One Silent Night (Romeo Family Romance #9) - Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,13
a philandering husband. The good news is that Aiden is still young enough so that he doesn’t fully realize what’s happening. By the time he’s old enough to understand, it will be old news.” Before Holden could comment, Noelle switched gears. “Tell me about you.” Her hands worked expertly, falling into old habits as she pulled his hair between her fingers and used her scissors to cut his hair in neat snips. “Birdie tells me that you’re making quite a name for yourself as a coach.”
“I don’t know about that,” he said offhandedly. “I have a great group of boys to work with and a good support staff. That helps.”
A smile tipped her lips. “Well, I see that’s one way you haven’t changed.”
He looked surprised. “What’s that?”
“Always deflecting praise.”
Deep-throated, musical laughter rumbled in his throat. “You know me too well.” He caught her eyes in the mirror and held them.
She blinked to break the connection as she cleared her throat. “So, you’ve been back in Franklin for two years? I think that’s what Birdie said.”
“Yep, after college, I coached a few years in Huntsville, Alabama. It’s good to be back home.”
“How are your mom and dad?”
“Great. Mom’s still working at the hospital. Dad retired last year. He keeps himself busy milling around the house, doing repairs and helping all the neighbors with their handiwork.”
“Your parents are great. I miss seeing them.” Holden’s mom, June, was a pediatric nurse, and his dad, Ardy, was a junior high school principal. The accident had hit them hard. Noelle couldn’t even begin to imagine the heartache and turmoil they’d been through. She was glad to hear that they were doing well.
Holden looked thoughtful. “You should stop by and visit my folks. They’d love to see you and meet Aiden.”
“I might do that sometime,” she said evasively. Maybe she would eventually, but right now, she wanted to get acclimated before going back to her old neighborhood and seeing her former home. She didn’t need any more painful reminders right now that her mom was gone.
When the top was done, Noelle ran her fingers through his hair, checking the length. Next, she picked up her trimmer, placed a guard over the blade, and began working on the back. She tried not to notice how masculine Holden’s tanned neck was. His shoulders were broad and muscled. She remembered running her fingers over those shoulders, pulling him close, getting lost in the feel of his lips. She squelched the renegade memories flat like a bug under a rug. “So,” she began, “you and Meredith are together.” Yep, that’s the point she needed to touch on. It was a good reminder that she needed to keep her thoughts in check and not venture too far down memory lane.
His face went red. “We’ve dated off and on. Nothing serious.”
It was curious and concerning how quickly Noelle’s heart lifted. Remember, she commanded herself, you’re not going there with Holden. Ever again! It doesn’t matter who Holden dates.
“How about you?” he asked. “Are you dating anyone?”
She jerked, a startled chortle rising in her throat. “Nope. And I don’t plan on it anytime soon. I’m taking a break, trying to get my life back in order.”
The corners of his lips turned down. “That’s too bad.”
She was partially amused by his reaction. “Why’s that?”
He shrugged. “I was hoping we could go out and get some pizza.” His eyes sparkled with teasing. “I mean, it’s not every day that a guy gets to go out with a girl who can eat him under the table.”
Her mouth fell as she pulled the trimmer away from his hair and shoved his shoulder. “That was years ago,” she scoffed.
“You put away six slices of pizza,” he laughed. “Six!”
“Five!” she countered, rolling her eyes. “I was what—sixteen or seventeen years old? I hadn’t eaten all day.”
“I was just impressed that a little thing like you could hold that much pizza.”
He spoke the words as a compliment that wasn’t lost on her. “Well, I certainly wouldn’t be eating that many slices now,” she retorted.
“I’ll bet you could still put away your fair share of pizza,” he mused.
She gawked. “I’ll bet I can’t.”
His eyes lit with adventure. “Care to put a wager on it?”
She grunted, a smile tugging at her lips. “I don’t think so.”
“Come on, Noe,” he urged. “We can even take Aiden with us. I’m sure he’d love it.”
She blinked several times, her voice pitching high. “Are you asking me on a date?”