Page 6 of You Make It Feel like Christmas

N ICK HEADED DOWNSTAIRS WITH his head full of Maisie.

He’d never been a romantic guy. He’d sure as hell never been one to fixate on the past. Becoming a professional athlete required a grueling determination to be the best. And lots of times, even that wasn’t enough.

It didn’t leave a lot of time for dating and relationships, especially for a guy who had had a narrow-minded focus from the time he was seven.

When he was focused, like he was before he skated out onto the ice, or during his routine before a game, nothing messed with his head.

Could he apply that single-minded focus to earn a second chance with the only woman who’d made him want one?

Was he just looking for a distraction from the things weighing him down?

No. Maisie wasn’t a distraction. She was a rainbow; vibrant, breathtaking color when he’d least expected it. Twice now.

Asher’s and Ellie’s laughter floated into the kitchen from the dining room, soft over the sound of male voices. The scent of pizza reminded him he hadn’t eaten in too many hours.

He took a deep breath, let it out slowly before going through the swinging door between the kitchen and dining room, unsure how many people had arrived.

Lately, being around large groups of people he didn’t know made his skin feel too tight.

Taking stock of his body, he recognized the increased pulse, the feel of it in his extremities, the heated flush of discomfort washing over him.

He breathed through it, let it fade. He knew how to do this; how to socialize and be charming.

This wasn’t a random group of fans wanting something from him. It was family.

“Uncle Nick.” Asher came bounding over to him, jumping on him before Nick had a chance to brace but he caught him, hauled him up. “Hey, kid. You sound like you’re entertaining everyone.”

Nick’s gaze scanned the room, happy it was just his own family, a guy he recognized as Colt’s husband and Colton, who smiled so wide, all of his apprehension went away. “Give me a sec, Ash.”

Setting his nephew on his feet, Nick met Colton halfway around the large, wood-planked dining table for a hard hug. Growing up, Colton’s family had looked out for the Kingston kids. That’s what the neighbors called Nick and Ellie, who were, more often than not, on their own.

“Sorry I missed the wedding, man,” Nick said to his friend.

Colton clapped him on the back. “You sent us a trip to Barbados. I think we’re good.” His buddy’s voice was thick with emotion.

They pulled back, grinned at each other. Colton and Nick looked nothing alike other than both being tall and wide-shouldered but this man was as much of a brother as he could be, blood relation or not. Another relationship that deserves more attention from you.

“Speaking of,” Colton said, releasing Nick, one hand gesturing to a guy with dark brown hair that matched a well-groomed beard. “You guys have met on FaceTime, but let me formally introduce you to my husband, Jacob Smart.”

Jacob stepped forward, gripped Nick’s hand before pulling him in for a hug. “Nice to meet you in person. Colt’s told me so much about you, though I was a big fan even before we got together. You’re one of the best right wings I’ve ever seen play.”

Nick pulled back, tried to tamp down on the discomfort he felt when people praised him for doing his job. “Thanks. Appreciate that. It’s nice to meet you too.”

“Have some pizza, Nick,” Ellie said, coming up beside him.

Whether or not she could read him well enough to know he wanted to switch topics, he appreciated the diversion.

“Where’s everyone else?” he asked her, taking the paper plate with a thick slice of pepperoni—his favorite—on it.

“My parents are coming in tomorrow. My sister Natalie is pregnant and exhausted so she and Kyle went up to their room,” Jacob said, pulling a slice of cheese pizza from one of the open boxes in the center of the table.

“We haven’t seen Maisie yet, either,” Colton said, picking up a can of soda and taking a drink.

Nick sat down next to Asher, across from Colt and his husband, happy it was just them for now.

“You’ve met Maisie, right?” Colton asked, setting his can down.

“That’s right. At her friend Hailey’s wedding,” Jacob said around his bite of pizza.

Nick turned to meet his gaze, his heart thundering in his ears.

What the hell? Did they know ? From the little they’d chatted about her family, he remembered Maisie saying she got along well with her siblings.

She’d joked that they were her parents’ pride and joy while she was their work in progress.

He hadn’t really understood it but he’d made sure to show her just how perfect he found her to be. More than once.

“Though, I heard it was a big wedding so maybe you didn’t meet her,” Jacob said.

Nick swallowed his bite, nodded, kept his gaze steady. “Yeah. We ran into each other.” Repeatedly. Until neither of us could stay away or resist each other. Asher leaned into his side, pulling Nick’s attention and making him smile instantly.

He might not want the chaos of a holiday with strangers, particularly the family of the woman he couldn’t get out of his head, but he was in the right place and damn happy to be there.

“Love you, Uncle Nicky.”

Nick sent his sister a mock glare but she grinned widely at the nickname. “Love you too, kid.”

“When does all the fun start, Mommy?” Asher asked Ellie.

“It’s already started, sweetie. But tomorrow there will be a lot more people so it’ll be even better.”

Seven days. Would Maisie avoid him? Would she always see him as the jerk who walked away?

The memory of stepping out of the shower and seeing her there, then seeing the lust painted all over her face, made his skin heat.

She’d covered herself with her clothes pretty quickly but even if he hadn’t caught a peek of her in her underwear and bra, he needed no help remembering every inch of her; every dip and curve and delectable spot.

The way she laughed when his stubble tickled her softly rounded belly or the way her breath caught when he kissed just under her ear.

Fuck. It was going to be a long seven days trying to show her how much he regretted not reaching out.

Was he being na?ve thinking he could win her over?

It was the holidays. He knew she loved the season because they’d talked about it being one of her favorite times of the year. He just needed to find a way to be what Maisie Smart wanted for Christmas.