Not that I noticed such details.
I froze in slippered feet, very aware of my own robed attire and the fact that I didn’t naturally make mornings look good. I swiped my tongue over my decidedly unbrushed teeth.
This was bad.
I commanded my feet to move, but they simply would not listen.
Nick shoved his unruly hair off his forehead and stared through the tangle of glittered ribbon at me, still blinking, as if he could remove the obstacle in his path if he simply generated enough eye moisture.
“Uh, good morning.” I spoke fast, so my breath wouldn’t linger in the air too long, and moved a step back. “You’re up early.”
“As are you.” He tugged at one of the ribbon vines. It easily fell to the floor. “Is this some kind of Sinclair family initiation? You have to complete the course before you’re allowed in the bathroom?”
“Um, yes. Yes, that’s exactly it.” I backpedaled a few more feet, crossing my arms over my chest despite the double layer of nightgown and robe. I desperately wanted to smooth my hair but didn’t want to risk raising my arms while braless.
He removed another string of ribbon with one tug of his finger. “Sorry to ruin your handiwork here.”
It was about that moment I realized it was going to take him only twenty seconds to take down my twenty minutes of work.I frowned. Where was a skywriter when you needed one? “How do you know it’s mine?”
“Just a hunch.” A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth, and dang it, if that didn’t make me home in on his dark, bristled jawline. “Unless Olivia is much more of a sore loser than I realized.”
“She definitely is, but you’re right. This was me.” I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. I’d almost forgotten to get into character. Blame it on my lack of caffeine. “Your room was much too Grinchy. Had to get you spruced up.” I grinned.
“I guess that makes you Cindy Lou Who, huh?” He effectively removed another layer of tinsel between us. The heater kicked on, blowing warm air into the hallway that I definitely did not need.
I backed up again, talking through nearly closed lips like a ventriloquist in training. “Nah. I could never pull off her hairstyle.”
“I’d like to see you try.” There was that half grin again. Ugh. Who looked that good first thing in the morning? Piper was about to get more texts.
I lifted my chin, trying to remember if I’d removed all my makeup last night or if it was possible I was standing in the hallway as the Ghost of Christmas Raccoon. “Better get some coffee. We’ve got a full day ahead. So many holiday activities to check off the list.” I channeled as much brightness into my voice as I could without risking waking my family members.
Nick plucked a cotton ball from his door and held it up. “Like snow angels and ice skating?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” I quickly ran a finger under one eye and came up with a black smear. Of course.
He leaned one shoulder against the doorjamb and crossed his arms over his chest, blowing at a piece of tinsel that dangled in his face. “Can’t wait.”
Oh no. Was he already forming an “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” mentality? That would ruin everything. I struggled for something more hardcore and off-putting. “We might even get the Christmas tree today.” Ugh, hiking in snow. And someone was bound to start singing carols.
Nick shrugged. “I love a good jaunt through the woods.”
“Great!” I faked my best smile as I cinched the tie on my robe a little tighter. “And there’s a Christmas market downtown, which you would also love, I’msure.”
“What can I say?” He spread his arms wide. “Can’t beat a good holiday sale.”
Or suffocating crowds all searching for the perfect gift that didn’t exist—again, while Christmas music blared. “Fabulous!” My cheeks hurt from smiling.
“Might even buy myself a poinsettia.” Nick grinned back. “You know. To spruce up my room.”
“That would be extra festive of you.”
“Wouldn’t it?” Nick squinted at me.
I nodded slowly, holding his gaze despite the fact I was Ghost Raccoon. He was definitely up to something.
Which wasn’t fair whenIwas up to something.
“Maybe we could even swing by a craft store.” Nick pulled another cotton ball free. “You know, so I can redecorate after I use the bathroom.”
