She didn’t. I look up at her in awe. She nods at me and bounces slightly like she is excited for me.
I grip the paper to reveal a Mighty Morphin Power Ranger Deluxe Special Edition Black and Gold Megazord.
I blink rapidly, my eyes getting watery. Dropping the gift to the side of the chair, I stand and pull Noelle into my arms.
She fits perfectly in them. It’s like she belongs here. My lips press onto hers, and willingly, she opens her mouth. Her tongue touches mine, and dear God, I want more. She tastes like the prosecco and sex. Her fingers dig into my waist, gripping my sweater.
Someone clears their throat, and I didn’t give a fuck. My woman—wait, my woman?
I pull away, watching her puffy lips and her eyes. In two weeks, she became my woman. I have lost the fucking plot, and I don’t care. But I fucking should.
Tillie claps. “You two are perfect for each other. Gag gifts. You get her jewelry. She gives you nostalgia. I can’t deal with it.”
Liam moves across the room to my side.
“Oh my God. Is that the Mighty Morphin Power Ranger Deluxe Special Edition Black and Gold Megazord? Mom, can I have it?” Liam says as he holds the box.
Noelle comes out of my embrace and politely snatches it out of Liam’s hands. “Get your own.”
I laugh and pull her to my side. “I have the best fiancée in the whole damn world.”
Tessa flinches, but she is no longer my concern. The woman on my right side is.
Chapter seven
RULE #6: Avoid being counterproductive.
NOELLE
Last night, we felt like a couple. We felt real. This morning, it’s like Roman reverted to the man I met a week ago.
“Are you excited for the snow-a-thon?” I ask, pulling my boots on.
“No,” he says. That’s all I’ve been getting all morning. Short clipped answers. I stand determined not to let his miserable ass darken my mood.
I love winter and sledding. I only saw people sledding on TV as a kid, so I’m excited. A snow-a-thon is all things snow. Sledding, skiing, snowboarding, etc.
When we met everyone downstairs, we were all full of joy. Except for Roman and Tessa.
“You ready?” Tillie asks.
“More than you know,” I reply, fixing my beanie.
“Oh, and the instructors at the lodge? Goddamn hot, like Italians, Germans, tall, thick…gorgeous.” Tillie shimmies her shoulders at me.
“Gorgeous men on Earth are such a blessing.” I giggle.
Tillie cackles. “Right? And they have the best asses.”
Roman’s shadow shrouds us. “Either you both stay here talking nonsense or get in the van.”
He turns and walks away.
“What bee got in his crotch?” Tillie asks.
I shrug. “I don’t know. Either way, I am too excited to care.”
It took us two hours of driving up a winding hill between snow-capped trees to reach our destination: Voss Winter Lodge & Resort.
