Nic set her bags down where she stood and walked over to the tree. “I think this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

Her mother nearly beamed as she went over to Nic. “I do love people who appreciate the holiday spirit. Abigail will say I go overboard, but I say, is there such a thing?”

“I never had much of a Christmas growing up,” Nic said. “This is kinda what I dreamed a real Christmas tree would look like.”

Nic was staring up at the tree as she spoke, and her mother smiled broadly as her gaze followed Nic’s. “Then I am so happy you are here to experience our Christmas tradition. I am all about decorations, as you can see.” Her mother turned to her. “Take Nicole up to your room, Abigail. Get your things settled. Because…well, Aaron called.”

“And?” she asked suspiciously.

“And they decided to come up early too.”

“You have got to be kidding me.”

Her mother looked quickly at Nic. “I assume she’s aware of the Holly situation?”

Abby nearly rolled her eyes. Situation? “She is.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting her,” Nic said easily.

“You knew all along they were coming early, didn’t you?” she accused.

“I did not,” her mother said defensively. “He called me this morning. I think they are maybe an hour behind you.”

“Great,” she said dryly. “An hour of peace.”

“That’s why I sent your father to the store. I had planned dinner just for the four of us. I wasn’t expecting six.” Her mother looked at her pleadingly. “Let’s all try to get along, huh?”

“Why are you saying it like I’m the one who can’t get along? I’m not the one who—”

“So, babe, why don’t we go get unpacked before they get here?”

Abby turned to Nic, eyebrows raised. Babe? Did she just call me babe? She saw the smile flitting on Nic’s mouth, and before she could stop herself, she found herself returning it. Okay, so she could live with babe, she supposed.

But it was all so very odd, wasn’t it? She’d gone groveling to Nic, pleading with her to come up here, all the while hoping she’d drop the “compensation” clause she’d added. Nic hadn’t, of course, and Abby had accepted anyway. Because it beat dealing with Holly, she reasoned. And she stubbornly told herself that she didn’t like Nic Bennett, and she would have nothing to do with her when this little charade was over with. However, spending eleven hours in a car together told her that she did like Nic and her first impression of her was wrong. Of course, that didn’t mean she wanted to sleep with her. God, why was there always drama?

“Yes, go up to your room,” her mother urged. “Relax.”