5. Sydney

CHAPTER 5

SYDNEY

O f all the guys in the entire world, why did I have to fall for one I couldn’t be with? The thought raced through my mind as Nick’s strong hand clutched mine and he pointed out all the cute boutique shops decked out for Christmas. I tried to focus on his words and block out the pounding of my heart, but that wasn’t exactly easy. Santa and his reindeers had a simpler job on Christmas Eve than I did here in this moment.

An impossible moment. A freaking perfect, wonderful moment.

My chest ached at the thought; my heart was definitely going to be broken after this week.

Damn Nick Milton. Why? Why did I agree to this?

“Syd?” Nick’s hazel eyes stared down at me. A hot blush crept up my neck and I was glad he wasn’t a mind reader. Best to keep my feelings to myself.

“Hmmm?”

“Do you want to go in here?” He motioned at a cute gift shop on my right.

“Sure. I need to get your parents something.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do. But it was such short notice, I didn’t have time to get anything. This could work.” I pushed through the doors, a wind chime tinkling softly over my head. The smells of cinnamon, vanilla, and pine hit me and I took a deep, calming breath. I could totally do this.

“Nick Milton! You home for the holidays?” A petite woman about our age made eyes at Nick and my stomach clenched, a strong bolt of possessiveness racing through me.

“Yep, sure am. How are you, Willow?”

I worked hard at keeping a neutral expression, even as my pulse shot up. Of course he knew her, this was a small town. Calm the fuck down, Sydney.

“I’ve been watching every game. I’m so freaking happy you’re back playing for New England!” Willow bounced from behind the counter, threw her arms around Nick.

What the hell? Couldn’t she see we were together? Even though, technically, I guess we weren’t. Details…

I cleared my throat, smoothing my hair down over my shoulder.

“Oh hey, Willow, this is my girlfriend, Sydney.”

My breath hitched at the declaration, even as effervescent happiness bubbled through me, unclenching my stomach a teensy bit.

“Nice to meet you, Sydney.” Willow reached out, giving my arm a squeeze, and a flash of guilt stabbed me in the gut. She was actually nice.

“You too,” I said, infusing my voice with warmth to compensate for my inner thoughts. Clearly, I’d been jaded by the city. “I need to get a gift for Nick’s parents. Any recommendations?”

“Let me think.” Willow chewed on her lip, her eyes scanning the store. “Mrs. Milton is a fan of the beach and of course, football. I think I can pull something together for you. C’mon.” She linked arms with me, pulling me away from Nick towards a large candle display.

“I’ll just look around up here. You two have fun.” Nick waved at me as Willow dragged me down the aisle.

“So, how long have you two been dating? You live in Boston, right? I always knew Nick would make it. He’s so great—cute, charming, talented.” Willow’s big blue eyes glazed over as she waxed poetic about Nick.

“Um, a while,” I said, purposefully vague. “Do you know each other from school?”

She nodded. “Yep. All the way back to grade school. His brother, Nate, too. Smell this.” Willow thrust a turquoise three-wick soy candle under my nose and I sniffed.

“Nice. Clean, beachy. That works.”

“Perfect. Next, I’m thinking some cute hand towels for the guest bath.” She crossed to the next aisle, combing through the towel selection. “I’m liking these for Mrs. Milton.” She held up a set of crisp white towels embroidered with a fancy gold M. “Classic and elegant, just like her.”

“Great.”

“How about these lotions,” she thrust two bottles—one navy and one white—at me and kept moving, “and this bath bomb. Customers LOVE this.” She palmed the swirly blue-and-white ball. “It fizzes in the water and is infused with essential oils. So great for your skin.”

I nodded. “Wonderful. Do you have any special teas? I need something for his gran as well.”

“Yes! I’ll go put this together in a basket for you while you browse the teas. Two aisles over.” She motioned to the right with her blonde head, then spun towards the counter with our selections.

I made my way over to the tea aisle, bending over to get a good look at the assortment. They had the standard stuff: mint, Earl Grey, lemon verbena, but also some more interesting combos like Sugar Cookie and Spicy Christmas.

“Hey you.” Nick’s deep voice rumbled behind me, sending a shiver of excitement rippling down my spine. Damn it. Then his hand grazed my ass as he closed the distance between us, pressing his taut body up against me, and my disloyal muscles went weak. Double damn it.

“Hey,” I said in my breeziest voice, straightening up but not daring to turn around. “Just picking out some teas for your gran.”

“She’ll like that,” he murmured near my ear, his large hand resting on my hip. My breath caught in my throat as his clean, familiar scent engulfed me, all my nerve endings on fire. This was absolute torture.

I’d seriously underestimated my feelings for this man.

“You think?” I practically whispered to the row of teas in front of me.

“She’ll love it.” His breath ruffled my hair and goosebumps rose on my skin.

“Sydney, what do you think about this?” Willow rounded the corner, stopping short when she saw Nick. “Oh, sorry.” She blushed, a deep crimson staining her ivory cheeks. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“It’s fine,” I said, waving my hand and stepping away from Nick. “And I love it. Great, thanks. So here are the teas,” I thrust them at her. “Maybe throw in some cookies or something?”

“I can do that.” Willow took the teas and moved out of the row just as quickly as she’d come.

“That was awkward,” I mouthed to Nick. He chuckled as I folded my arms across my chest. “And what if she leaks this to someone?”

Nick rolled his eyes. “To who, Syd? Willow’s my friend, she wouldn’t do that.”

I took a deep breath, raising a brow at him.

“I’ll ask her to keep it on the DL, okay?”

“Yes. Good. Thank you.” I nodded, pushing my paranoia away. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Nick grinned. “I forgot how cute you are when you’re worried.”

I punched him in the arm. “Great, thanks a lot.”

I pivoted and headed towards the counter to pay.

“Great choices, Sydney. I’m sure they’ll love these gifts.” Willow finished tying the baskets with shiny gold ribbon. “Are you guys going to the Ugly Sweater party tomorrow night?”

“We’ll be there,” Nick said, nodding.

“Super. I’ll see you there then.”

I handed over my credit card, shooting Nick a dirty look when Willow wasn’t looking.

“Here you go, Sydney.”

“Thanks.”

“Listen, Willow, we’re keeping things real quiet right now.” Nick gestured between the two of us.

Willow nodded, a solemn look on her face. “Gotcha. My lips are sealed.” She traced an imaginary line over her mouth and winked. “See you tomorrow.”

“See ya.”

Nick scooped up the oversized shopping bag in one hand, looping his other hand around my waist. As we walked out of the store, he leaned over, “How was that?”

“That part was fine. But what the hell is this Ugly Sweater party? And why didn’t you tell me about it?” A hot bolt of fresh panic raced through me as I mentally reviewed my wardrobe, coming up blank. “I didn’t bring anything with me.”

“No prob. I’m sure my mom has something you could wear.”

I cut my eyes at him. “Really? Your mother?”

“What? You guys are about the same height.”

I smacked my forehead for full effect. “No, Nick, I don’t want to borrow a sweater from your mom!”

“Oh, I know. I bet you could borrow something from Jackson’s girlfriend.”

“Cool. A total stranger.”

“Dude. I’m out of ideas. We’re in Starlight Bay. There’s nowhere to get an ugly sweater here. C’mon, just borrow one from Harper.”

I sighed. “You’ve basically left me no choice.”

“You’re such a team player—I love that about you.”

“Be glad I’ve had years of crisis management practice, Milton.”

He smiled, his adorable dimple erasing a smidgeon of my annoyance. “Just one of your amazing attributes. I’ll text Jackson and see what we can figure out.”

I rolled my eyes, but went along with the plan. I loved his mom, but I really didn’t want to have to borrow her clothes.