Holly’s unruly hair whipped in the breeze, her cheeks flushed pink. “I think this is my fault.”
“No, it’s definitely Ryan’s.” Nick rubbed his jaw, unsure how to act as he paused in front of her. Like a boyfriend? Like a friend? She looked like she could use a hug regardless.
Honestly, so could he.
He tugged her into one before either of them could think twice. Apparently a good call because she immediately nestled in and wrapped her arms around him. His heart pounded as her head rested against his chest, and the memory of their kiss washed over him, warm and inviting. His thoughts churned.
She smelled like roasted pecans and vanilla.
Was she going to be mad at him for telling Ryan?
How did she always smellsogood?
Was this the last time he’d ever get to touch her?
Okay, maybe hecoulduse a punch in the face. He gently pried her arms free and inched back. She shot him a questioning look. He understood the confusion. But maybe he could clear that up once and for all.
Lydia, meanwhile, glared at Ryan. “Okay, what is going on? You’ve never so much as wrestled with Mason or your father. Why are you suddenly trying topretendfight people?”
“I’ll explain everything.” Ryan caught Nick’s eye and dipped his head. “But I think we should talk privately. And so should Holly and Nick.”
“That makes even less sense,” Lydia mumbled as she allowed Ryan to tug her away from the entrance.
“We’ll be in the car!” Ryan hollered as they walked away. “Text me when you want me to pick you up.”
Holly faced Nick, tucking her hair behind her ears. Sheshivered, and he wanted nothing more than to pull her in close. But he couldn’t—wouldn’t—do that again under a false pretense.
He shrugged out of his jacket. The cold air immediately bit through his thin shirt, but he wrapped the coat around Holly’s shoulders anyway. “I’d suggest we go inside, but I think they would frown at that right now.” He laughed.
Holly didn’t. “I’msosorry. I thought maybe Ryan was getting a little upset about us, but I had no idea he’d punch you. You two are friends.” She frowned. “And then Lydia said something to the police about it being a joke but she didn’t know why. I don’t understand.”
“That’s my fault.” Nick tugged her arm, drawing her farther under the arch, into the corner of the building where the wind didn’t whip. “I’m just glad your parents didn’t see that.”
“I can’t believe my family has been banned for fighting in this mall twice now.” She bit back a laugh, then covered her mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry. It’s really not funny. I’m sure that hurts.” She touched his jaw and he shivered for a completely different reason than the cold.
“He grazed me, is all. Just happened to be the same spot from my cowboy adventure the other day.”
Amusement danced in her eyes, and then she slowly lowered her hand back to her side as the teasing light faded. Her arms crossed protectively over the borrowed jacket, clutching it tight around her. An SUV drove past them, blasting a holiday song. “So what do we need to talk about?”
It was too cold to beat around the proverbial bush. He took a steadying breath. “I hope you’re not mad, but…I told Ryan about Operation: Jack & Sally.”
“I figured you would while you guys were in there.” She nodded her head toward the mall entrance.
“No, I mean, I told him the other day. It seemed like it was all going way too far, and…I don’t know.” Nick shrugged alittle, watching a parade of emotions march across her face. “It just felt wrong to keep it up. I’m sorry.”
She bit her bottom lip. “I understand. It was time.” She frowned. “So him hitting you today was meant to be pretend? Like, he was playing along because he knew?”
Nick winced. “Yeah…”
Holly groaned. “Piper was right. This was a horrible idea, wasn’t it?”
“Again…yeah.”
“Ugh.” She buried her face in her hands. “I feel stupid for even starting all this. It’s been so confusing. And you gothurt.”
“Hey.” He tugged her hands apart, bending down to peer through them into her freckled face. Good grief, she was pretty. “I’m fine, I promise. And there’s really no harm done. But I do think we should stop the charade now.”
“You’re right.” She pulled her hands from his grip. “I guess it stopped being fun and games when Mason called you ‘uncle’ and my brother hit you in the face.”
