Abby didn’t know why she felt guilty, but she did. Maybe it was the look in Nic’s eyes, because she swore there was a bit of jealousy there. And, as she was supposed to be her girlfriend, there should have been, she supposed. Holly had been pressed against her in the most intimate of ways.

“I can help too,” Nic offered.

Abby smiled at her and nodded. “Mom left a note with instructions. You can set up the rice maker.”

“Sure.” Nic looked around the kitchen. “And the rice is where?”

“The pantry is over there.” She pointed with her knife.

When Nic would have walked past her, she paused, meeting her gaze. Again, there was something there, just under the surface. But Nic’s eyes softened, and a smile formed a second before she moved closer. Abby was prepared for the kiss this time, and she leaned in to meet her. She was prepared for the kiss, yes—because Holly was watching. Yet she wasn’t prepared for the fluttering of her stomach as Nic’s lips lingered just a second or two longer than necessary. She felt a bit flushed as she turned back to her onions. She made a couple of slices, then looked up, finding Holly staring at her.

Holly shook her head quickly, her voice quiet. “She is so not good enough for you, Abigail. What are you thinking?”

“She’s perfect for me. Not that it’s any of your concern.”

The vegetables were chopped and put into a bowl. The rice maker was all set up to start at two. Holly had escaped upstairs, and now here they were, alone. Nic seemed more relaxed now that Holly was out of the room. Not that there was anything to stress about. Holly had said very little and, in turn, neither had they.

“So she wants to sleep with you?”

Abby sighed. “Yes.”

“Did she come right out and ask?”

“Umm, yeah.” Abby went into the sunporch. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon, and the snow was almost too bright to look at. “She says she missed me, and she wants to get reacquainted.” She turned to glance at Nic. “She said you weren’t the one for me.”

“No.” Nic slowly turned to look at her. “No, that’s not what she said. She said I wasn’t good enough for you.”

Abby met her gaze. “You heard?”

“Yes.” Nic smiled, a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “And once we break up, she’ll know she was right.”

Abby moved closer to her, finding one of her hands and squeezing it. “My friend Marcos said I should tell Holly to fuck off.” Nic’s smile was a little more genuine now and Abby matched it. “He also said we should rub it in her face how in love we are.”

“I think I would like Marcos.”

Abby nodded. “Yes. And he would like you.”