Page 47

I grin at him. “Anytime, Moe.”

“Hey, Moe, can I steal this girl for the night?” Nix calls from behind me and at just the sound of his voice, I feel lightheaded. I have to mash my lips together to keep from grinning like a loon. Moe notices and the knowing smirk on his face irritates me. I whirl around to face Nix and he smiles down at me. His blue eyes sparkle, and I’m completely swept up in him. The rest of the world fades to a blur around us as I get lost in his eyes. How does he do this to me?

“Sure thing!” Moe yells back, snapping me out of my daze and I sigh. Why are these people always meddling in my life?

“What are you doing?” I ask Nix.

He grins and shakes his head. “It’s a surprise. Come on.”

I remove my apron and throw it under the bar. “You should know that I really hate surprises.”

“You’ll like this one.” He grabs my hand, intertwining our fingers, and I follow him out to his truck. He opens the passenger door for me and holds out his hand. “Madam.”

“Who says chivalry is dead?” I tease as I climb into the truck. He closes the door and leans in the open window.

“Truth be told, I’m just trying to get in your pants.”

“Phoenix!”

He laughs and I can’t help but join him.

“Uh-oh. She used my full name, I’m in trouble,” he teases, winking at me before making his way around to the driver’s side.

We drive in silence for a little ways before I look over at him. “So, I heard a secret today.”

His gaze flicks over to me quickly before focusing on the road again. “Oh, yeah? What was it?”

“That you’re crazy about me.”

He smiles. “Was that a secret? Damn, I’ve got to step up my game.”

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. “I can’t think straight around you, Nix.”

“Maybe it’s time to stop thinking, baby.”

We ride the rest of the way to the apartment in comfortable silence, Nix focused on the road as I watch the sun finish its daily descent before plunging the world around us into darkness. Just as the stars start to peek out overhead, Nix pulls up in front of the apartment and turns to me.

“Wait right here.”

Before I can even reply, he jumps out of the truck and jogs around to the passenger side to open the door for me. He extends his hand, offering it to me and I bite back a smile as I slip my hand into his and hop out of the truck. Fighting back an excited smile, he laces our fingers together and starts leading me up the sidewalk to my apartment building. I stare up at him as we walk up the steps, trying to figure out what he’s planning but I come up empty. When we reach my door, he releases my hand and holds his other out in front of me, expectantly.

“Keys,” he commands and I pull them out of my bag before dropping them into his hand. His excited energy is rubbing off on me and as he turns to unlock the door, I suck in a deep breath and will myself to calm down. Once the door is unlocked, he turns back to me and my curiosity is even more piqued because he left the door closed instead of opening it.

What the heck is in there?

Nix slips my keys into his pocket as he moves behind me, placing his large hands over my eyes and pressing a kiss to the spot just behind my ear that has me melting into him.

“You ready for your surprise?” His breath rushes over my ear, producing goose bumps down my arms and I barely hold back a shudder as I nod my head. Nix moves so only one hand is covering my eyes and I hear the hinges on the door squeak as it swings open before both hands are back on my eyes and he’s slowly guiding me inside.

“Watch your step,” he says softly and I feel out in front of me with my foot for the ledge that I already know is there before cautiously stepping over it. He expertly maneuvers me inside and kicks the door closed behind us.

“Okay, wait right here,” he instructs, letting his hands fall from my eyes and I wait until I hear him walking away from me to peek one eye open and look around, frowning when I’m met with complete darkness. My heart rate spikes as I open both eyes and look around for any source of light but find none. Just when I’m about to call out to Nix for an explanation, the apartment comes to life all around me and I gasp. Strings of white lights frame each window, bathing the room in a warm glow, and a Christmas tree stands in the corner, tall and proud. It’s adorned with colored lights and a silver garland that gives it a little extra pop.

“What have you done?” I ask, turning to Nix and even I can hear the wonder in my voice. Grinning, he presses a button on his phone and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Pentatonix begins playing on the sound system. I let out a giggle and tears fill my eyes as I sweep over my apartment again. There’s a fireplace heater wedged into the corner with two stockings hanging off it and old lanterns, filled with lights and ornaments, decorating the top. Every door is draped with lighted garland and red ribbon and there is a giant wreath hanging on the front door.

“Where did you even find all this?” I ask, spinning back to look at him and I can’t wipe the smile off my face.

He shrugs. “I have my ways.”