Her bottom lip protrudes out to an adorable pout.
“I’m sure your uncle would rather,” I begin, but I’m quickly cut off.
“He’s a terrible shopper,” she snorts.
I place my hand over my mouth to hide my smile. Her honesty is refreshing. Sharp as a knife—but refreshing.
“Hey, I’m not so bad,” Nick tells her.
“What about Angel?” I ask. “She knows the inventory and is probably a much better choice.”
“But I want you.” She gives me those sad puppy dog eyes kids have perfected for use at precisely the right moment.
“Noelle, I’m sure Summer has other things to do,” Nick says sternly.
“Um, it’s okay,” I say. The only thing I had to do has been quashed for the time being. And I’m a sucker for those puppy dog eyes. “I’d be happy to help.”
“Are you sure?” he asks.
I smile and nod. “Yeah. I’m sure.”
“Good. Let’s go.” Noelle grabs my hand and drags me to the children’s side of the dress shop.
“Hey, slow down,” I tell her. “These boots aren’t made for quick moves.”
“Did you just buy those here?” Slowly and seductively, his gaze slides downward to my boots.
“Yes, do you like them?” I lift the hem of my pants, giving him a full view.
The tip of his tongue peeks out and he licks his lips. “They’re nice.”
“Just nice?” I ask innocently. I know that look, it’s the same expression I had when I spotted these babies. He likes them more than he’s letting on. “Do you think the heel is too high?”
“No.” He clears his throat. “As long as it’s comfortable.”
“When I lace them up tight, they’re fine. You do like the laces, don’t you?”
“They’re…” He runs his fingers through his hair. “Yes.”
Judging from his flustered reaction and the fact that he can’t look me in the eyes, I know he thinks they’re hot too. I knew these boots were winners.
“What do you think of this?” Noelle interrupts my teasing by holding up a red and white checked dress.
Halting my improper flirting, I turn my attention back to her. “Well, are you looking for an everyday dress that you would wear to school or something fancier?”
“Fancy.”
“How about this?” Nick pulls out a drab beige dress that looks like a garment Laura Ingalls rejected in 1880.
We look at the dress, then him. “No,” Noelle and I answer in unison.
“Boys.” I roll my eyes in Noelle’s direction then wink.
“Told you he’s terrible.” She eye-rolls back then giggles. Her bubbly laughter is contagious, filling my heart with joy. An innocent, pure contentment that’s new to me.
But I kind of like it.
“Uncle Nick.” Noelle places a hand on her hip. “Maybe you should sit over there while me and Summer shop.” Her tiny
index finger points to the empty bench near the fitting room.
I bite the side of my cheek to hold in a laugh and glance at Nick. She just dismissed him. This kid’s a riot. He lifts a brow in my direction, and I nod. I know it’s his way of asking if this is okay and surprisingly… it is. It totally is.
He raises his hands in surrender. “Okay, ladies. Have fun.”
Noelle and I sift through the dress rack, laughing and talking about toys, Santa, and our shared love of ribbon candy. Silly things I thought were unimportant but after talking with Noelle, I realize maybe they are. I sneak a peek at Nick, whose gaze is fixed on us. His eyes lock with mine and he gives me a half-smile. I smile back, ignoring the butterflies in my stomach and the overpowering pull that draws me to him like a magnet. I snap myself out of the allure of his shy, sexy smile and redirect my attention back to Noelle.
“I like this one.” Noelle holds up a piece of lingerie. A ruby red silk babydoll.
I look at the lingerie then glance at Nick as his eyes widen in horror.
“Oh, sweetie,” I say in a calm, soothing tone. “I think this is hung on the wrong rack. It belongs in the woman’s section.”
“Are you sure?” She holds it up against her body, where it hangs below her knees. “It looks like it would fit me.”
“No,” Nick practically shouts, jumping up from the bench.
“Yes, I’m sure.” Gently, I take it from her hand.
“I’ll take that.” Nick snatches the lingerie out of my hands and returns it to the apologetic store owner.
Noelle rolls her eyes. “Sheesh. What’s gotten into him?”
“He’s just…” Really adorable when he’s in protective dad mode. “Trying to keep the store organized.”
“He needs to chill out.”
“Are you sure you’re only eight years old?”
“Summer,” she huffs, placing two fists on her hips. “I know how old I am.”
This girl is too funny. She’s going to keep Nick on his toes for a long, long time.
“Of course you do,” I tell her. “Let’s keep looking for dresses.”
By the time we reach the end of the rack’s run, we’ve pulled out two contenders.
“Do I need a key for the fitting room?” I ask Angel, who’s arranging costume jewelry in a glass case near the register.
“Nope. Go right in,” she tells me.
“Thanks.” I crouch down to Noelle. “Do you want to try these on yourself, or do you need help?”
“I got it.” She grabs the dresses out of my hand.
“Okay. I’ll be right here if you need me.”
Noelle walks into the dressing room while I look down and admire my new boots. Two hands squeeze my shoulders from behind, and I tense up.
“Thank you,” Nick whispers in my ear. The stubble from his cheek rubs against my skin, making my senses spin. “You’re really good with her.”
I close my eyes briefly then look up. Our gazes meet in the reflection in the mirror.
“I had fun.” And for all the lies and half-truths I’ve told, what I just said was the most honest I’ve been since I stepped foot in this town.
“She likes you,” he says, turning me around by my waist. His coat is off now, and I soak in the beauty of this man. His faded jeans look like they were made just for him. The top two buttons of his untucked cornsilk-blue oxford shirt are undone. The color makes his blue eyes seem even bluer—the hypnotic, expressive blue eyes I’m lost in, almost forgetting why I’m really in this town.
Almost.
“I like her too,” I manage to squeak out.
“Maybe later, you and I could,” he begins but is interrupted when the dressing room door swings open.
Noelle walks out in a red sequined holiday dress with a white faux fur hem. She looks like Santa’s long-lost daughter, who performs six nights a week in Vegas. “What do you think?” she asks.
“It’s really sparkly,” I answer.
“You look very pretty,” he tells her, quickly redirecting his gaze back to me.
“More importantly, do you like it?” I ask her.
“I think I’m going to try the other one.” She spins around and reenters the fitting room.
Nick takes a step closer to me. I inhale his clean scent, and my heart skips a beat.
“Have you looked at any properties?” he asks.
My pulse quickens. Must. Stay. Cool. “Not yet, but I have a few on my radar.”
“Where?”
The house you sleep in.
And the two next-door.
“I’d rather not say. Don’t want to jinx it.”
“Are you afraid I’ll stalk you if I know where you live?” he asks with humor in his voice.
“You’ve stalked me once at your aunt’s house,” I say coyly. “And now you suddenly show up at the store I happen to be shopping in.”
“Happy coincidence.”
“Maybe.” I narrow my eyes. “Or maybe you’re stalking me again.”
“Maybe you want me,” he murmurs in a tone so seductive it would dissolve the clothes off most women and a couple of guys I know. He pauses for a quick beat, then continues his thought. “To stalk you.”
He paused on purpose. This guy may live in the land of wholesome holiday virtue, but whether he knows it or not, he’s got game.
“Or maybe I don’t,” I tease.
Instead of visions of sugarplums dancing in my head, my visions include undressing each other inside the fitting room.
He dips his head down, his stubbly beard brushes lightly against my cheek. “I think you like it,” he whispers in my ear.
I close my eyes and hold my breath for a few seconds, attempting to douse the fire he’s intentionally igniting inside me.
“How about this one?” The fitting room door swings open. Nick takes a swift step away from me.
I redirect my attention to Noelle, who looks flawless in a stunning navy-blue chiffon tea-length dress with a silver rhinestone belt.
“This is the one. It’s perfect,” I tell her. “It brings out the blue in your eyes.”
“You look beautiful.” Nick smiles with warm sincerity. “Do you like it?”
His eyes shine with the purest of love as he looks at her. It melts my heart.
It’s by far the most attractive I’ve ever seen him.
“I like these diamonds.” She hooks her thumbs around the rhinestone-encrusted belt.
“Sold,” he says, “Why don’t you get changed. After we pay for your dress, we’ll pick up our Christmas tree.”
“Can Summer come with us?” She jumps in place and claps her hands excitedly.
“That’s up to Summer.” He turns to me and smiles. “Would you like to join us?”
For as much as I’d like to spend more time with them, I have to dial this back. This can’t turn into something personal. I like her, which is fine, I guess. She’s a cute kid who I get a kick out of.
But my attraction to him is a huge no-no. And he has a girlfriend… I think. Nothing good can come from that. The parameters I set before I arrived must remain intact. Commingling personal and business is a huge red flag. This place and these people are only stepping-stones to bigger and better things.
Christmas tree shopping is far too personal.
I crouch down until I’m eye level with Noelle. “I’m sorry. I can’t. But thank you for the invitation.” I look up at Nick and give him a half-smile as I stand back up. “In fact, I should get going.”
“Okay,” she says begrudgingly. She wraps her arms around my waist and gives me a quick hug. “Thanks, Summer.”
“Happy to help. I had a good time,” I tell her honestly as I grab the large boot box that now holds my Lucky Choos off the floor. “Enjoy your tree shopping.”
“Bye,” she says as she twirls in front of the full-length mirror.
“Later, alligator.” I high-five Noelle mid-spin, give a quick nod to Nick then walk to the storefront door.
“Hey
, Summer,” Nick calls out.
I grab the door handle then turn slightly to face him. “Hmm?”
“Thanks.” His grateful expression warms my insides.
“Anytime.”
I slide into my rented Mustang and sit in silence, playing over in my head everything that just occurred. Whatever that was can’t ever happen again.
Flipping down my car’s sun visor, I lift the cover revealing the vanity mirror and stare into my reflection.
“Don’t like him. Don’t like him. Don’t like him,” I whisper to myself.
I take a bite of the turkey club sandwich I picked up at Merry’s diner on my way back to the inn and stare out my guest room window, mesmerized by the endless rows of pine trees lined perfectly in a silent world. I’ve been hiding out here since I got back from town, confused and frustrated with myself.
I know he’s here. I mean, where else would he pick up a Christmas tree? And I know that I can’t risk bumping into him again. It throws me off too much.
The next time I see him has to be business only and entirely on my terms.
The view of the snowy pines past the barn is unpretentious yet stunning. Snow flurries drift carelessly in the gentle wind until they fall to the ground. The sight brings me to an almost hypnotic state. I narrow my eyes and focus on a single flake as it floats in the air, but it manages to escape my view.
My pulse races when I spot Nick and Noelle walking across the back patio of the inn. He crouches down and scoops up a handful of snow, pressing it together to form a snowball then throws it at Noelle. She laughs, crushing together her own snowball, and hits his arm.
He grabs his arm and winces, but it’s obvious to me he’s faking the pain. Noelle runs to him with a worried expression. When she reaches him, he lifts her up and twirls her around by her arms. The jubilant sound of their shared laughter vibrates through the glass pane of my window, and I chuckle with them. He stops spinning and places her feet back on the snowy ground.
This playful moment between Nick and Noelle is wonderfully authentic. Watching him with her melts my heart. I’d never know the pain they share watching them now. He’s so good with her.