One Silent Night (Romeo Family Romance #9) - Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,25

said anything.”

Was Birdie imagining things? Why hadn’t she said anything to Noelle?

“Do you think the fires are connected?” Zoe asked.

“I—I’m not sure.” Birdie glanced in Noelle’s direction. Her eyes widened when she realized that Noelle was listening.

“What’s going on?” Noelle demanded.

Before Birdie could answer, Holden stepped into the foyer with a chipper smile. “Well, Noe, I guess I’ll see you on Saturday. Pick you up at three?”

Her jaw dropped. “Pick me up?”

A streak of uncertainty ran through his features. “Yeah, Birdie said it would be easier for me to just swing by and grab you. That way, we’ll have only one vehicle at the festival.”

“Really?” Noelle spouted as she looked at Birdie who wore a sheepish expression.

“Parking is horrendous at the festival,” Birdie said in the way of a defense.

Zoe grinned. “Ah, just let him pick you up,” she said offhandedly with a wave of her hand. “It’ll make his day.”

Noelle looked at Holden to get his reaction to Zoe’s comment. His cheeks were a tad flushed. He shoved a hand in his pocket, shuffling his Converse tennis shoes. He looked so darn cute that Noelle felt herself relent. “Okay, fine,” she sighed. “We’ll go to the festival together.”

A pleased smile moved over Holden’s lips, showcasing his dazzling white teeth. “I guess it’s a date,” he winked. Since when did he start looking like a poster child for a hunk? How could she not be affected by him?

“No,” Noelle gawked, her cheeks stinging, “it’s definitely not a date.”

Amusement flitted over Holden’s chiseled features. “Glad we got that squared away,” he mused.

“Look,” Zoe cooed, pointing. “Y’all are standing under the mistletoe.”

To her horror, Noelle looked up realizing that it was true.

“Kiss her,” Zoe urged with a wicked smile. “It’s tradition.”

Noelle shot her cousin a dark look. She wanted to shove a sock into Zoe’s meddling mouth. Zoe’s eyes zinged with a playful teasing that let Noelle know her cousin wasn’t the least bit quelled by Noelle’s irritation.

“What’re you waiting for, Coach?” Zoe chirped. “I’ve given you the ball. Time to run it into the end-zone.”

“Zoe,” Birdie exclaimed, “that’s enough. Give them a break!”

Holden pursed his lips thoughtfully, sizing Noelle up. “You know,” he mused, “I think I’ll pass on this one.”

The comment stung like a nest full of hornets. The words rushed out of Noelle’s mouth before her head could comprehend what she was saying. “What? You think you’re too good to kiss me?” Yikes! Had she really just said that? She must be losing it!

His eyes took on a deep smolder as he stepped up to her. His gaze moved over her slowly, thoroughly as if drinking her in. Her pulse shot through the roof when he leaned in, his lips brushing with feather lightness against her cheek. His warm breath tickled and teased, circling tingles around her spine. She lost herself for a minute. “Goodnight, Noe,” he murmured as he stepped back and moved past her with lithe, sure steps as he went out the door.

“He’s good,” Zoe drawled with a velvety laugh. “Now that’s what I call a smooth operator.”

Noelle took in a deep breath, trying to calm her erratic heartbeat. She was astounded and alarmed by the ache of longing that Holden had evoked. It seeped through her body, going clear to her bones. In that one, terrible moment, a sad, bitter truth penetrated her consciousness—she’d never gotten over Holden. Not by a long shot.

Maybe she never would.

That was a crying shame because under no circumstances could she ever go back to him again!

6

As Holden’s head hit the pillow, he closed his eyes thinking about Noelle. It had taken all the fortitude he could muster to keep from pulling her into his arms and planting a long, demanding kiss on her enticing lips. He didn’t blame Noelle for being wary of him. Heck, if the situation were reversed, he’d feel the same way. He’d told himself before Noelle came back that he’d keep his distance, allow her to rebuild her life without any interference from him.

Then, fate stepped in, and she’d fallen into those cans of ham, providing him with the perfect introduction. A grin stole over his lips. He could hug Aiden’s little rambunctious neck for causing the accident. Holden had gone to the salon today with the clear intent of getting Noelle to cut his hair. Yesterday, Meredith had mentioned that she was taking off a few extra hours around lunchtime to do some Christmas shopping. Holden figured it was the perfect time to act.