Naughty or Nice?

12. Kendall

CHAPTER 12

Kendall

An hour goes by before I can even come out from under the bed covers. I’ve spent the entire time mourning what will never be between me and Nicholas.

The reality is that our relationship won’t work. Nicholas is Nate’s father, and it’ll destroy their family if we’re together.

It’s time I accept that this trip was a mistake in more ways than one. Not only due to what happened with Nate calling off the engagement, but the fling between me and Nicholas.

“Move on,” I mutter. “Book the rental car and get the hell out of town.”

Kicking the covers aside, I grab my phone off the nightstand and start Googling local rental car companies.

For the rest of the day, I’ll stick it out in the Airbnb. Tomorrow I’ll leave as soon as it’s daylight out. From there, I’ll have no choice but to learn to put this ordeal behind me.

“What do you mean you’re closed the day after Christmas?”

I swear under my breath and scroll to the next rental car company on the search results.

It would be my luck that nothing’s open even on the day after Christmas. The universe seems determined to keep me in this small town no matter how hard I try to escape.

My phone pings while in the palm of my hand. A text pops up on my screen.

Look outside your bedroom window.

It’s from Nicholas. I close my eyes and groan. A second text comes through.

I’m serious, darling. Do it.

I put down my phone and crawl across the bed to do as asked. I grip the curtain and peel it back just enough to afford me a peek out the window.

Sure enough, Nicholas stands out in the snow with his Santa hat perched on his head and a bouquet of red and white carnations.

The smile that lights up my face comes by surprise. I can’t keep it from spreading as I let out a small laugh. The twinge in my heart disappears to be replaced by the warmth that he brings me.

We settle on what to do at the same time. As Nicholas steps toward the front door, I leap from the bed and race through the house to meet him. I wrench the door open as he’s lifting his fist to knock.

“Nick, I told you we can’t?—”

“Darling, I know what you said. But I also know what we both feel. There’s something between us. Are you going to deny that?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I’m not destroying your family. I refuse to do that.”

“Funny thing is, we’ve talked about it. Turns out, you’re being welcomed with open arms.”

“You told them?”

“Nate did. But I spoke to everybody. I told them what happened and how we feel. So long as it makes us happy, they’ve got no issue with it,” he explains, pushing the bouquet of flowers into my hands. “Nate was nowhere to be found. He’s probably going to need some time.”

“It’s too messy. How would family events work? I won’t be responsible for making things difficult for Nate and the rest of the family.”

“So don’t be, darling. Don’t you get it?” He palms both of my shoulders and eases me backward as he steps past the threshold into the house. “You’ve done nothing wrong. You’re a single woman who’s allowed to do what she wants. You made a choice he doesn’t like. But it was also his choice to let you go.”

“I know…” I sigh, closing my eyes.

“It’s in your head. You’re demonizing yourself.”

What Nicholas says rings true—I’m internalizing the situation. I’m acting as if I still should have loyalty to Nate. The insults he hurled at me didn’t help. They confirmed what I was already feeling. Deep guilt and shame.

I glance down at the flowers Nicholas has brought me. “You know, Nate’s never brought me flowers before.”

“For the record, I taught him better than that.”

“We can…” I pause to really collect myself. “We can take things slow?”

Nicholas grins and reaches out to grab my hand in his. “What did I tell you? Of course we can.”

“And Nate?”

“He’s welcome back to the family any time he wants. But it’s his decision to make. Just like it’s yours to join us for the rest of the holiday.”

“Me? With you and the family?”

“Amy and Jennifer are excited to bake those cookies you told them about.”

I laugh. “This whole trip is surreal. It doesn’t even feel like real life.”

“Call it a Christmas miracle,” he teases with a wink. “It didn’t turn out like you expected, but sometimes those are the best holidays.”

“Definitely the most memorable.”

Come later in the evening, I’m seated around the table with the rest of the Whittler family. Christmas dinner has been served, and everyone digs into the special feast. Nicholas was right that the family wanted me here. They’ve done nothing but go out of their way to make sure I’m comfortable and fitting in.

It’s almost as if the breakup and tryst didn’t happen at all.

Except for Nate’s absence. The chair that would’ve been his is empty. The placemat untouched.

He hasn’t shown his face in hours. Cousin Frank claims he spoke to him a couple hours ago, and he mentioned spending the holiday with Rosa.

I can’t help glancing at the empty chair and vaguely wondering if Nate will ever come around. He might be so prideful he’ll refuse even as the rest of the family moves on.

Nicholas clutches my hand at the table, out in the open. His warm touch pulls my mind off Nate. My gaze meets his as he gives my hand a squeeze.

“He’s made his decision, darling.”

“I know,” I mouth.

He brings our clasped hands up to his lips and presses a kiss onto the back of mine.

Amy catches sight and makes a soft awww sound from her throat. “Dad, you’re such a romantic!”

The others around the table laugh, including the two of us.

“Guilty as charged,” he admits. “How do you think I won her over in the first place?”

The sound of chatter and clanging silverware takes over. I lean closer so only Nicholas can hear.

“Very romantic,” I say. “And then there’s St. Nick…”

He grins, giving another squeeze of my hand. “You know better than that, darling. St. Nick comes out later for his milk and cookies.”

I’m well aware that Nicholas isn’t kidding. I wouldn’t want him to be.

For the rest of the evening, we sit with the family and eat until our stomachs are full. Once we’ve dined on the main courses, we gradually move onto eggnog, spiced cider, mulled wine, and an array of desserts.

It’s a night that I’m grateful for as we celebrate Christmas for hours. The holiday that started out as the worst of my life has become one of the best. In short, for no other reason than the wonderful man seated beside me.

St. Nick truly does make Christmas miracles come true.