Somewhere in the line, a baby cried. I felt that. My fears made sense…Ryanhadwalked out during the kiss. Nick could have easily seen him coming from his vantage point and initiated the whole mistletoe thing simply to get caught.
I needed to get a grip—namely, stop staring at Nick’s dimple—and face the facts.
Last night was all part of the game.
I squared my shoulders as we shuffled forward in line, fighting to keep a casual tone. “Yeah, probably shouldn’t. I mean, if that’s okay.” If hewantedto kiss me again, he’d say so.
Right?
“Yeah, yeah. Totally okay.” Nick waved one hand in the air, then absently brushed it over the top of his hair. “Whatever you want.”
“So…no more kissing.” I had to say theK-word to hopefully strip it of some of its power. But then Nick’s gaze met mine, and last night—the scent of his woodsy cologne, the feel of his hand cupping my neck, the way our sweaters traded glitter—flooded back in Technicolor. Okay, so that didn’t work.
Nick nodded his confirmation. “No more kissing.”
Did he look disappointed, or was that wishful thinking on my part?
We moved ahead in line before I could decide. It was almost Janie’s turn, and Mason nudged her again in reminder before an elf assisted her toward Santa.
Olivia snapped pictures on her phone. “She’s going to ask for that doll, isn’t she?”
Nick and I exchanged amused glances, and my heart jump-started. Were we so good at pretending now that we wereactuallyacting like a real couple? Sharing nuts and inside jokes and…banning kisses. Okay, maybe not all that real.
Still. Being with Nick felt so easy. Natural. I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. At least I could be sure our friendship was legit by this point.
Now to figure out how to be content with that.
Mason bounced again, unable to help himself. Janie scrambled onto the stool beside Santa and leaned over to whisper.
Santa’s eyes widened, then he pursed his lips and nodded. “Ho, ho, ho. That’s a new one.”
“Yep. I’m toast.” Olivia pocketed her phone.
Axel bounced on his toes like Mason. “What did she ask for? Toys these days are so cool, man.”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” Mason crossed his arms over his chest. “It doesn’t work if you say it out loud.”
“Really?” Axel frowned. “I thought that was just for shooting stars.”
“It’s for birthday wishes too.” Mason’s tone held moreduhthan a Nickelodeon sitcom.
Janie started to hop down from the stool, then her eyes cut to her brother. Mason glared. She quickly cupped her hands and said one more thing to Santa, who looked directly at us, and winked. With a grin, Janie ran back to Olivia.
A frown creased Mom’s forehead as she adjusted the folds of her long cardigan. “Wonder what that was about?”
Dad offered her another nut, and she shook her head.
“You should see her Christmas list—it’s a mile long. I’m sure she just forgot something.” Kat good-naturedly rolled her eyes.
“I tried to get her to put it in alphabetical order the other day.” Lydia shook back her blond braid, her other hand holding Ryan’s. “But the teaching moment passed when she couldn’t decide if that doll should be categorized underDfordollorVforvomit—”
“We get it.” Olivia quickly pulled her phone back out as Mason headed to take his turn. “Thanks for trying.”
As Mason crossed the green-velvet walk to talk to Santa, the rest of us maneuvered around to the exit, near the giant foam candy canes to collect Janie. One of the elves handed Mason a peppermint stick before he hopped on the stool.
“Five bucks to anyone who can confirm he actually asks for that basketball.” Olivia whispered as we all bunched together.
“Don’t do that! If you hear what he says, he won’t get it.” Axel pushed up the sleeves of his thin athletic jacket. “Those are the rules apparently.” He waggled his eyebrows in jest, but I’m pretty sure I was the only one who caught it.
