Holly looked at me. “Of course we can. Why don’t you go get set up, and I’ll make the popcorn,” I offered, earning me a squeal and a hug before Noelle darted off not realizing what she’d just done.
“Pajamas first,” Holly called out behind her, only to get groaned at which made me chuckle.
I started collecting the plates and clearing the table. Holly followed me into the kitchen, setting her own plate on the sink. Taking advantage of the moment, I caged her against the counter, breathing her in.
“And what about you, Holly,” I began. “Are you going to put your pajamas on and curl up to watch a movie?”
Holly’s hands sat on my hips, her touch burning me. “I just might. And if you play your cards right, I might even be persuaded to snuggle.”
Before I knew what was happening, she pressed up on her toes and kissed my lips so quickly I barely registered what was happening before she slipped out of my grip and disappeared into my bedroom. Woman was damn lucky we had a six-year-old chaperone or I’d throw her over my shoulder, spank her ass, and remind her how not nice it was to tease.
It took half an hour for everyone to be ready, but finally with all the blankets spread out, we were ready. I’d tried to sit down in my jeans and got told I needed to change. Noelle was insistent, and although I couldn’t exactly tell her I didn’t own pajamas, I changed into sweats and she was happy.
Finally, with Noelle curled up in a nest on the floor and Holly and I sitting on the couch, the movie started.
“I love this movie!” Noelle exclaimed as the credits rolled forMiracle on 34th Street. I hadn’t seen it before, but when it showed up in the list, the excitement on their faces had me pressing play.
Holly and I sat beside each other playing a dangerous game. With the bowl of popcorn between us, we focused on the screen. Well, she did. I focused on her. She nibbled on popcorn and her bottom lip. She had her feet tucked up underneath her, her pink fluffy socks poking out.
We finished the popcorn and I set the bowl aside before rearranging the blankets. After spreading one across us both, Holly shot me a look that had me chuckling under my breath. Her eyes went wide, and when she pointed at Noelle curled up on the floor completely captivated by the images on screen, I grabbed her feet and pulled them into my lap. When I startedmassaging her feet, she moaned and turned to goo under my touch.
Ten minutes later, I called out to Noelle. “Noelle? Noelle?”
“She’s down for the count.” Holly laughed.
“She was the one who wanted to watch it,” I protested.
“Yep. She’s notorious for this. She makes you watch a movie, and the next thing you know, she’s snoring and you’re left watching Frozen for the millionth time. I should get her into bed,” Holly suggested.
“I got her,” I replied, tossing the blanket back and scooping Noelle up into my arms.
As I carried her across the apartment into my room, she snuggled in against my chest not realizing what she was doing. Even though she was asleep, Noelle was burrowing her way into my heart.
I laid her down on the mattress while Holly covered her over.
“She’s adorable,” I murmured quietly from the doorway.
Holly came to stand beside me, and for a moment, we stood there silently watching Noelle sleep. “She is when she’s sleeping.” Holly smiled as she flicked off the light.
I reached down and tangled my fingers with Holly’s, tugging her away from the room. “Come watch a movie with me,” I invited.
“Is that like Netflix and chill?” Holly asked, and I raised an eyebrow at her.
“Netflix and chill?”
“Oh my god. You really have been living under a rock. Just put the movie on.” Holly laughed as she settled back on her end of the couch. “What are we watching?”
“Are you kidding me? I’ve gotta know how this ends,” I replied, dropping down on the couch and reaching for Holly.
Thankfully, she came willingly, and we stretched out, herback pressed against my front as I spooned her on the couch as the movie played. It didn’t take long before Holly, just like her daughter, had fallen asleep. My arm was numb, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t going anywhere in a hurry. I turned the TV off and lay there with Holly in my arms. It was the single best night of my life.
twenty-one
HOLLY
“Mom, what are you doing?”
I cracked my eyes open to find Noelle standing there confused. I tried to stretch my legs only to have the band around my stomach tighten. Only it wasn’t a band. It was an arm. A man’s arm. My daughter had just found me asleep with a man. Panic hit.
