Holidays are Hell

Nick didn't respond until they reached the first set of lights. Braking then, he met her glance and said quietly, "We've been friends for six months, Jill. I know everything about you. The only thing I didn't know was whether we'd be sexually compatible…" He glanced to the light and back, and then added, "Of course. It's pretty obvious now that won't be an issue."

Jill flushed, but merely smiled and reached over to squeeze his leg. This day was turning out to be more than she'd ever expected. All she'd hoped for was being asked out on a date and possibly a first kiss. She was getting much more than that. It was as if the last six months of their lunches and platonic friendship had been dating without it actually being called that, and without kissing or anything else. Now they were moving ahead at an amazing rate. From friends, to almost lovers and being "the one."

She shook her head with amazement. If it weren't for John Heathcliffe's antics this would be the most perfect day she could imagine.

"Here we are," Nick announced and then blew out a whistle. "It looks like we're the last to arrive. We'll be lucky to find parking anywhere nearby."

Jill didn't comment, but was just recalling that she was barefoot when Nick said, "By the way. There are shoes in the bag too."

She glanced at him with surprise and then caught up the bag from where it lay discarded on the floor and retrieved a pair of dressy black shoes. Her eyes widened with surprise as she noted the size.

Nick grinned. "I own a shoe store, love. I can guess a shoe size at a glance and am usually right."

She smiled at the claim and slid on the shoes as he parked, then leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you," she whispered and meant it. He was very thoughtful. Others might not have thought of stopping to get her clothes let alone shoes. But he had. His consideration was one of the things she liked about him, but there was so much more too.

Nick smiled and reached out to squeeze her hand affectionately, then opened his car door. "Let's go. Time to face the lions."

Chapter 5

"Good Lord! The two of you must be freezing! Come in!"

Jill smiled at Nick's sister as she opened the door to them, but then her eyes ran curiously over the large entry, taking in the gleaming hardwood floors and cream walls. The room was beautiful and made more so by the tasteful Christmas decorations.

"Where are your coats?" Maggie asked as she closed the door behind them.

"We lost them at the parade," Nick murmured.

"Oh. People nowadays," Maggie tutted with a scowl. "You can't leave anything alone for a minute anymore." She shook her head. "Well, never mind. I'll loan you both coats before you go."

"Thanks Mags," Nick said, giving her a hug. "You're a sweetie."

"Yes, I am, and don't you forget it," Maggie laughed as he released her. She then turned to beam at Jill. "Hi, I'm Maggie, Nick's sister, and you must be Jill, the smart, funny, lovely lady who owns the clothing store next door to Nick."

Jill flushed with embarrassment, her lips tipping wryly as she said, "I take it Nick has mentioned me then?"

"Mentioned you?" Maggie laughed. "It's been Jill this and Jill that for six months. I was beginning to think the divorce would never be over so we could meet you."

"You know," Nick said, scowling at his sister. "If I hadn't already told Jill what I thought of her, I'd be really embarrassed right now."

"I knew you'd tell her before you got here. You've been chomping at the bit for the last couple months. I'm surprised you managed to wait until the divorce was signed," Maggie said with an unrepentant grin and then added, "I plan to help the two of you along by telling Jill all sorts of things today."

Nick rolled his eyes, apparently not surprised at the threat. "Oh, well, if you're just going to embarrass me, I think I'll go find Jill and me a drink. Will you be all right for a minute?" he asked, running a hand down her arm.

She nodded and he pressed a kiss to her cheek, whispering, "She means well."

Jill smiled at the claim as he turned away.

"Don't hurry back," Maggie called after him and then turned to Jill with a wide smile. "Nicky's told me so much about you, I feel I know you already. Of course, that's how I knew he was serious about you."

"It is?" Jill asked, eyes wide. Nick had said as much earlier, but it was still startling to hear it from his sister. As Jay had said, it seemed everyone had known he liked her… except for her.

Maggie considered her expression solemnly, then murmured, "It must have driven you wild these last six months; eating lunch together every day, his seeming to like you but never making a move." She grimaced. "I know it would have driven me mad."

When Jill merely smiled crookedly, Maggie said, "I'm afraid he had to. If Michelle—his ex-wife—had caught wind that he was seriously interested in someone, she'd have dragged her feet on the divorce to get more money just to make him miserable."