CHAPTER 90: KISS ON THE LIPS

The group sat gathered around a long rectangular table in the hotel’s restaurant, the air filled with the warm scent of coffee and Katie’s hot chocolate. They were still waiting for their breakfast orders when Nick, seated at the far end, shifted almost imperceptibly in his chair.

His hand dipped into his pocket, retrieving two slim velvet boxes. Without a word, he slid one across to Georgia, who sat beside him, the motion hidden by the curve of his arm.

Across from them, Ella held court at the opposite head of the table, her voice animated as she recounted—much to everyone’s amusement—how the entire ship had descended into chaos when they couldn’t find Georgia. Every eye was on her.

Perfect cover for Nick.

"This is for Katie," Nick murmured, low enough that only Georgia could hear.

Her fingers brushed the box, and her smile faltered. The look of the box was unmistakable for jewelry. A flicker of suspicion lit her eyes.

"What’s this?" she asked, her tone careful, guarded.

"Open it and see," he replied, watching her with an unreadable expression.

Georgia’s fingers worked the clasp slowly, as though bracing herself. The lid lifted to reveal a delicate necklace—small, luminous pearls threaded along a fine gold chain. Her frown deepened, confusion mixing with something else.

"Why are you giving my niece this?"

"Those are the pearls from the island," Nick said simply. "I gathered them while we harvested oysters. They’re small, so I thought they’re perfect for a child."

Before she could respond, he slid the second box toward her, his movements slow, to prevent everyone from seeing. "And this one... is for you."

Georgia hesitated, but the weight of his gaze compelled her to open it.

Her breath caught.

Nestled inside the box lay a gold necklace and a pendant.

The pendant has a stylized, swirling design that holds three pearls—the ones that Nick gave her on the island.

Five round diamonds were set into the gold curves of the pendant. The diamonds were small, just the perfect size, since they do not overpower the pearls, but instead, they accentuate the flow of the design.

"I thought I lost this," she whispered, her voice breaking as she lifted it with trembling fingers. "After I left the island... I thought it was gone forever."

Nick’s eyes never left her, dark and steady. "Do you want me to put it on you?"

For a heartbeat, the clamor of the restaurant faded. Her pulse thundered in her ears, her mind torn between the sharp awareness of the people just feet away—and the man beside her who seemed to see no one but her.

Georgia was still frozen in disbelief, her fingers curled protectively around the pendant, when a voice cut through the warm hum of the restaurant.

"Hey—what’s going on over there?" Ella’s words sliced through the air, drawing every pair of eyes toward the far end of the table, to where Nick sat close beside Georgia.

Georgia blinked, dragged abruptly back into the present, the weight of everyone’s stares settling on her like heat.

"Oh! You already gave it to her?" Vicky’s tone was half-accusation, half-delight. "Bummer. I thought you had something special planned for that moment."

That word, ’special’, made Georgia look up sharply. "Planned something special?" she asked, a crease forming between her brows.

"Yeah," Vicky said casually, "you know, like on a date or something."

A ripple of laughter ran down the table, lighthearted and teasing, but Nick’s shoulders went rigid. His palm covered his face for the briefest moment before he shot his sister a warning glare, the kind that meant drop it now.

She ignored him entirely.

"This isn’t what you think," Georgia protested, shaking her head. "These pearls... Nick found them in oysters on the island. They were huge, really rare. We were lucky. Although, those oysters poisoned him and he was—"

Her words were abruptly cut off when Nick’s hand clamped gently but firmly over her mouth.

"We’re about to eat," he said evenly, leaning in close so only she could feel the low warning in his voice. "Don’t ruin their appetite."

Her eyes sparkled with suppressed laughter, the corners of her lips twitching beneath his palm.

Relenting, she lowered the box and pushed it toward him. "You go ahead." Then, without hesitation, she turned in her chair, gathering her hair in one hand and lifting it to bare the graceful line of her neck.

Nick hesitated and blushed as everyone was watching them, just long enough for the moment to stretch taut between them.

He took the necklace and put it on her. His fingers brushed the curve of her shoulder as he fastened the clasp, the subtle heat of her skin bleeding through to his own.

From across the table, Vicky’s gaze softened as she shook her head. ’She’s hopeless,’ she thought. ’Completely blind to the fact that my idiot brother is drowning in her.’

When the clasp clicked into place, Georgia’s hand found his on the table and gave it a warm, grateful squeeze. "Thank you. I didn’t think you’d actually take them with you—let alone turn them into something this beautiful. I’m... really happy."

If Nick’s face had been red before, now it deepened to a shade that made Oliver and Liam bite the insides of their cheeks. Ella and Vicky put their hands over their mouths to hide their grins, and even Wendy struggled to keep her composure.

But Katie, blissfully unfiltered, piped up with bright curiosity. Her innocence didn’t shy away from expressing her observation. "Uncle Nick, why is your face so red? Are you shy?"

That was it... Everyone’s breaking point.

Laughter exploded around the table, spilling over in waves. Ella nearly choking, Vicky shaking her head, Oliver pounding a fist on the table. Liam was holding his stomach in from too much laughter.

Nick leaned back in his chair, his voice almost defensive. "I’m just embarrassed I’m getting all the credit when it was Vicky and Liam who actually went to the jeweler to turn the pearls into necklaces."

Vicky shook her head with a smile, brushing his words aside. "We only did it because you told us to. You gave the order... and the design. Don’t downplay it, you knew exactly how you wanted it to look. You even drew it on the paper."

Georgia’s breath caught. She’d been touched before by his acts—but now, knowing he’d designed it himself, the warmth was sharp, almost overwhelming. Her voice softened. "You really impressed me with this one, Nick. I... don’t know how I could ever repay you."

"You don’t have to." His eyes locked on hers, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them. "It’s my gift to you. And Katie. Try hers on her."

Georgia took the second necklace with careful hands, draping it around Katie’s small neck. The child’s delighted squeal was immediate; she bounded straight to Nick, wrapping her arms around him and planting a quick kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, Uncle Nick!"

Then Katie spun toward Georgia, eyes wide with mischief that only a child could carry without shame. "Aunt Georgia, you should kiss Uncle Nick too... on the lips!" She pointed directly at Nick’s mouth.

Time froze.

Georgia and Nick’s eyes widened, totally caught off guard by a little child, making the group laugh hard once more.

*******

Thank you for the Golden Ticket!

Edna_R2679