Chapter Eleven
Christmas Eve.
Zach glanced at his phone. Nick’s meeting was due to start in five minutes. Zach knew what that was all about.
This is the farewell speech, isn’t it? He’s going to pat us all on the back, tell us we’ve been great, then share the news that he’s done here.
The end of the day couldn’t come soon enough. Only an hour to go.
The hardest part about the last few days? Saying goodbye on Sunday when they’d finally gotten the news that the snow emergency was over. Teams had begun clearing the roads early Sunday morning, and by noon they were passable.
Both he and Nick had put off the goodbyes for as long as possible. They’d checked out of their room, then sat in the lobby with their bags, drinking coffee with Mom and Lee, but mostly talking to each other, promising to call each other every night.
Two nights, for God’s sake. They were only going to be parted for two lousy nights, and yet it felt longer.
That final kiss in Nick’s car in the parking garage… They’d made it last: it had to keep them going until Tuesday evening. Zach knew Nick was right though. It was better to be safe.
“Zach? You coming?” Dave patted him on the shoulder. “You don’t want to be late.” His eyes gleamed. “Hey, it’s not like he could hate you any more than he already does, right?” He glanced around the office before continuing, his voice hushed. “You think the rumors are true?”
“What rumors?” Zach’s heartbeat sped up.
“Word is, Mr. Nicholas Brent is off to pastures new. I guess you won’t be crying over that, huh?” Dave shook his head. “What does he have against you anyway?”
“Who knows? And if he is going, then I guess he’s accomplished what he set out to do, right?
” Maintaining an act of indifference had gotten tougher as the days passed.
His heart ached. Keeping up the act of not liking each other had been torture, and Zach had lived for their phone calls.
Not that a call came close to having Nick in his arms.
Not much longer. Not much longer.
There had been no news from Head Office apparently, or if there had, Nick hadn’t shared it. Maybe whatever he’s tried to do hasn’t worked. Zach was holding onto the slim hope that Nick wouldn’t end up on the other side of the country. Because if that happened…
Zach didn’t want to even contemplate it. The hardest part was yet to come—saying goodbye. Because it didn’t matter where Nick ended up, he would still leave, and this precious bubble of time that enveloped them would be well and truly burst.
He got up from his desk and followed Dave and the rest of the staff into the boardroom, where Nick was already waiting, standing by the window and staring out at the wintry sky. Snow was still falling, but nowhere near as much as the previous weekend.
It’s going to be a white Christmas after all.
When everyone had squeezed in, Nick turned to face them and greeted them with a smile. “First of all, well done. I’ve emailed Head Office with the news, so now I’m sharing it with you. This branch is in great shape, and that’s thanks to all the hard work you’ve put in over the last four months.”
Applause began somewhere, and soon everyone had joined in.
Nick nodded as the clapping died down. “Which leads me on to my next bits of news. Today is officially my last day here. Thank you for your cooperation. And I’m sure you’ll extend the same cooperation to your new manager who will start in the New Year.
Sally Gordon will be moving from Pittsburgh to take over here.
She’s got a great deal of experience, and I know she’ll make sure the branch stays in its current shape.
” Murmurs rippled through some of the staff seated around the long polished table, and Nick’s eyes sparkled.
“Some of you are already acquainted with her reputation, I see.”
Zach had heard of her. Sally Gordon would be tougher than their previous manager, but that was no bad thing.
“So it only leaves me to wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and to remind you the branch closes today at noon.” Nick grinned. “As if you needed reminding.” Laughter echoed around the room. “That’s all. Thank you.” Another round of applause erupted, and Nick’s face flushed.
The staff filed out of the boardroom, chatting noisily. Zach longed to stay behind, but he didn’t dare. Just a little while longer.
By the time noon arrived, Zach had tidied his desk, packed anything he needed to take home, and placed his Kalanchoe carefully into a plastic bag.
The bright red flowers lived up to their name of Flaming Katy.
He gave Nick’s office door a lingering glance.
Nick had been in his office all morning, apart from the meeting, and there had been no opportunities to talk.
Maybe he did that on purpose. Zach knew the last two days had been tough for Nick too. Avoiding each other kept them both out of temptation’s way.
“Hey, Zach.” Penny stood next to his desk, her thick coat wrapped around her. She grinned. “You planning on getting locked in for the holidays? Time to go.”
Zach got to his feet and gave her a hug. “Have a great Christmas.”
Her eyes sparkled. “I’m going home to the wife. It doesn’t get any better than that.” She kissed his cheek. “Hope you find a gorgeous hunk under your Christmas tree this year,” she whispered.
“You never know,” Zach said with a smile as she released him. Penny walked toward the main door, humming Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
Zach gave Nick’s door one last look, then followed her.
Hey, Santa. I’ve been good. Any chance you can fix it for Nick to stick around a little longer?
He intended making the most of every minute they got.
When the doorbell rang, Zach flew across the apartment to answer it. Nick stood on his outer doormat, bundled up in his long black coat, snowflakes still in his hair and a large overnight bag in each hand.
Zach bit back a grin. “Are you moving in?”
Nick rolled his eyes as he stepped into the apartment and stomped his boots on the indoor mat. “Funny man.” Then he dropped the bags to the floor, and Zach found himself in Nick’s arms. “God, I’ve missed this,” Nick murmured, before claiming Zach’s mouth in a no-holds-barred kiss.
“Can I close the door first?” Zach managed to get out.
Nick gave it a shove. “There. It’s closed. Now, where were we?”
Zach didn’t give a flying leap about Nick’s damp coat. He only cared that Nick was finally there. He locked his arms around Nick and gave free rein to the need that had been simmering since Sunday.
When they parted, Nick grinned. “Now that’s what I call a welcome.” He gave Zach another kiss, except this time it was gentle. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
Zach had never heard sweeter words.
“It is now.” Zach peered at Nick’s feet. “Boots, off.” He waited while Nick removed them, then took Nick’s hand. “Leave the bags. Come in and get warm. Dinner is in the oven. I’ve made us a beef casserole.” He led Nick into the living room, before helping him out of his coat.
“How domesticated. Is this where I find out if you can cook?” Nick teased.
“Well, seeing as you’re going to be staying here a while, you’d better hope I can.” Zach went in search of a hanger for the coat, which needed to dry out.
“I’ve been eating out and living on microwaved meals for months,” Nick called out. “If you’ve made it, I’ll love it.”
Zach chuckled as he came back into the room. “You can relax. Mom started teaching me to cook when I was ten. I think I’ve learned a thing or two since then.”
Nick glanced around the room. “This is cozy.”
Zach guffawed. “That’s what my landlord said when he first showed me the apartment.
I figured it was another way of saying tiny.
” He shrugged. “It’s okay. At least here I can afford a place of my own.
It wouldn’t be so easy over in Manhattan.
” He flashed Nick a grin. “A place this size? I’d have to have at least three roommates to be able to afford the rent. ”
Nick blinked. “I guess I should’ve asked if you had room for me before I invited myself to stay.”
Zach moved closer, his hands around Nick’s waist. “Here’s the important stuff. There’s one bedroom. That okay with you?”
Nick’s lingering kiss was all the response Zach needed.
They’d made it. Two days of avoidance, and Nick was finally there, in the apartment, in Zach’s arms, and he’d be there for as long as Zach could hold onto him.
Nick broke the kiss and peered at the alcove next to the TV. “Nice tree.”
“I bought it specially.” When Nick gave him a quizzical glance, Zach sighed.
“I don’t decorate for Christmas because I’m never here.
I usually visit Mom for the holidays. But when I got home Sunday, I took one look at the place and decided that if I was having a guest, I needed a tree.
” It wasn’t all that big, but the lights were pretty, and he’d found sets of red and gold glass baubles to cover most of it.
“I love it. This place beats my rental hands down.” Nick kissed him. “And I like cozy.”
“Don’t stop,” Zach murmured when Nick pulled away. “We’re making up for those days when we couldn’t do this.”
Nick laughed softly. “We’ve got more than enough time for that.” He took a breath. “How long till we eat? Because I need to talk to you.”
That was all it took to get Zach’s heart pounding. “You’ve heard from Head Office.” Nick nodded, and Zach pointed to the couch. “Then sit, and tell me the bad news.”
“What makes you think it’s bad?” Nick demanded, settling back against the cushions. Zach joined him.
Zach rolled his eyes. “You’re moving away. Trust me, that’s as bad as it gets. And besides, you haven’t mentioned this brilliant scheme you’ve come up with since Sunday.” Because nothing short of brilliance would keep Nick close.
Nick pulled Zach to him and put his arm around him. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything, not until I had news to share. You’ve been thinking about it all this time, haven’t you?”
“A bit,” Zach lied.