“Sorry I missed the wedding, man,” Nick said to his friend.
Colton clapped him on the back. “You sent us a trip to Barbados. I think we’re good.” His buddy’s voice was thick with emotion.
They pulled back, grinned at each other. Colton and Nick looked nothing alike other than both being tall and wide-shouldered but this man was as much of a brother as he could be, blood relation or not.Another relationship that deserves more attention from you.
“Speaking of,” Colton said, releasing Nick, one hand gesturing to a guy with dark brown hair that matched a well-groomed beard. “You guys have met on FaceTime, but let me formally introduce you to my husband, Jacob Smart.”
Jacob stepped forward, gripped Nick’s hand before pulling him in for a hug. “Nice to meet you in person. Colt’s told me so much about you, though I was a big fan even before we got together. You’re one of the best right wings I’ve ever seen play.”
Nick pulled back, tried to tamp down on the discomfort he felt when people praised him for doing his job. “Thanks. Appreciate that. It’s nice to meet you too.”
“Have some pizza, Nick,” Ellie said, coming up beside him.
Whether or not she could read him well enough to know he wanted to switch topics, he appreciated the diversion.
“Where’s everyone else?” he asked her, taking the paper plate with a thick slice of pepperoni—his favorite—on it.
“My parents are coming in tomorrow. My sister Natalie is pregnant and exhausted so she and Kyle went up to their room,” Jacob said, pulling a slice of cheese pizza from one of the open boxes in the center of the table.
“We haven’t seen Maisie yet, either,” Colton said, picking up a can of soda and taking a drink.
Nick sat down next to Asher, across from Colt and his husband, happy it was just them for now.
“You’ve met Maisie, right?” Colton asked, setting his can down.
“That’s right. At her friend Hailey’s wedding,” Jacob said around his bite of pizza.
Nick turned to meet his gaze, his heart thundering in his ears. What the hell? Did theyknow? From the little they’d chatted about her family, he remembered Maisie saying she got along well with her siblings. She’d joked that they were her parents’ pride and joy while she was their work in progress. He hadn’t really understood it but he’d made sure to show her just how perfect he found her to be. More than once.
“Though, I heard it was a big wedding so maybe you didn’t meet her,” Jacob said.
Nick swallowed his bite, nodded, kept his gaze steady. “Yeah. We ran into each other.”Repeatedly. Until neither of us could stay away or resist each other.Asher leaned into his side, pulling Nick’s attention and making him smile instantly.
He might not want the chaos of a holiday with strangers, particularly the family of the woman he couldn’t get out of his head, but he was in the right place and damn happy to be there.
“Love you, Uncle Nicky.”
Nick sent his sister a mock glare but she grinned widely at the nickname. “Love you too, kid.”
“When does all the fun start, Mommy?” Asher asked Ellie.
“It’s already started, sweetie. But tomorrow there will be a lot more people so it’ll be even better.”
Seven days. Would Maisie avoid him? Would she always see him as the jerk who walked away?
The memory of stepping out of the shower and seeing her there, then seeing the lust painted all over her face, made his skin heat. She’d covered herself with her clothes pretty quickly but even if he hadn’t caught a peek of her in her underwear and bra, he needed no help remembering every inch of her; every dip and curve and delectable spot. The way she laughed when his stubble tickled her softly rounded belly or the way her breath caught when he kissed just under her ear. Fuck. It was going to be a long seven days trying to show her how much he regretted not reaching out. Was he being naïve thinking he could win her over?
It was the holidays. He knew she loved the season because they’d talked about it being one of her favorite times of the year. He just needed to find a way to be what Maisie Smart wanted for Christmas.
Chapter Five
MAISIE STARED AT THEceiling thinking about how to approach the day when Natalie waltzed in without even knocking. Maisie startled and boosted herself up on her elbows.
“Looks like someone still wakes up with resting grumpy face,” Natalie said, flopping on the end of the mattress.
“Rude,” Maisie said around a laugh as she sat all the way up. No more avoiding the day ahead. Or the broody hockey player next door. He’d looked so sincere and so stupid hot, she’d spent all night thinking about him. Too cowardly to face him again last night, she’d snuck down to the kitchen for a slice of cold pizza when the house was quiet. Her stomach growled at the thought of food. She should have pilfered some snacks for today but there was no way her family would let her hide without explanation. And she wasnotexplaining Nick King.
“Not rude if it’s true. What’s on the agenda?” Natalie already had her hair neatly braided, was dressed, and looked suspiciously like she’d had at least one caffeinated drink. Unfair advantage.
