She shakes her head and sniffles. “Nothing, it’s stupid.”
“It’s not stupid, tell me.” I give her shoulder a shake as I pull her into my side.
She shakes her head and shrugs. “I just love this place. It’s been my home almost my entire life and seeing it all light up, I don’t know, it brings back reminders about how it became my home inthe first place.”
My heart sinks lower in my chest thinking about why Noelle landed in Evergreen Hollow when she was a little girl. The loss she suffered that brought her here.
“It’s always a weird mix of grief and joy when I see it all lit up,” she continues. She brings a hand to her cheek to wipe away the tear that’s fallen down her cheek. “Like I said, stupid.”
I fold her into my chest, forcing her to wrap her arms around my center and hold her tightly.
“It’s not stupid, sugar. Not even a little. And while I never knew them, I know your parents would be proud of the woman you’ve become. I know I am.” I kiss her on the top of the head in reassurance, ground rules be damned.
She holds onto me a few seconds longer before taking a step back and looking at me. She looks like she’s about to say something but a voice cuts through between us.
“Hey, you two, come inside and eat. I saved you both a plate and I have hot chocolate on the stove,” Eve calls out from the porch. Her arms are wrapped around her center as she stands in the cold. I didn’t even notice how cold it had gotten until Noelle pulled away from me.
She gives me a shy smile. “I guess it’s time to eat.”
When she takes a few steps away, I reach for her hand and stop her. Turning, she looks at where we’re connected before bringing her eyes to mine.
“I mean it, Noelle. I’m really proud of you. Of everything you do here. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met.”
She squeezes my hand. “Thanks. Now come on, I’m starving and I think if we ask nicely, Eve will throw in some of her homemade gingersnaps she made for Thanksgiving dinner with our hot chocolate.”
Then she pulls away to head inside, leaving me standing in the cold.
CHAPTER 16
Noelle
After dipping out of the inn to head home and change for Thanksgiving dinner, I’m about to leave again to go back and start to put the finishing touches on everything before our guests arrive. Eve has been in the kitchen since five this morning working to get everything done and while she’s trying to play up her cool New York attitude, I still picked up on the stress she’s carrying. Having been her best friend since we were in first grade, I know when she gets like this it’s best to leave her be and let her do her thing. Looking around our now shared apartment, I make sure that I have everything before going back to work for the rest of the night. I try to take a steadying breath knowing good and well that once Nick and his family show up, we have to put on the performance of a lifetime.
My mouth pulls back in the corners thinking about how he came to the inn yesterday to help me finish decorating. Or how he comforted me when the memory of my parents snuck up on me out of nowhere. Every time he does something nice for me, like bringing me coffee a few days ago, the harder it gets to pretend like I’m still not totally in love with him. Ithought I was going to melt into a puddle at his feet when he kissed the top of my head yesterday. And my slip of pressing a finger into his dimple? I need to get it together if I’m going to survive this fake marriage.
I’m about to head back to the inn when a knock comes from my front door. Frowning, I move to open it and am surprised to see him standing there.
“Hello, wife. You ready for dinner?” he asks, looking as handsome as ever. His hair looks freshly washed and he’s wearing a deep green sweater that highlights the green in his eyes.
“What are you doing here? I thought you were meeting me at Holly House with your family?” I’ve stopped trying to convince him to not call me ‘wife.’ No amount of arguing I do is working anyway. Plus, part of me secretly likes being addressed as such.What’s the harm in enjoying it while it lasts?
“I don’t remember agreeing to that,” he says. “I figured you had things to do before the evening starts. As your husband, it’s my job to help you get things done in the least stressful way possible.”
I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m actually thankful he’s here. Sure it would be easier to keep him at arms length all night but the truth is, knowing he’s there to help if I need him is a fresh type of comfort I didn’t know I needed.
“Well…okay then,” I say hesitantly, not wanting to let my heart run away with my head. I need to stay focused on tonight going off without a hitch and not get distracted by my criminally handsome fake husband.
He pulls my front door closed when I step out and waits for me to lock it before waving a hand in front of him, letting me move down the hallway first. I guess our big performancestarts now.
Thanks to Eve, dinner is absolutely perfect. Finally feeling better, Belle came in before me to start working on the table settings. Together, we added earth-toned velvet ribbons to each plate as well as setting out place cards directing people where to sit. The table Grams and I normally sit at for our breakfasts was replaced with a larger one knowing that Nick’s family would be joining us. He stood in the doorway, greeting people as they came in and helped them find their seats. I smiled each time he pulled out a chair for a woman to take her seat and how he charmed the guests as he welcomed them in. There were a few times where when I looked over at him he was already looking back at me—dimples on full display.
Everyone is sitting in their respective seats enjoying their meal. Even Eve is eating, standing in the corner holding a plate filled with food she’s spent all week cooking. She isn’t alone though. Standing next to her, holding her drink, is Jack. He came alone and has spent the entire evening by her side. Helping her serve or making sure she’s getting something to eat herself. Every time I look over to where they are, he’s looking longingly at her, hanging onto every word she’s saying as if it’s the most fascinating thing he’s ever heard.
The fire cracks and pops in the background as the low murmur of people’s conversations float through the air. The dining room is full of people, both guests and of people from around town. Nick and I have done a good job of playing the part of a married couple to the point that there should be no doubt that what we have is real. I’m even struggling to remind myself that it’s notreal.
“While we were a little surprised when Nick told us you got married, we’re still so happy for you both,” hismom says, smiling in my direction. The entire family is sitting at the table, finishing our meal as the night comes to an end.
“Thank you, that means a lot to me,” I reply, trying to sound as sincere as possible. Nick reaches over and takes my hand into his, pulling it towards his mouth, and kissing the back of it. My heart flutters when he winks at me as his lips make contact with my skin.
