“I mean, yeah. Holly and my best friend? That’s obviously way different than a ‘gnarly’ surfer boy who can’t keep his webbed claws off my baby sister.” Ryan’s face screwed into a scowl and his glasses slipped on his nose. “Don’t get me started.”
“You didn’tactthrilled about it.” Nick tilted his head. “Honestly, you didn’t seem to have much reaction of any sort.”
“That was the goal.” Ryan shrugged. “I know my sister. If I got excited about you two, she’d switch gears. Get spooked or get stubborn—something like that. So I kept it cool.”
“Essentially, you were tricking us as we were tricking you.”
Ryan saluted him with his cup. “In a roundabout way.”
“Fair enough.” Nick stared out at Frosty, still lit in the middle of the yard. Disappointment weighed like Santa’s pack. The gig was up. No more reason to pretend-date Holly. No more excuse for craft projects or late-night talks or cookie baking or mistletoe kisses.
Unless…
Nick squinted. “I need a favor.”
“After you lied to me?” Ryan frowned.
He shot him a sideways look. “Welied to Holly.”
“Okay, fair. What is it?”
“Can you keep playing along?” Nick waited a beat. “Maybe even act really mad, like her plan is working?”
“Ha.” Ryan tilted his head back and tossed the rest of his drink down the hatch. “This punch wasn’t spiked, but you must have found some eggnog.”
“Seriously. Ever since Holly stopped attacking me with Christmas, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know her. I…like her.” Oh, brother. Nick sounded like a kid passing a note with a “Do you like me? Yes or No” check box.
Ryan sighed. “Well, that’s ironic.”
This entire season had been. “If you keep this going, I’ll have reason to keep getting to know her. We’ve really been connecting, and I think if she finds out you know the truth, she’ll withdraw again. Go back to feeling hurt and just surviving the holidays. I don’t want that for her.”
“Here’s a wild idea.” Ryan leaned forward, his eyes earnest behind his glasses. “Talkto my sister. Tell her how you feel.”
Nick shook his head. “It’s too soon. She’d never believe me after all this.” He waved his hand around the farm, as if one could encompass the last week with a single gesture. “Why would she?”
The last few days under Operation: Jack & Sally had been so ideal. If Nick could just keep that going a little longer, get a bit more time with the real Holly before she vanished under another hurt, well, that might actually make for a great Christmas.
“Maybe you’re right.” Ryan settled into his chair. “I don’t know.”
“Iknow.” Nick resumed rocking, matching his friend’s rhythm.
“But haven’t there been enough secrets?” Ryan asked.
Yes. Too many—more than Ryan even knew. Nick swallowed the knot in his throat and met Ryan’s eyes. “Just one more.”
Ryan shook his head. Sighed. Then nodded. “Fine. One more.”
Victory. Nick leaned into the rocker, unable to stop his smile. For now, at least, he and Holly could keep hating Christmas.
Together.
Two Days Before Christmas
Me:
He kissed me.
Piper:
