Daddy December

"What? I ordered these especially, Carrie!" I'm whining; I know I'm whining, but for heaven's sake, it's almost Christmas, and my cupcakes aren't in the store. They're probably not even in the town. Maybe even the state.

I start to panic, and Carrie notices, reaching over to grab my hands.

"Noelle, calm down. The whole delivery is late—it's December. It's Winterburg—you know how this town gets. Your little girl's cupcakes will get here, I swear."

I stare at my best friend and chew on my lip; sure, if she says they'll get here, they'll get here.

Carrie grins, her red lips parting to reveal perfect Hollywood teeth despite the sugar she consumes on a daily basis. Working in a cafe has its perks, I guess.

"If I have to drive to the North Pole myself to get them, I will."

"She loves the frosting," I whisper, clinging to her hand. "Especially—"

"I know. The red velvet Santa cupcake. Babes, I won't let her down."

I nod and swallow down my panic. Carrie is my best friend—she'd never let Holly down.

"Noelle."

I look up at Carrie as she presses a plate with a huge slice of Death by Chocolate cake into my hands with a fork, pointing to a seat by the window.

"I'll chase it right now. Go. Eat."

I do as she says, racking my brain to make sure I've got the perfect party ready for my little girl.

Holly, who turns ten this year, couldn't be more excited about it. Who insisted on a Christmas-themed party like every other year, but this time with a few friends to sleep over.

Everything had to be perfect.

It was happening in less than twenty-four hours, and the damn cupcakes weren't here.

I ram the cake into my mouth and mull over the worst-case scenario. If the cupcakes don't turn up, I'll buy a giant chocolate cake. Two. And a red velvet.

Being a single mom puts added pressure on me, and there's no one to sound off to either. If I mess up her tenth birthday, her first double figures birthday, I'm a screwup.

I groan and polish off the cake, sucking the icing from the fork as Carrie shrieks from the counter.

"Oh my god!"

Me and the other customers sat relaxing with a coffee and cake turn to see what all the commotion is about. A man stands in the doorway, stomping his wet feet as he grins at Carrie.

"Hey, baby."

Holy shit, it's Luke! Luke is Carrie's high school sweetheart, and he's been serving in the army for years, god knows how long. He certainly wasn't meant to be back for Christmas—and wow! He's here!

My eyes mist as Carrie sobs, running around the counter into Luke's arms as he laughs, holding her close. I watch them, tears streaming down my face as an old lady sitting nearby presses a tissue into my hand, her watery blue eyes glittering.

"Maybe one day your Prince will come, dear."

I snort, hastily wiping my tears away.

"The only Prince I need is the one carrying a box of twenty-four Christmas cupcakes."

She frowns at me but says nothing as I rise to my feet to greet Luke.

"How did you get here?!" Carrie gasps, her eyes swollen and red with emotion.

Luke stares down at her and juts his thumb behind him. "Got another surprise for you."

Carrie and I exchange a look before Luke steps back and pulls open the door, revealing no other than Nicholas Christian.

My heart drops, and so does my plate, and Carrie grips my arm, her expression telling me she's as shocked as I am that he is in front of us.

"Nick?" Carrie squeaks out, her grip tightening on me.

Nick, or Nicholas, as I have always thought of him, steps into the cafe and wipes his hair back from his face. His still jet black, yet slightly longer, messy hair. He's not shaved in a while, either, and he's clearly been working out.

Of course he's changed. It's been ten years. The sharp jawline and broad shoulders show he's more man than I could have imagined, and damn him for it.

My legs wobble, but I refuse to lose it, more than dropping the plate, I mean.

"Let me get this," I say, nodding politely at Nicholas and Luke, waving Carrie away as she tries to help me.

"I'll grab a dustpan," she says hoarsely before looking at her brother with a stunned expression. "Nick."

Their clear blue eyes lock on one another before she dashes into the back, and he nods at me before leaning down to help. His familiar scent knocks me for six, and I recoil so fast I slam into a nearby table, almost knocking myself out.

"Are you okay?" Nicholas asks, and I wave him off.

"I'm fine."

"No, really, that looked painful," Nicholas presses, but I hold my hand up, ignoring the throb in my head from the table.

"I said I'm fine, Nicholas."

He stills at my tone, and the cafe falls silent.

"Noelle, I..."

"I have to go. Apologise to Carrie for me, will you, Luke?" I can't stay in here. I can't breathe in the same air as Nicholas fucking Christian.

I can't.

I won't.

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Linz 💋