“The way you two have been going on, I would have expected rings,” Holly drawled with a laugh. Then she held her left hand up, flashing her diamond. “Speaking of weddings, Aaron and I have an announcement.”

Nic glanced at Abby, who rolled her eyes.

“Yes. We’ve set a date,” Aaron added. “Sort of. We’ve settled on June or July, up here or in Dallas.”

Sandra clapped. “Wonderful news! So happy for you!”

“If we have it here, it’ll only be family. So I’m leaning toward Dallas,” Holly continued. “I always envisioned having this huge wedding.” Her smile was positively saccharin as she looked at them. “Did you ever imagine getting married, Nicole?”

“Can’t say that I have.”

“Well, I for one, hope you have it here,” Sandra said. “But I’m being selfish. I have no desire to visit Dallas during the heat of summer.”

“That’s a consideration, of course, although my mother wants it in Dallas so she can show me off to all her friends,” Holly said with a flair. “If she has her way, it’ll be extravagant.” Then Holly’s gaze landed on Abby. “Abigail, I’d love for you to be my maid of honor. If not for you, I would never have met this wonderful man here. You deserve all the credit.”

Nic felt Abby stiffen beside her.

“I believe it’s all you, Holly. Afterall, you cheated on me with him. No need to give me credit for that.”

The room became deathly quiet as Holly and Abby stared at each other. Nic wanted to applaud Abby for speaking up, finally. Nevertheless, Holly didn’t seem fazed by her statement.

“So, is that a yes? Aaron and I would both love for you to accept.”

Aaron nodded but said nothing. Abby slowly turned her gaze to Nic. As their eyes met, they both smiled.

“What do you think?” Abby asked.

“Well, if it were me, I’d probably tell them to kiss my ass.”

Abby laughed loudly and so did Bill. Sandra, too, let out a laugh but recovered quickly, covering her mouth with her hand.

“But it’s not me,” Nic continued. “So, what do you think?”

Abby shrugged and looked back at Holly. “I’ll have to let you know.”

Sandra stood quickly. “Wonderful. Now let’s see what Santa left in our stockings.”

Abby leaned against her. “That was kinda fun,” she whispered.

“I thought so too.”

They sat close together, and Abby found her hand, their fingers tightening. For a second, she forgot they were pretending. It felt natural to be holding hands with Abby. It felt real. She quite liked it.

“Here you go, girls.” Sandra handed them each their stocking.

Nic still marveled over the name—Nicole—painted on the front. Abby turned, watching her.

“So? What did you get?”

Nic looked at the stocking, then back at her. “I’ve never had a stocking before. What do you do?”