“No commitments, no fighting, no stress, no—”

“No love, no emotion,” she countered.

“Like I’ve been telling you for years, I’m not looking for love. I don’t need that in my life. I’d rather be alone.”

“Your parents—”

“I don’t want to talk about them.” She reached into the closet and pulled out a heavy coat. “Does he ever wear this?”

“Rarely does it get cold enough. Take it.” Addison touched her arm. “We worry about you, Nicky.”

“Well, don’t. I’m fine. You and Eric are my family. And I’ve got Uncle Jimmie. That’s all I need. I’m happy.”

She found herself in a tight hug. “We’ll miss you.”

“Thanks. I’ll miss you too.”

Addison took a deep breath. “So? She’s cute?”

“Yes. Quite.”

“Do you need gloves?”

“I’ve got some nice leather ones. And if I need something, I can always buy it up there. I think I’ll be okay.”

“When are you leaving?”

“Wednesday morning, very early. Her brother is coming on Thursday, and Abby wants to get there first to ‘establish her territory,’ as she put it. It’s an eleven-hour drive. We’ll spend that time getting to know little tidbits about each other so we’re not totally lost when we meet the family.”

Addison smiled at her. “I’m surprised. You sound like you’re excited to be going.”

“Trust me. My excitement has nothing to do with having a traditional Christmas with her family. I’m more interested in the nighttime activity, if you know what I mean.”

“Oh, you better be careful, Nic. I can imagine all the snow and colorful decorations. It’ll be like a fairytale Christmas. The Grinch in you might finally be quelled.”

“I highly doubt it.”

“Hey, you two,” Eric called from the living room. “Nachos are ready.”

They smiled at each other. Eric’s specialty was his supreme nachos, laden with both chicken and beef, beans, olives, tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos and smothered in a Colby-Jack and mozzarella cheese mix. And of course, there was guacamole and sour cream on the side. He baked them in the oven on an extra-large pizza tray and they were enough to feed six. They were sinfully good and the three of them almost always finished them off.

“I love his nachos, but they make me want to have margaritas,” Addison complained. “This has been the longest pregnancy.”

“April will be here before you know it.” She reached out and rubbed Addison’s protruding stomach affectionately. “And I can’t wait to be Aunt Nicky.”

Chapter Eleven

“She sent you a text? And so then you went and begged Nic to go with you?”

“Something like that.”

“And the sex part?”