She followed his gaze, and a smile slowly slid across her face. “It seems thosewerearranged.” She squinted at him. “Wait—is that why you haven’t moved from this spot since I walked in?”
“Wow, beautyandbrains. You’re the whole package, Holly Sinclair.” Nick lowered his head the final inch. Their lips grazedeach other, tentative, cautious. Then with more urgency as familiarity grew. He tugged her in closer. Colors and lights exploded.
POP.
Literally, exploded.
Nick jerked back. No, wait. Just one of the balloons. He chuckled.
“Oh my gosh.” Holly was slightly breathless, her arms still wrapped around his neck. “I just realized I didn’t get you a Christmas gift! Except for”—her voice dropped to a whisper—“the snow globe. I thought about ordering you a new ramen bowl, but I never actually added it to my cart.”
“Are you kidding? You’ve given me so much. You showed me how to love Christmas.” Nick shook his head. “I was actually watchingElfwhen I had this idea to throw you a party. You reminded me of a character in the movie.”
“Ah. The lovely Zooey Deschanel?” Holly batted her eyes.
“Actually, Will Ferrell.”
She abruptly stopped blinking.
“Not like that.” Nick laughed. “I meant that I was grumpy ole Walter, and all your Christmas shenanigans were exactly what Buddy the Elf would have come up with. I believe you even quoted his list at one point.”
“I did.” She snorted. “And you busted me.”
He sobered. “What I’m trying to say is, your spirit is contagious, Holly. Even when you’re trying to be annoying, you’re someone I want to be around.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Even when I’m blowing up giant inflatable snowmen above your bed?”
“Especially then.” He tightened his grip around her waist. “I think in order to stop hating Christmas, we just had to hate ittogetherfor a minute.”
“I know I’ve been really selfish.” Holly twisted her lips to theside. “Last night, I finally saw how I’ve been making the holidays about me. And no one can be happy when they’re at the center of Christmas.”
“No one is perfect.” Nick gave her a squeeze. “Not even me, unfortunately.” He grimaced. “And I’m learning to be okay with that too.” One day at a time.
“I’m sorry I doubted you. Once I knew you were the buyer for my parents, everything just sort of imploded in my mind. I never thought you’d be interested in me for me, so it made more sense that you’d have an ulterior motive.” She sighed. “But I’ve worked things out with my mom, and with Lydia. I think that had to happen to give me clarity. I didn’t even realize how much I was carrying and projecting.”
“I’m happy to hear that, for your sake.”
She drew back and took a deep breath. “And I think you should reconsider buying the property—if you still want it, knowing how crazy the previous occupants were.” She grinned.
Good grief, she was beautiful. “Are you sure?” He smoothed his thumb over her cheekbone, catching a leftover tear. “I don’t want to be the reason you lose anything important to you.”
“I think I’m only gaining important things.” She stretched up on tiptoe and kissed him again, until the barn tilted and all the primary colors surrounding them swirled.
“I think our ten minutes is almost up.” He turned his head, unable to resist pressing another quick kiss against her cheek. “Might want to fix your hair.”
She stepped back and smoothed her curls. “Guess what? I genuinely wasn’t upset that most of my family didn’t tell me happy birthday this morning.” She gave a little bow. “Personal growth, right?”
He high-fived her. “And now you know it’s all because you had a surprise party waiting for you.”
“I guess my family had to getonemore secret in. Like therehaven’t been enough this holiday.” She patted her curls one last time before scooting back into his arms. “And speaking of secrets, I guess this is the end of the operations, once and for all. Piper will be relieved.”
“I have to admit, I wasn’t sad to see Operation: Naughty List go.” He shuddered.
“You have to admit, Operation: Jack & Sally had a good run.” She winced. “Except maybe the whole punch-in-the-face part.”
“Besides that part. Regardless…” Nick pressed his forehead to hers. “I much prefer Operation: Holly & Nick.”
“You sure?” Joy and something sassy and uniquely Holly lit her eyes. “Even though I plan to absolutely obliterate you in Pin the Tail on the Donkey in a minute?”
