The Broody Brit for Christmas (Holiday Springs #1) - M.J. Fields Page 0,82
do at least once a week. Not only because she deserves to know how loved she is, but because when she found out—the night shit went down with that wanker Townes—that I literally threw three dozen roses away, she was a bit miffed.
Sitting around the small table in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, I watch as Nikki bounces her knee up and down nervously.
I watch her exhale and look at Nathaniel. “Did your dad tell you your grandparents are coming in for the holidays?”
He nods. “Don’t worry. They’re cool. Well, sort of.”
I can’t help but laugh, and he does, too.
“Well,” Nikki smiles, “I know we have these dinners with your father most nights, and they are a blast. I was kind of wondering how you two would feel—”
“Wondering my backside, I’ve all but begged you to move in here.”
Nathaniel drops his fork; his shocked expression is quickly replaced with a smile. “Are you moving in so my grandparents can take the loft?”
“I was kind of hoping that would be okay.”
“Um, yes!” He grins.
She blurts out, “Really?”
“Uh huh. This way, you can be closer to us.”
I watch as tears fill her eyes. “I’d love it if maybe you and I could still have some time alone. Just us?”
“Will we still be hanging out with Aunt Faith and doing our book club?”
“Most definitely.” She nods.
“Do you like watching sports?”
“I do.”
“Awesome. We watch a lot of soccer.”
“I bet you both miss it during the offseason.”
“Can we start skiing?”
“Nathaniel, she’ll be living here but still working and—”
Nikki interrupts me, “I’ll ski with you if you both learn how to ice skate with me.”
“Can we start tomorrow?” Nate asks.
“Nathaniel, I was thinking tomorrow we could get her all moved in, and maybe you and I make dinner for Nikki, you know, welcome her into the family, properly.”
“Right, of course.” He takes the last bite of his chicken and biscuits and asks, “Can I be excused?”
“Of course,” Nikki and I say at the same time and then exchange a smile.
He stands up, grabs his plate, and starts toward the sink, but stops at Nikki’s side.
“Thanks for dinner, Nikki. I love the way you cook.” His eyes are so sincere.
“Thank you, sweetie.” She swallows hard, my heart filling up.
“My dad does, too. He likes you more than I’ve ever seen him like anyone.”
“I feel the same way about him. And you.”
Then he leans in and gives her a quick kiss on the cheek and says, “Welcome home, Nikki.”
“Oh my God,” she says, hands to chest. “Is it okay to tell you I love you, Nate?”
He nods, and when I see what looks like tears misting his eyes, my heart nearly explodes. “I love you, too, Nikki.”
I stand up and grab my plate and Nikki’s and take them to the sink.
“Dad?”
“Son?” I say, still trying to get my shit together.
“You think we can have a fire tonight and maybe plan what our new Thanksgiving traditions are going to be with Nikki?”
“Yeah, of course.” I turn on the water and start rinsing the dishes.
“Can you stay tonight, Nikki?”
“Of course, there’s nowhere else I would rather be.”
Lying back in bed, I look at Nikki as she climbs in on what I can now call her side. “That certainly escalated quickly.”
She waits for me to get comfortable and then wraps her body around me.
“I can’t believe it’s eleven at night,” Nikki yawns, snuggling in closer with her head on my chest.
“I can’t believe you’re in this bed and won’t be sneaking out tonight.” I laugh.
“I swear I love you, but Nathaniel has me wrapped.”
I look down at her. “I wouldn’t have guessed.”
She pinches me lightly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Thanksgiving dinner for all of us at the bar?” I ask.
“Us, my family, and yours, plus the staff, and we’re hosting.” She reminds me as if I could forget, and she does so with a smile.
I squeeze her arse. “You sure about this?”
“Of course, I am.”
“Good, cause I am, too.”
She looks up and scrunches up her nose. “You’re gonna have to pinch me daily.”
Chuckling, I ask, “How about I make love to you every day instead?”
Rule Number Twenty-Six
Never give up on Hope
Nikki
Monday before Thanksgiving
Thankfully, the office building I found is only five minutes from Grams and Pops at Shady Oaks retirement homes. I still visit them every Monday, just at a different hour, and for less time. I was worried at first that it would interfere with their schedule, but they assured me it didn’t.