I know she hates to lose, and I want to see the smile on her face when Oliver and Emma choose us. Because we definitely have the most unique snowwoman, and I think Carol is perfect just the way she is.
She leans into me, and I feel her nod as we approach the group. “Good name choice.”
“Great work, everyone. Let’s head inside, and we’ll send Oliver and Emma out to judge,” Ben says, and we follow him on the quick walk to the house.
Once inside, Ben hollers to where our judges seem to be stashed. Shortly after, they walk down the stairs and meet us in the entryway.
Muffin makes her way over to us and jumps up on Noelle’s leg. Noelle happily bends over and gives Muffin some pets on the head.
“Three snowmen for you to judge. Take your time, analyze, and judge how you both see fit,” Ben tells them.
“We definitely will,” Emma says, smiling, as she and Oliver head outside.
Genuine nerves pulse through me as Noelle walks me into the living room, our hands still connected. I want us to win—for Noelle, but also for me. I take pride in Carol. She is a strong, independent snowwoman. She isn’t afraid to go bottomless and show off what her mamas gave her.
Everyone finds a seat on a sofa or a chair. Noelle sits down on the one seat left on the end of the main sofa, and I lean against the armrest, slowly scooting up and straddling it.
“Who do you think is going to win?” Abby asks the group.
I think about each snowman and snowwoman. Ben’s was a cliché snowman with stick arms, black rock buttons and eyes, and a carrot nose. I see that the sneakiness of competition runs in the family.
Nancy and Scott went with a different approach than the rest of us. They made a mini snowman. It stands maybe two feet tall. And has a beanie and scarf on. For eyes, they used rocks, and for the arms, they used pine cones.
If we get beaten by anyone, I want it to be Nancy and Scott because theirs is so cute.
“I think your guys’ is adorable and way to go with the wig.” Abby smiles.
Noelle says, “Thank you. Our snowwoman’s name is Carol, and she is a winner through and through.”
Ben laughs and says, “No way Carol is going to beat ours. Our snowman could be featured in a magazine.”
I scoff with a smile on my face. “You are so going down. If anyone in this room is capable of beating Carol out for the win, it’s most certainly not basic Bob over there.”
Ben laughs this time, the sound coming from his gut. “Basic Bob. I like it.”
Hands wrap around my hips, and suddenly, I’m being pulled off of the armrest and down into Noelle’s lap.
My face flushes, and I know my cheeks are now bright red. We kissed, made out, and touched each other a little bit. She has even seen my bare chest. But nothing we have done has actually been in front of her family. Aside from holding hands. But that and sitting in her lap feel like twoverydifferent things.
I nervously giggle, and everyone turns to look at me. But thankfully, the front door opens and steals everyone’s attention.
Oliver and Emma walk into the living room, clapping. Oliver begins to say something, but it goes in one ear and out the other as I feel Noelle’s arms wrap around my waist underneath my arms.
She squeezes me gently, and my heart skips a beat.
Her sultry voice meets my ear, barely audible, and she says, “Have I told you how perfect these are?”
Her hands skim my breasts, and warmth instantaneously pools in my core. She adjusts her hold on me again, pushing into my boobs this time, eliciting a whole new slew of sensual feelings.
I tune Oliver and Emma in just in time to hear their announcement.
“The winner is,” they say simultaneously as they do a drumroll on their legs, “the snowwoman!” My eyes close at the anticipation.
My eyes fly open, and everyone starts applauding. I fly to my feet and spin around to hug Noelle. I throw my arms out for her, and she cups my face. Everything seems to slow down, but also happens so fast.
She pulls me to her, tilting and leaning her head down ever so slightly. Her gorgeous, long lashes flutter, and her lips part. My head falls back, and I naturally mirror her, anticipating the feel of her soft lips.
But a thought lingers in my mind. This isn’t a fake pet name, fake backstory, or fake relationship. This is a real reaction in the moment of victory. One where the first thought on her mind is to kiss me. In private, it’s our way of playing along. But here, in front of everyone, that ismore.
