Nic was shocked to see Abby blinking tears away. Then Abby folded her arms across her chest protectively and nodded.

“Okay. You win. We leave on Wednesday. I’ll call you with details.”

Abby turned and left without another word. Nic watched her go, wondering at the despair she’d seen in Abby’s eyes. Did this Holly person really have that much of a hold on her? Apparently so.

Well, it looked like she was going to have a white Christmas. It might actually be a fun Christmas too. That would be a first for her, wouldn’t it?

Chapter Ten

“You’re really going?”

“Yep.” Nic sorted through Addison’s coats. “Maybe I should be looking through Eric’s closet,” she said as she tossed a brushed suede coat back on the bed.

“Too girly for you?” Addison teased.

“Just a tad.”

“What about ski pants and stuff?”

“Abby said I could rent them there in town.” She paused. “You think I’m crazy?”

“What part? The skiing part? Or the running away from home at Christmas part?”

Nic shook her head. “I’m not running away. Uncle Jimmie is going to Vegas. And I know I could hang out here with you, even though your mother only tolerates me. Now that you’re pregnant, I think she’s afraid I’m going to be spreading my gayness to your baby or something.”

Addison laughed. “Sadly, I think you’re right.” Her face turned serious. “Eric wants you in the delivery room with him. That’ll freak my mother out.”

Nic’s eyes widened. “Oh my god. Like in the room? While it’s happening?”

“Yes.”

Then she smiled. “He only wants me there because he’s afraid he’ll pass out or something.”

“I’d like you to be there too, Nicky. If not for you—”

“Yeah, yeah, I made him ask you out when he was interested in…what was her name?”

“Erica.”

She laughed. “How could I forget? He thought it would be so cool to be Eric and Erica.” Her smiled faltered a little. “But really, you want me in the delivery room?”

Addison hugged her. “I would love for you to be there. You’re family. You’re going to be Aunt Nicky. And you’re right. Eric is afraid he’ll pass out.” She went to Eric’s closet and opened the door. “So, tell me about this woman. Abby is her name?”

“She seems nice. Normal.” Then she laughed. “Well, you know, normal is relative, considering this scheme she’s got going on. But yeah, we talked and came to an understanding.” She smiled. “An understanding as to how I would be compensated.”

“Do I want to know what that is?”

“I get to be her real girlfriend for ten days. Won’t that be fun?”

Addison shook her head. “Oh, Nicky. Why do you play these games?”

The smile left her face. “It’s easier.”

“Easier? No commitments, you mean?”