“Yeah. You know, Christmas Eve, I never can sleep worth a damn. I went down to look at the tree. The lights were on, and I was sitting there, letting in all those old memories. Abby came to find me. I just…I just told her. And she was so good about it all.”

“She didn’t freak out?”

“Not at all. At least not in front of me. I had already told her some, about their drinking and stuff. And how we never had a real Christmas. She knew all that already.”

“Wow, Nicky, I didn’t think you’d ever tell anyone that story.” Eric sat down beside her. “I think it’s good. You keep it locked away, you don’t ever want to talk about it.” He shook his head. “Not that I blame you. Hell, I don’t know how you didn’t lose your damn mind over it all.”

Nic smiled at him. “Is that your way of saying I’m stubborn or strong?”

“A little of both.”

“So, you really liked her? This Abby?” Addison asked gently.

“I did.” She leaned back in her chair with a sigh. “If I was inclined to let someone into my life, she’d be the one.”

Addison took her hand. “Then why don’t you, Nicky?”

Nic squeezed Addison’s fingers. “I’m a little out of her league. Holly, the ex who is now engaged to her brother, is an attorney. And she’s got a date lined up with a doctor. Probably this weekend.”

“But—”

“Doesn’t matter anyway. I don’t think I’m emotionally sound enough to let someone in, to let someone get close. I don’t think I’m mentally equipped to handle a relationship. I wouldn’t even know how to begin.”

“You begin by asking her out on a date. A real date.”

“What if she says no?”

Addison’s eyes softened. “What if she says yes, Nicky?”

“If she said yes to anything, it would be for sex. That was really good between us. But to date? No. I don’t think so. I told you. Attorneys, doctors. That’s her thing. Not me. I’m damaged goods with a lot of baggage.”

“Oh, hell, Nic, you know that’s not true,” Eric said.

“It is true.”

Addison shook her head. “You are the only one who thinks that, but I won’t argue with you. Now, did you take pictures? I’d love to see.”

Nic pulled out her phone. “I took a few. Mostly snow and stuff.” She flipped through them, pausing when she came to the one of Abby. It was on their second sledding trip and Abby had just landed in a snowbank. She was laughing, her cheeks were red, and she was absolutely gorgeous. She showed it to Addison. “That’s her.”

Addison’s eyes widened. “Wow. She’s cute.”

“Let me see.”