Page 6 of A Perfect Christmas Romance (Kringle, Texas #8)

And the worst part was, it wasn’t about the distance. It had been about him—how settling down had scared him, how chasing his career seemed easier than figuring out what they had together. Nick blinked, forcing the memory back before it could drag him under.

“It’s good to see you again, Liv,” he said, more softly than he intended.

She gave him a polite nod, her smile flickering off. “Yeah. Good to see you too.”

“Bread?” Nick asked her.

She nodded and unfurled the black linen napkin from around the silverware and settled it into her lap.

He cut two slices off the small loaf, buttered them both, and pushed the cutting board toward her.

They sat chewing in silence. Nick felt like he was in a high-stakes eating competition where the first person to speak lost.

“Another slice?” he asked.

“The bread is delicious,” she said. “But I don’t want to fill up too much before the meal.”

“Suit yourself.” He cut off another piece of the crusty bread that was pillowy soft on the inside.

She eyed him, and then the bread, then him again. “Okay, maybe a really thin slice.”

Grinning, he cut off a sliver of bread so thin it was practically transparent, buttered it with surgical precision and passed it to her.

Their fingers brushed, and he could have sworn he felt a spark. Or maybe it was just static electricity from the carpet. Yeah, that must be it.

“Would you like to hear the specials?” Tony asked.

Nick was about to say no. He’d already glanced at the menu and saw what he wanted. Chicken Parmesan. The old reliable of Italian cuisine. The “I’m not here to impress anyone, but I also don’t want to embarrass myself” of dinner choices.

“Yes, please,” Liv said.

Tony went through the specials with the enthusiasm of a NASCAR announcer, and Liv selected the pan-seared sole with caper sauce. Then off Tony went to put in their order, leaving them alone again in a silence so thick Nick could cut it with the fancy butter knife on the table.

He raised his water glass, deciding that if he was going to go down in flames, he might as well do it with style. “A toast?”

Liv lifted her glass as well and studied him warily as if he might suddenly burst into song. “What are we toasting?”

“To old friends,” he said, his voice softer than he intended.

She caught his gaze and held it. “To old friends,” she echoed.

They clinked glasses, and she closed her eyes to take a sip, her long lashes lowering over those lush brown eyes. Nick’s breath hitched, and he had a startling urge to kiss her right then and there. Tony and the other diners be danged.

“Well,” he said, more to himself than to her, trying to regain his composure. “Well.”

“Deep subject,” she quipped, a dimple appearing at her cheek that he had an insane desire to kiss.

“So.” He cleared his throat. “How have you been?”

“Other than still reeling from my parents’ divorce news, I’ve been terrific.”

“It’s gonna be okay. You’ll get through this.” He paused. “I can be there for you the way you were for me when my parents split.”

“That’s sweet of you, but I can handle it.”

“Still have trouble asking for help, huh?”

She ignored that. “Please tell me your parents are doing well. That they thrived after they got divorced.”

Okay, she needed a little sympathy and a shoulder to cry on. He could be there for her on that score.

“They’re doing great. Both of them have new marriages, and they seem to be living their best lives.”

“That’s good. I’m so glad.” She looked relieved, dropped her gaze, and took a big sip of wine.

“So,” Nick said. “You’re in crisis management.”

“I am.”

He nodded. She’d always been cool, calm, and collected. He wasn’t surprised by her career trajectory. “You like it?”

“I do.” She pulled her bottom lip up on one side with her upper teeth, causing her to look both adorable and vulnerable.

Nick remembered that gesture. A subtle sign of anxiety. “But…?”

“Who says there’s a but?”

“You bite your bottom lip when you’re conflicted.”

“I do?” She put her hand to her mouth.

“Yep.”

“Well, I’ll have to be more aware of that.”

“Trouble with the job?”

She shrugged. “Not really.”

“But…?”

“I just found out today that my boss wants me to start generating leads.”

“That’s something you’re not interested in?”

“Sales was never my strong suit.”

“Can you say no?”

Liv sighed. “Probably not if I want to keep my job.”

“You’ll handle it,” he said. “You always were good at rising to the occasion.”

“Thank you for that vote of confidence.”

He couldn’t tell whether she was being sarcastic or not, so he decided to roll with not. His gaze tracked to her left hand. “You never married.”

“No.”

“Me either.”

“No significant other?” she asked.

He shook his head.

“Too busy building your career?” she asked, touching on the reason they’d broken up in the first place.

“Yes.”

“But you’re at CBS now. All your dreams are coming true.”

He studied her mouth, admiring the shape of her lips. “Not all my dreams.”

“Right. Amy said you’re part-time at the station.”

“I’ve got a toehold,” he said. “But I’m looking to cement my position there.”

This was the segue he needed to tell her why he’d come to her, but before Nick could ask the favor he so desperately needed, she locked eyes with him, and he felt his pulse kick up.

“You’ll do it. You’re nothing if not driven and ambitious.”

“You say it like that’s a bad thing.”

“Every trait has a shadow side.” She nibbled her bottom lip again, caught herself and stopped.

“There’s something else eating you. If you’d like to talk about it, I’d be honored to act as your sounding board.”

“It’s all right.” She waved a hand.

“No, honestly, I don’t mind listening.”

She sighed. “Generating leads isn’t the only thing my new boss is asking of me.”

“No?” He arched an eyebrow and waited for her to continue.

“He says I’m too uptight. He wants me to loosen up, be more spontaneous...” She eyed him. “Kind of like you.”

“Ahh,” he said. “He wants you to be something you’re not.”

“I’m worried I’ll lose my job if I can’t be what he wants me to be.”

“Ha!” Nick barked out a short laugh.

“Excuse me?”

“I can’t imagine anyone being dumb enough to fire you,” he said. “You’re smart, clever and?—”

“Dull, conservative?—”

“ Never dull. I was never bored when I was with you.”

She blushed and dropped her gaze. “I wish I knew how to be like you...reckless, daring, spontaneous.”

“Why? Be you. If your boss can’t appreciate you just as you are, maybe it’s time to move on.”

“I appreciate your support, but I truly love my work.” She glanced up again and tapped her chin with her index finger.

“Do you remember when you talked me into driving to Austin in the middle of the night? We both had tons of work for school, but we drove halfway there for no reason and ended up in a bar in some little town outside Waco.”

“An unforgettable night,” he said. “Nothing was open, and we were starving and ate junk food from the vending machine. It was fun. You were fun.”

“You coaxed me into having fun. There was never a dull moment when you were around.” She paused. “Although sometimes, I didn’t get enough sleep because of you.”

She blushed again, and Nick felt the old thrill. They had been good together.

“I wish you could teach me to be more spontaneous,” she said, sounding deeply unhappy.

“I don’t think it’s something you can learn. It’s just not your wiring, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

She exhaled audibly. “I suppose you’re right. I just pray that doesn’t mean my job is on the line.”

“You seriously think you’ll lose your job because your boss perceives you as too uptight?”

“I don’t know. I’m just afraid I won’t be able to change the way the new boss wants me to, and Brandi Jo will get my job.”

“Brandi Jo?”

“My intern,” she said. “She’s angling for my job.”

“You don’t say.” A thought took root in the back of Nick’s mind. He needed a favor from Liv, and he hadn’t gotten around to asking it. Maybe this was his way in.

So, you’re planning on using her to meet your needs?

No. Not using her. Nick would be upfront with her about what he wanted. She needed his help, and he needed hers. What was wrong with making a deal?

“I tell you what,” he said. “I need an introduction to one of your clients. It’s why I came to see you.”

She opened her mouth to protest, and he could see the word “no” forming on her lips.

“Hold on, let me get it out.” He raised a palm. “If you’ll introduce me to Matilda Merris, I’ll help you loosen up.”