The Christmas Cookie Crush (Arcadian Falls Christmas #4)

Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

Nora

After the windows fog up, I climb back into my seat with a giggle as Austin cranks the defrost, grinning at me as we wait. Once the windshield is clear enough to see out of, Austin drives me home, his hand on my leg when he doesn’t need it for driving.

I steal glimpses of his profile the whole way, trying to examine him surreptitiously. I want to figure him out. Every time I think I have him figured out, he surprises me yet again.

I’ve literally never had a guy turn down fooling around in a secluded spot. And his comment that I deserve better?

I’m not sure what to make of that.

Some part of me wants to react to it like I’m being judged. Like he’d think less of me if he knew I’d fooled around just like that plenty of times over the years, both in high school and after. Living at my parents’ house during the summer doesn’t afford me lots of opportunities for that kind of thing. And all the age- appropriate guys in town are just back at their parents’ too, so it’s not like they have a place, either.

A time or two it was with someone in town who had a vacation rental. And yeah, his buddies might be staying there too, but he’d usually tell them to clear out for a while.

Except that one guy …

I suppress a shudder at the memory of coming out to find his three friends gathered in the living room, drinking beers, smoking weed, and watching some stupid movie. When we walked out, they all shouted out numbers. At first, I was really confused, and I stopped short to try to figure it out.

Then they started breaking down the scores like they do for gymnastics or figure skating competitions. Eight point seven for vocalizing. Six point four for bed noises. Nine point six for duration.

God, I was mortified. I fled, even though the guy had said he’d give me a ride home, choosing instead to walk off my embarrassment and cycle through fury and rage before I made it back home. I blocked him immediately and never saw him again.

For sure I deserve better than that .

Fortunately, I know Austin wouldn’t do something like that. Or have friends who’d do something like that. And based on his reaction to my brother, I know he’d defend me to anyone who tried to act that way.

When he parks in front of my house, he gets out and comes around to open my door for me. Offering me a hand, he pulls me into his arms and kisses me thoroughly. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he whispers, rubbing his nose against mine. “I do want …” He clears his throat meaningfully. “I’ll find us a better spot, okay?”

“Okay,” I whisper back, giving him one more kiss, then he lets me go, standing next to his car as he watches me walk to the door. I wave at him one more time before going inside.

Where I’m immediately greeted by my siblings and their partners ranged on the living room furniture.

“Look who finally came home,” Dylan quips, his tone heavy with sarcasm.

Lydia nudges him, but he doesn’t even spare her a glance. “Did you have fun?” she asks.

Rolling my eyes at Dylan, I take off my coat and boots and give Lydia a smile. “I did. Thanks for asking.”

“What are your intentions with Austin?” Dylan demands, the sarcasm gone, leaving only irritation in its wake.

Straightening, I blink at him a few times, hoping he’ll realize how ridiculous he sounds. Or that Lydia or Sarah or even Ty will jump in and say something. But Ty and Sarah just look at me with brows raised, like they’re wondering the same thing.

Hands on my hips, I tilt my head to the side. “I’m sorry, did you just ask what my intentions are? Are you Austin’s guardian? Is he a young lass from the Victorian Era who needs someone to protect his virtue?”

Shane snickers, but stifles it with his hand.

I spear Sarah with a glare. Because what the hell? Why is my sister party to this? “Where’s Sophie?”

She waves a hand airily. “Mom’s finishing up some super secret project with her. You know how they get this time of year.”

I do. And it’s actually really great. We all met Sophie a few Christmases ago because Sarah asked Mom and Dad to do a special Santa visit for her. It was her first Christmas without her parents, and Sarah wanted to make it special, create some new memories for her so she didn’t only remember sadness. Special occasions are still hard for them, and I know Shane makes a point to do things with her to commemorate her parents, but she’s developed some specific traditions with my parents that are good for everyone.

Softening, I spare a glance for Shane, who scoots forward in his spot on the couch, resting his elbows on his knees, his hands hanging down. “I don’t think this was intended to be an interrogation,” he says, his voice warm like he’s trying to talk me around.

Dylan snorts, ruining any chance Shane might’ve had at smoothing things over. “Like hell it isn’t. Austin is my friend. And instead of hanging out with me , he’s off running around with you every time he’s not working!”

“Dylan, you sound like a jealous ex right now,” I tell him. “And with Lydia sitting right there! Shameful.” Crossing my arms, I shake my head and tut in disapproval.

Lydia smirks, covering her mouth with her hand when Dylan casts a glance at her.

“Are you on her side?” he demands of her.

She holds up her hands, palms out. “I’m just here,” she says. “I’m not on anyone’s side.” Then she looks at me, holding her hand next to her mouth to block Dylan from seeing and mouths, “I’m on your side.”

“Hey!” he shouts, clearly figuring out what’s going on.

“Look,” Ty says, making a quelling gesture with his hands, “I think we all just want to make sure this is a good thing. Right, everyone?”

Everyone but Dylan makes sounds of agreement. He sits on the couch with his arms crossed, pouting like a petulant child. “No,” he protests. “I’m trying to figure out when my little sister decided to date my best friend!”

My eyebrows climb my forehead at that. “When was the last time you spoke to your long-lost best friend?”

“Tonight!” he crows.

I snort, and everyone else chuckles too. Ignoring him, I refocus on Ty. “It is a good thing,” I tell him. “I appreciate the concern, but I promise this isn’t going to be a disaster.” I look at Sarah, whose brow is wrinkled with concern. “I know,” I tell her. “I get it. I understand why you want to check on me, but I’m good. This is good. Austin’s not like …” I bite my lip, trying to figure out what comparison to make, and in the end I just shrug and let my arms drop to my sides. “He’s not like anyone else I’ve dated. He’s sweet and kind and caring.”

“And really cute,” Olivia puts in. “But not as cute as you,” she adds, wrapping her arm around Ty’s when he gives her a look.

Grinning, I shake my head at their antics. “Well, if everyone’s satisfied, I’m gonna get ready for bed. I know you lazy lot are on vacation, but I have to work tomorrow.”

“Hey!” Sarah protests. “I have to work too!”

“Then you should probably head home soon as well. Night, everyone.”

“Hang on!” Dylan calls after me. “I’m not satisfied.” But whatever he might’ve said never materializes, and I grin because at least my oldest two siblings are satisfied enough to keep Dylan from harassing me. At least for tonight.

Austin

What are you doing tomorrow night?

Spending it with you, I’m guessing?

I know your brothers are both here. Will you be able to get away? Possibly all night?

They’ll survive without me for one night. What did you have in mind?

Riverside Inn has a room available

Book it. Now

What a fantastic thing to wake up to. The knowledge that I’m spending the night with my boyfriend tomorrow has me grinning as I get ready for work. Not even Dylan can dampen my excitement.

“Seriously, Nor,” he grumbles at breakfast, “what’s going on with you and Austin?”

I pause with a half-chewed bite of breakfast burrito in my mouth. Then I glare at my brother. “Why are you eating a breakfast burrito? You’re not working. You should be in charge of your own breakfast.” Mine is from the stash of meal-prepped burritos in the fridge. If he eats all the prepared breakfasts while he’s here … My eyes narrow involuntarily, already pissed.

He snorts, taking a huge bite. “I am,” he says around his giant mouthful of food, and I can only understand him because I have years of practice of interpreting my disgusting brother’s disgusting habits. “I made it myself.”

I arch an eyebrow and reach for my coffee, slightly mollified. At least he’s not eating my food. Or Mom and Dad’s. “You talk with your mouth full like that around Lydia?” My eyes scan him down and up again, telegraphing how unimpressive I find him. “Because you could not pay me enough to date a man who behaves like you.”

He snorts, finishes chewing, makes a big show of swallowing, then glares at me. “Please. You’ve dated far worse than me.”

Sadly, he’s not wrong. “Yeah, well, after years of living with you, I thought it was normal. Thankfully, now I know better. I won’t make that mistake again.”

Another snort from my oh-so-classy brother.

“You getting a cold?” I ask. “Need a tissue?”

Rolling his eyes, he shakes his head, and I grin as I take another bite. “Back to your dating life,” he says, thankfully swallowing before speaking again.

“I thought we’d moved on from that,” I say. “I don’t want to date disgusting boys anymore. What else is there to say?”

“Please, Nora,” he scoffs. “You act like the guys were the whole problem. What about you? Your favorite pastime in high school was stringing guys along, making them lust after you, then breaking their hearts.”

My anger spikes at his comment, and I force myself to take a deep breath, finishing the last few bites of my burrito before responding, even though it now tastes like sawdust. “Look, Dylan,” I say quietly, staring at my plate and trying to keep my voice as level and calm as I can, “I know you think I’m some ditzy flirt who uses guys like tissues, but I’m really not. Yeah, I dated a lot in high school. And even in college.” I raise my eyes to his. “I like kissing boys. I like going on dates. Neither of those things are crimes. I never pretended to be anyone or anything that I’m not. I never led anyone on. I am not responsible for the delusions of hormonal teenage boys. And I’m not that person anymore. I want something real now. And while I get that you don’t like that I’m dating your former best friend”—I place heavy emphasis on former —“the fact is, he pursued me. So instead of getting your undies in a bunch, maybe talk to him, okay?”

Standing, I gather my dishes, down the rest of my coffee, and leave the room, ignoring my brother’s incoherent spluttering.

Dylan can think what he likes. But I really like Austin. And while I don’t know what the future holds, I’m confident that this relationship is a good thing, no matter what happens in the end.