Fatty Patty (A James Bay Novel) (24 page)

“Don’t all girls?” He bends for a closer look. “You really think she’d like them?”

“I do.”

“That settles that. I’ll take them.” He straightens, glances around the crowded, understaffed store busy with Christmas shoppers. “Once I find someone to help me.”

I peek at my watch. The store has extended holiday hours and doesn’t close until ten. I’ll come back and pick up Nick’s gift once Sam is gone.

“When do you leave for Arizona?”

“I fly out Sunday… unless that snowstorm they’re predicting screws things up. But I’ll be back before New Year’s Eve.” He gives me a sideways glance. “Do you have any plans?”

“Priscilla and I usually go to Midnight Mass, and—”

“No, I’m talking about New Year’s Eve. I thought maybe if you weren’t busy…” His tone quiets. “Or maybe you’re going to another party.”

“No plans,” I say with a quick smile. I won’t lie to him. Sam doesn’t deserve it. “At least, not yet.”

Do they play basketball games on New Year’s Eve?

“How about I give you a call when I get back? If you’re not busy, maybe we can do something.”

“That sounds good.” I can deal with that. Casual, comfortable. Just like Sam. Easy, friendly, safe. Maybe a little
too
safe. Safe can turn dangerous, fast. I learned that lesson in the basement.

As soon as I get home, I’m checking Nick’s basketball schedule.

A thin salesman in a shiny suit finally breezes over from another counter. He slides behind the diamond display case and eyes the two of us with a speculative smile. “Shopping for that special occasion?”

Sam nods. “That’s right.”

“’Tis the season.” The salesman beams. “We have some beautiful wedding sets I’d love to show you. They’re right over here if you’ll just step this way.” He waves toward a nearby case.

Sam breaks out in a fit of coughing and I clutch my hands behind my back, hiding my ring finger.

“Actually, I’m buying a gift for my niece,” Sam manages to sputter. His face is redder than his sweater.

There’s never been a better time for a quick exit and I’m grabbing it now. I squeeze Sam’s shoulder, jam my hand in my pocket, and wrap my fingers around Nick’s receipt. “See you Friday night,” I say and head out the door.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“But you can’t leave now.” I stare at Nick across the empty table in the staff lounge. “Christmas vacation doesn’t start for another two days.”

“No choice.” He sprawls back in his chair. “My sister Jenny got on the phone last night to rally the troops. I head to the airport right after school.”

“But you’ll miss the party. The excitement. The kids. You’ll miss everything.” How can he do this to me? I try to keep the disappointment from creeping over my face. “Couldn’t you put off leaving just two more days?”

God, am I really begging?

“Sorry, but I’ve got to go. I was lucky to snag a seat. That snowstorm headed this way has everybody rebooking their flights. I’m getting on that plane tonight and heading west.” He stretches with a lazy yawn and throws me a wide smile. “Christmas in California. Sunshine and blue skies.”

“It sounds wonderful,” I mumble. Wonderful for him, not so wonderful for me. But why should his news come as a surprise? What else should I expect from a golden boy like Nick?

“What about you? Got special plans?”

“Nothing to speak of.” If the bad weather they’re predicting comes true, I’ll probably spend my holiday shoveling snow. At least the exercise will do me good. It will help burn off the calories from the Christmas cookies I plan on eating, once I discover where Priscilla stashed them.

“Perk up, Patty. It’s Christmas, remember? You’re supposed to be happy.”

“It might be Christmas, but it’s also cold,” I glumly remind him.

Nick grins. “Why not give yourself a little present and take a vacation yourself? Hop a plane and fly someplace warm.”

California, maybe?

“Is that an invitation?” I dare a quick smile, even though I know I’m not going anywhere. I can’t afford it, plus I can’t leave Priscilla. Especially not at Christmas. Holidays mean family and home. And home for Priscilla means that big drafty house.

The shrill ring of the playground bell sounds in the hallway. Nick shoves his chair under the table. “Back to the grind. You coming?”

“Right behind you.” I trail him into the hallway, crowded with rosy-cheeked kids fresh from noon recess. “Be sure and stop to say good-bye before you leave,” I call through the hallway hubbub. Thank goodness I brought Nick’s Christmas present to school. It’s been tucked away in the bottom of my desk for days. “I’ve got something for you…”

Did he even hear me? Nick just keeps on walking, disappearing into the crowd.

# # #

The final bell rings and the classroom empties out. I keep one eye on the clock. Two minutes pass. Five minutes, then ten. I take deep breaths, tell myself it doesn’t matter as the minute hand sweeps past fifteen. I knew Nick was in a rush to get going. Why should he stop and say good-bye? Why should it matter if he does or doesn’t?

Twenty minutes later, he strolls in the door and perches on the corner of my desk.

My heart pounds. He came!

“I have something for you.” I pull open my bottom drawer and draw out the small box adorned with a silver bow. For weeks I’ve been dreaming about the look on Nick’s face when he sees his gift. My heart races and my fingers tremble as I slide the box across the desk.

“You got me a present?” He picks up the box, fingers the ribbon. My stomach sinks as I catch the fleeting guilt on his face and I suddenly realize there’s no present for me. I shouldn’t have bought him a gift. I shouldn’t have spent the money. All I wanted to do was make him feel good and I’ve embarrassed him.

“It’s nothing, really,” I assure him. “No big deal.”

He stares at it a long moment, turning the box over and over in his hands. Finally he looks up at me. “I guess in all the rush, I forgot your Christmas present.” The tips of his ears are tinged a brilliant scarlet. “You probably hate me, right?”

“No, it’s fine, really.” How could I hate him? “I never expected anything.” I feel the hot flush rush up my cheeks. Of course I expected something. Friends exchange gifts, right? And Nick and I are friends, right? I was starting to think we were more than friends.

Guess I thought wrong.

I take a deep breath. If he didn’t get me a gift, then so be it. It’s Christmas, the time of giving. It’s better to give than to receive. And if you expect nothing, it’s easier to handle disappointment.

“I did get you a present. I just forgot it at home. I’m a total jerk.” Nick slowly starts to unwrap the ribbons, his face growing redder by the moment.

The knot in my stomach tightens. Why is he lying? He never bought me a gift. That part is bad enough, but hearing him lie hurts worse than knowing he never even gave me a thought. Why doesn’t he hurry up, open his present and leave? Who is he trying to kid?

And who am I trying to kid? I’ve always known he was way out of my league. Nick’s a golden boy, meant for sunshine and blue skies. Why should someone like him care about someone like me when I don’t even care about myself?

I’m nothing but a big fat loser
.

Nick slips the silver whistle from the velvet bag and stares at it for a long moment. “Patty, this is—“

“I thought it would come in handy when you were coaching.” Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why did I go to so much trouble? Now he’ll know how much I care.
Too much
. When will I ever learn?

“And you even had it engraved.” He flips the cord over his head and adjusts the whistle so it hangs below his shirt collar. His eyes shine. “It’s perfect. I’ll think of you every time I wear it.”

I force a smile to my face. “I’m glad you like it.”

“Like it? I love it.” He grabs my hand, squeezes my fingers. “I’m going to miss you, Patty. I’ll think about you every day I’m gone.”

Sure he will. Just like Santa really slides down the chimney and leaves gifts under the tree for all the good little boys and girls.

“Merry Christmas, Patty.” Nick leans over the desk, grabs me by the shoulders and softly presses his lips against my own.

My heart hammers against my chest and there’s a sudden lump in my throat. He does care, I tell myself, my lips tingling as Nick pulls away. He never would have kissed me if he didn’t care.

Am I wrong? Is there something between us? I’m so bad at reading men. “Nick, I—”

“I’ve got to get going if I’m going to make that plane.” He touches the tip of my nose and gives me a tender smile. “Sorry again about forgetting your present. I’ll make it up to you when I get back.” He leans over, plants one last soft, lingering kiss on my lips. “Merry Christmas, Patty.”

“Merry Christmas, Nick,” I whisper as he strolls out the door.

# # #

“Patty?”

The unexpected voice startles me, and I nearly drop my watering can. I turn from my task watering all the plants lined up in my classroom window and see Nick standing in the doorway. His red down jacket is zipped up tight. His hair is wet with snow.

“What are you doing here?” I sink against the counter. My legs feel like rubber bands and the watering can suddenly feels like it weighs fifty pounds. “Aren’t you supposed to be at the airport?”

“Soon.” Puddles of melting snow dodge his steps as Nick winds his way through the maze of desks. “I went home and grabbed my stuff and then I thought… well, I decided to make a quick detour. You looked so down when we said good-bye.”

I gulp for air as he takes one last step and finally stands in front of me. No desks separate us. The scent of the fresh outdoors clings to him, even with his coat zipped. He stares at me a long moment. “I couldn’t leave remembering you like that.”

He came back because of me? I shove some of the flower pots aside and perch on the counter. If I don’t sit, I’ll fall on the floor.

“I wasn’t sure you’d still be here,” he adds. “Then I saw your car in the parking lot.”

“I’m just finishing up. I always water the plants on Wednesday.”
Shut up, shut up, let him do the talking
. But my heart is racing like crazy and so is my mouth. “The janitors are supposed to keep them watered, but I don’t trust them.”

One corner of his mouth lifts. “You didn’t trust me, either, did you? You thought I forgot all about you.”

“No, I—”

“Yes, you did. You thought I didn’t get you a Christmas present.” He reaches in his coat pocket and draws out a little box. “Merry Christmas.”

I stare at the tiny box with a silvery bow he’s tucked in my hand. Unless this came from a quick-stop convenience store, Nick’s had my gift all along. It’s been less than one hour since we said good-bye, since he kissed me. He hasn’t had time to shop.

He didn’t forget me after all.

“I hope you like it.” His words spill out in a rush. “It took me awhile to figure out what to get you. I wanted it to be something special. You’re not like other girls, Patty.”

I blink back hot, sudden tears. He wouldn’t have bothered to get me a present unless he cared. And he came back. That has to mean something. Doesn’t it?

“Aren’t you going to open it?”

My fingers tremble as I tear off the ribbon and paper. I hesitate at the sight of the familiar blue velveteen box. It’s from a jewelry store. The same store where I had Nick’s whistle engraved. My breath catches as I snap open the lid. A glittering apple brooch on a bed of crushed silk winks up at me. Gleaming garnets, polished with gold and a twinkling diamond stem.

“You like it?” His voice is filled with hope.

Like it? I love it! First he kisses me and now he gives me diamonds? How could I not love it? How could I not love him?

“It’s an apple for my favorite teacher,” he says softly. “I know it hasn’t been easy for you putting up with me, but you’ve been great, Patty. You never complain. I’ve learned a lot from you.”

“Same here,” I whisper. Biology, cardiology… when it comes to Nick, all subjects apply. Except psychology. Just when I think I have him all figured out, he gives me something like this jeweled pin. I don’t know much about jewelry but I know enough to know I’m holding the real thing. Real gold, real garnets, real diamonds. This piece had to set him back some serious cash. Lots more than that silly engraved whistle I gave him which he still has draped around his neck.

He shifts on his feet. “Sorry to cut this short, but if I don’t get going, I’ll miss my plane.”

“I know.” I finger the delicate brooch. Being around him makes me crazy. What is he trying to prove? What does this present mean? Why did he kiss me? Will he kiss me again?

“Hey, what happened to your smile? Remember what Santa says—
you better not pout, you better not cry
.” He wags a finger in my face. “We’ll celebrate when I get back. Got any plans for New Year’s Eve?”

“No.” Then I remember Sam. “Yes. Well, maybe, maybe not. I’m not sure.” Sam and I didn’t make specific plans. “Why? Are you coming back for New Year’s?”

“Not sure. I’ve got a return ticket for December thirtieth, but you never know when it comes to the weather.” He tugs on his leather gloves and grins. “So, no more being mad at me?”

My face flushes bright red. “I wasn’t mad.”

He laughs. “Patty, that’s one thing I love about you. You’re so easy to read. ” He reaches over and brushes away some wisps of curls from my face. “Now I can leave with a clear conscience.”

He leans toward me and I close my eyes, wait for the soft press of his lips on mine. He loves me? He loves me! It’s not Christmas yet but I’ve already got the best present in the world—Nick Lamont.

Too bad he has a plane to catch. Too bad he won’t be here for Christmas. Too bad there’s no time to continue this delicious…

“Merry Christmas, Patty.”

His lips lightly graze my cheek. My eyes fly open and I stare after him as he breezes out the door.

I stare long and hard at the glittering pin still gripped in my hand. And here I thought women were supposed to be the complicated sex. Nick could teach us a thing or two. He complicates life in good ways and bad.