Luke rustled within the silky sheets of a bed that wasn’t his. The scent of vanilla and warm, buttery sugar filled his nostrils. Startled with the memory of the night before, he popped open his eyes and searched his surroundings. Noel’s room. He had fallen asleep after making love to her again. He had barely gotten from the shower before the need to have her once more consumed him. His appetite had never been so insatiable, so greedy.
Stretching, he moved his arm over to her side of the bed, but the spot where she should be was empty and cold. He sat up straight. His magic told him he was alone and that she was gone. A strange sensation sank to the pit of his stomach.
His gaze darted to her pillow and he found a note. So cliché. He gritted his teeth as he read the words. His breath caught in his chest as if an elephant had sat on him. Disbelief ransacked his thoughts.
How could she think he wouldn’t want to see her again?
He read the note again just to make sure he hadn’t misread it:
Last night was great. There are bagels in the bread box. Help yourself. Good luck with the season. Noel
Damn, that stung.
What the hell does a guy have to do to get a girl to realize he liked her?
Pissed off, he shot from the bed, found his clothes and dressed. He hadn’t planned for their night to end with a brush off. He had planned to have the morning start better than their evening had ended. But clearly that wasn’t what she wanted.
How had he misread the signals? He shook his head, unsure of what to make of her note. Grabbing his keys from his pants pocket, he headed for his bike. The one person he wanted to speak with was his aunt. She would offer the much needed advice he sought. His aunt was the wisest Kringle of them all. He just hoped he wouldn’t run into Noel until he figured out how to make things less awkward between them.
* * * *
Noel’s head dropped to her desk with a heavy thud. Her body still wonderfully pleasured from hours of love making. Luke was an Adonis and she was an idiot.
“Ahhh,” she said in a gruff distorted voice, her forehead pressed against the stack of papers she was supposed to be sorting through.
“Ms. Green?” her assistant called out to her. “Are you all right?”
No. “Yes, I’m fine.” She groaned, sitting up straight. “Please make sure my afternoon’s clear.”
“Yes, Ms. Green.”
The ringing of her cell phone had her eyes rolling to the back of her head. She assumed it was her mother calling to ask about her evening with Luke Winters. Instead, it was the other person who could cause her heart to flip in her chest and a cold chill of guilt to plummet into her stomach. Especially after the night she’d just had.
“Hi, Claire,” she said, trying her best not to sound like the worst friend in the entire world.
“Hey, Noel. How are you?” Claire sounded happy, cheerful. Christmas hadn’t been a happy time for either of them in recent years.
”I’ve been better, but you sound good.”
“Oh, I am.” She paused. “Do you have time for lunch this afternoon? I know it’s your Christmas party and all, but I really could use my best friends ear right now.”
She swallowed as more guilt knotted in her belly. “Sure, I actually just told my assistant to clear my schedule, so I’m free now.”
“Excellent,” Claire replied. “When can you be here?”
She glanced down at her watch. “Thirty minutes?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you soon.”
As she stared at the phone, she wondered what was wrong with Claire. The last few years they’d kept their conversations to phone calls mostly and face to face visit were pretty much once a quarter. Noel drowned herself in work. Seeing Claire was hard. But knowing that she was the reason they were not the friends they once were was harder.
She headed down to the cafeteria to grab a coffee for the road, but immediately froze in her tracks. Luke Winters was standing at the counter. He was wearing the same clothing that he’d worn the night before and she figured he might be there to see her. She squinted her eyes and clenched her teeth. Panic had her thoughts moving in slow motion. Stepping back outside the door, she remembered that his friend was at the hospital with a new baby.
“Of course I’m going to see him here,” she muttered, hating that she had reduced herself to lurking around hospital wings to avoid a man she should be finding another way to have sex with again.
Skipping the coffee, she headed for the stairs. The last thing she needed was to see Luke. He was her first one night stand and he needed to be her last. Thankfully, he wasn’t attending the children’s Christmas party, so she didn’t have to worry about seeing him there.
She made it to Claire’s apartment in record time. Maybe it was the adrenaline pumping through her veins after seeing Luke or maybe she just missed her friend. Either way, she was lucky she hadn’t gotten a speeding ticket.
She gently knocked on the door and waited for Claire’s nurse to answer. Instead of a middle-aged caregiver, a tall, masculine blond with hazel-green eyes greeted her. His smile reached across his face as he extended his hand toward her.
“Noel, it’s so great to finally meet you,” he told her. “Come on in.” He stepped to the side to let her in.
Noel frowned. “Are you Claire’s nurse?”
He chuckled. “No,” he replied, leading her into the living room.
Claire was sitting in her wheelchair with a radiant glow on her skin. The moment she spotted Noel, her eyes widened and she smiled. She reached her arms up to hug her and kissed her cheek the moment she leaned down.
“I’m so glad you could come,” Claire said.
“Grayson, could you get Noel an iced tea? She takes them with one sweetener.”
“Sure, honey.” Grayson left the room.
She didn’t realize her jaw was hanging open until Claire pointed it out. “It can’t be that much of a shock,” Claire said with a snicker. “I’m still a woman with boobs and a vagina.”
Claire was right. Noel giggled. “I guess I didn’t know you got out enough to meet someone.”
“Well, since you’ve been avoiding me like the plague, I started going to hockey games and lucky for me, I met Grayson Knight.”
She sat down on the sofa near Claire, her knees buckling with surprise. “Was he getting popcorn the same time you were?”
“No,” Claire said, batting her hand at her. “He’s a sports reporter for the paper. I got lucky enough to sit beside him at a game.” She shrugged. “We hit it off.”
Her mind swirled with thoughts. Happy Thoughts. Thoughts about a whirlwind romance that Claire completely deserved. “How long have you been dating?”
“Almost a year, but we’ve been engaged for nearly a month.”
Her mouth dropped open once more. “Oh. My. God.”
Her heart was racing so fast she thought she might have a heart attack. Never in her wildest dreams could she have hoped for something so amazing for Claire. The words seemed lodged in her throat. Tears filled her eyes.
“I want you to be my maid of honor,” Claire said, reaching out her hand to take Noel’s. “Please tell me you will.”
She gasped. “Of course I will.” She stood and wrapped her arms around Claire. “I’ll be the best damn maid of honor.” She kissed her cheek and then eased back to meet her gaze. “I’m so happy for you.”
She immediately searched her left hand for the ring. The silver band had a large, sparkly diamond on it. The sight stole her breath away. There was no way to describe the joy she saw reflected in her best friends eyes. It was total elation.
“Wow, that’s gorgeous.”
“Thank you,” Claire said, holding her hand. “So why are you not as happy as I am? What’s wrong?”
She shook her head to try and avoid talking about Luke, but she just couldn’t. The truth was she was more confused then she had ever been. Besides, even if she wanted to keep her little rendezvous to herself, Claire would see right through her. She swore her friend was part bloodhound. It also didn’t help that Noel was a horrible liar.
“Last night, I slept with a man I just met.”
Claire’s brown eyes widened. “Oh, tell me more. I’m dying to hear all about your naughty nights with a hot stranger.” She made a purring sound and was practically salivating.
She arched a brow at her overly interested friend. But then she realized that even though she was engaged, she couldn’t have sex like normal people did. She was paralyzed from the waist down.
“Not much to tell really. I took him to my parents for dinner. We went back to my place and had sex.” Her eyes rounded. “A lot of sex.”
It was Claire’s turn to hang her jaw open. “Wait, you took a man to your parents’ house?”
Her brows pinched tight. “Of everything I just told you, that’s what you’re focusing on?”
“Has your mother planned the wedding yet?”
They giggled. Claire knew her mother almost as well as she did. That was how things had been between them. As thick as sisters could be.
“I’m afraid I won’t be seeing him again to plan a wedding.”
Claire scowled. “Why not?”
“He’s a pro hockey player. I’m sure I’m just one of many.”
“Really?” Claire said, dragging out the word like she had a dirty secret and wasn’t going to share with the rest of the class. “Grayson?”
He entered the room, carrying the teas. “Do you know a—”
“Luke Winters,” Noel finished.
“Who doesn’t?” Grayson replied. “He’s only the best center the Dallas Riders have ever had. Why?”
“Noel rocked his socks last night.”
“Claire!” she shouted with a gasp.
Then the three of them shared a laugh.
“Don’t be embarrassed. You picked a good one. He’s known for not sleeping around.” Grayson met Noel’s gaze. “He must really like you.”
A lead weight sank to the pit of her stomach. Closing her eyes briefly, she sighed. “It doesn’t matter anyway. I wrote him a note letting him know it was fun, but it can’t happen again.”
“You what? Are you nuts?” Claire hadn’t been this verbally confrontational as far back as she could remember. It was like the woman was on steroids. “You better figure out a way to resolve that little problem. I know you sit around riddled with guilt. A blind person could see that. But you really need to get over that. Enough is enough already.”
She sank back in the sofa. If only it were that easy. Seeing Claire happy was the best and most welcomed surprise she could’ve asked for. But she was still in a wheelchair and she was still paralyzed. How was she ever supposed to forgive herself for causing that?
Claire laced her fingers around Grayson’s. “I know this might seem fast, but the wedding is going to be in January.”
“Why so quick?”
Claire grinned in the most devious way. “You see…I’m pregnant.”
Noel’s mouth formed a giant O as the words slowly registered. In order to get pregnant Claire had to be able to have sex, right? So did that mean she had less nerve and spine damage than Noel had once thought?
Then, she repeated the words in her mind again. Claire’s pregnant. “Holy shit. You’re not kidding, are you?”
Claire shook her head. “We had the sonogram this morning. I’m officially four months along.”
Instantly, she launched herself back at Claire, her arms squeezing her friend. “Oh. My. God,” she screamed. “I can’t believe it. I thought…”
“I know,” Claire said. “The doctors in the beginning said I’d never walk again. They said I’d have no feeling from my waist down and that I’d never get pregnant.” Claire smiled broadly. “Lucky for me they were wrong on all accounts.”
Her brow furrowed. On all accounts? “What are you trying to say to me, Claire?”
Grayson immediately moved to Claire’s side and helped her stand. With his foot, he moved the wheelchair back so she could take a supported step away from it. Her wobbly legs held her weight as she moved toward Noel.
She stared, opened mouth as Claire closed the distance between them. “You see, Noel. It’s the season for miracles. I just so happen to be the recipient of three.”
Her eyes filled with tears as her heart burst with joy. Never in a million years had she ever imaged that her best friend would walk again. Let alone get married and start a family. Things she’d prayed for time and again, but hadn’t honestly believed would ever be answered.
All the years of regret came crashing down on her. The love she felt for Claire burned inside her soul like a branding iron. Her best friend had beaten all the odds.
She wrapped her arms around Claire. For the first time in five years, they hugged standing together. So much emotion rippled through her. She was elated, proud and sad all at the same time. She couldn’t explain her sadness, but it was there. Perhaps it was that Claire had to fight so hard to get to this point in her life—something that never should’ve happened. But Claire had done the impossible and that amazing victory should be all that mattered.
She kissed Claire’s cheek and then reached out to bring Grayson in for a hug. He’d been there for Claire when she hadn’t. He deserved more gratitude than she could ever give.
“Thank you for being there for Claire. She deserves so many great things.”
Claire caressed her cheek and whispered, “So do you.”
Maybe one day she would get her second chance.
* * * *
With his hands digging into his hips, Luke stood in his Santa suit in front of Brendon and his wife. His mood had been soured since he read the note Noel had left for him. Even after speaking with his aunt, he didn’t feel right. For whatever reason, he was a mess over it. He couldn’t get the wild connection they’d shared out of his head. Not to mention, the ‘thanks for the sex’ dismissal.
“Women are so confusing,” he muttered, his voice scrapping in his throat.
“Tell me about it,” Brendon replied.
“Hey,” Brendon’s wife barked. “Now that’s just not true. Maybe Luke needs to work a little harder for this one. That’s all.”
He frowned. “How?”
“I’m thinking you might need to go old school." She smacked her forehead like she had an epiphany. "Here's a concept. Make it about her. Find out what she likes to do and use that as a way to get her to open up.”
He arched a brow. “I did mention that I just met her yesterday, right?”
Brendon slapped him on the back. “But for some reason she’s got your guts in a knot.” He laughed. “Watching you squirm over this gal is better than having front row seats to a tractor pull.”
As Brendon chuckled, Luke shook his head. “Go ahead. Enjoy my misery, but when you’re in the dog house because you say or do something stupid—”
“Which can happen at any moment,” Brendon’s wife added.
Luke grinned. “Don’t come running to me,” he finished.
Brendon scoffed. “Put on your hat, Santa. We’ve got a party to attend.” He kissed his wife and followed Luke out of the room.
The moment they stepped into the banquet hall, Luke felt Noel’s presence. It was strange how he could sense her even when he couldn’t see her. Shifting his gaze around the room, his mouth watered as he caught the scent of her sweet perfume.
Sudden warmth crept up from his chest, burning with each beat of his heart. He shook it off as his need to become Santa took precedence. The children had spotted him and they were rushing toward him like the building behind them was on fire.
“Santa!” the children roared.
As jovial as he could, Luke summoned his inner Saint Nick and went to work, greeting each child as they came. He patted their heads, shook their hands and hugged them. They were excited. The sentiments of joy were too miraculous to ignore.
He glanced around, placing every child to memory. He would never forget their names for as long as he lived—a little gift from his fae family. He would also remember the reason they were in the hospital to begin with. Sarah’s broken pelvis, compliments of a fall from her tree fort. Bobby, Joey, Dillon and Becky’s cancer treatments. Vivian, Lucas, and Russell’s asthma attacks, as well as Josh, Jennifer, Allison, Brad, David and Carrie who were suffering with diseases like Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy and Muscular Dystrophy.
The room was filled with brave children. Some were missing limbs, but seemed unaffected. In his heart, he knew he would never stop coming to events like this. Feeling and seeing the power of love and care pour from the families of these children was humbling.
His heart swelled as he grabbed hold of his giant, red toy sack and began handing out gifts. Each time he reached in and his fingers brushed the packaging of the toy he called out a name, linking the perfect present to the proper child. No one questioned how he always seemed to place the toy in the arms of the child who most desired it.
He chuckled each time one of the kids opened a gift and said, “Just what I wanted.” He couldn’t get enough of the smiles and laughter that filled the room.
Distracted by the children tearing into the gifts he’d just handed out, he didn’t see Allison appear beside him. She gently tugged on his red coat and batted her eyes so delicately at him. Her fragile body dwarfed inside her wheelchair, too weak to walk anymore.
Her sweet smile melted him like ice on a hot summer day. He knelt beside her. “Hello Allison. What can I do for you?”
“You know me?” she asked, her voice shaking with disbelief.
“Of course I know you. How could I not?”
She smiled shyly. “Santa,” she whispered. “I haven’t gotten a present yet. Did you forget me?” She sighed, twisting her hands in her lap. “It’s okay if you did, I know you’re busy.” She reached out and touched his hand, her eyes a window into her soul. “The doctors say that the cancer’s not going away, so you won’t have to bring me a present next year either.”
His insides turned over and he swallowed the tightness in his throat. He would never forget a child so precious. “My sweet, little Allison. Do you know that I just happened to have saved the best gift for last?”
Her eyes widened. “You did?”
“And it’s especially for you.”
“It is?” She gasped.
He dug into his bag and pulled out a tiny red box. His eyes watered as he studied the glow on Allison’s face, her cheeks brightening. He lowered his voice and whispered just loud enough for her to hear. “This is a very special gift. I don’t give out things this super-cool-awesome to just anyone.” He tapped his white gloved finger over the box. “I reserve this for only the most amazing children and you Allison are very special and very amazing.”
Her mouth hung open as she stared at the present. “Can I open it?”
“Yes,” he handed the box to her, “But remember this is a gift especially for you and no one else.”
She nodded and quickly opened the gift. Inside was a shimmering, gold bag. With an audible gasp she picked it up. “Oh, my,” she said. “It’s beautiful, but I don’t know what it is.”
He grinned. “It’s a magic bag, Allison. And each night before you go to bed, sprinkle a little of the magic dust over you and you’ll be able to visit me at the North Pole.”
Eyes wide, her mouth formed a giant O. “Really?”
He nodded. “No one can just visit the North Pole, Allison. It’s in a magical place and only the chosen can see it.”
“You think I’m special enough to see it?” she asked.
“Oh, yes, Allison. I think you’re very special.”
She smiled and held the bag close to her chest. “Thank you, Santa. I can’t wait to visit you at the North Pole.”
He couldn’t resist a chance to hug her. There was a beautiful essence that lived inside Allison, and even though she was dying, she would always have a place with him and his kin in his realm, free from that cancer that ravaged her tiny body. Once the magic of his people gave her life, she would become fae and never suffer from pain or disease again. Death would not claim Allison, not today and not ever.
“Sweet dreams, Allison. I’ll see you soon.”
Her smile beamed and for a moment he thought he couldn’t be happier, but then he spotted Noel. She was studying him. He had to remind himself that he wasn’t Luke Winters. He was Santa Claus.
An idea burned at the back of his mind and he suddenly knew exactly what he had to do to get her to go out with him again.