Please Remember Me

Chapter 11

Nathan and Luke were resting on the large couch watching Kota and I.

 When they had arrived in the living room, and how much of our performance they heard, I had no clue. It was Luke who was clapping with a large smile on his face. Nathan held no real expression, just simply studied my form besides the tree. I was beginning to feel like an ant under a microscope with no way to escape. 

I focused on Luke's more safe form.

"Brava! Encore! Who knew our Little Tully could sing!" 

He was boisterous and teasing, but for once I didn't feel insulted. 

I did scrunch my nose at the nickname. 

Reaching for another ornament, I stood on my toes to reach the perfect spot for it.

"Tully? My name is already ridiculous, no need to make it worse." 

I kept my tone light, to make sure Luke knew I wasn't really offended. 

With my back towards the two on the couch, I hadn't noticed Luke sneak up behind me until he spoke, making me startle slightly. Luke was so quiet and light on his toes; I bet it was a skill that helped him when he was up to no good.

"I, personally, think your name is adorable. Just like you." 

His breath whispered across the back of my neck. 

A pleasant shiver ran up my spine. 

My breathing stuttered. Luke was so close that there was barely an inch of space between our shoulders. I found my courage and looked up into his warm chocolate eyes.

"Funny." I deadpanned sticking my tongue out. 

A boisterous laugh left his body causing me to genuinely smile; the kind of smile that crinkled the skin around my eyes and embraced my soul in a much needed hug. Luke studied my face, his own beautiful smile shinning back at me. His hand reached up, a finger gently touching my cheek.

"That's a gorgeous smile you have there, Tully." 

Not sure how to handle his attention or words, I glanced behind him towards Nathan. 

His honey eyes were narrowed as he studied us; head tilted. He didn't seem very pleased. 

I frowned, turning back to my task. Instead of returning to his seat, Luke picked up an ornament and began to help us decorate. Within twenty minutes the tree was completed and we  moved on to hanging their stockings on the fireplace.

"We should do them by age! It's chronological and the most satisfying." 

Kota said debating with Luke the order in which to hang them up.

"Or....we could do it in order of how much Tulip likes us. I would be first, obviously, considering she likes me most of all. I bet grumpy grumps North would be last." 

I snorted at Luke's words, shaking my head at him.

"Luke, be nice. And that's not true; I don't like anyone more than the other. You are all pretty amazing people from what I've experienced so far." 

I said the words easily; they were true. 

I didn't dislike any of them; although, I was wary of Nathan at the moment. I didn't favor any of the men I had been able to spend time with, over the others. 

Each of them made me feel happy and accepted in their own, unique ways. 

"I think Kota is right on this though; it makes sense to order them by age and it's a simpler solution."