Page 40 of Mishaps and Mistletoe

“I still don’t know why you insisted I bring this.” She patted the pocket of her green silk dress. The fabric matched the color of her eyes. Eyes Kevin had once looked into and said were the prettiest shade of green he’d ever seen. That’s why she’d bought this dress. She sucked in a shaky breath when she realized he’d probably never look at her like that again

“Christmas is a time for miracles. You never know when one might happen.”

She craned her neck to look up at him. “I think it’s just a miracle I’m here.” As much as she loved her dress, her sweatpants and couch beckoned her to come home and spend the evening with them—just as she had every night this week. “The resort staff really pulled out all the stops tonight, didn’t they?” The two of them dined on light appetizers and watched the slide show presentation Josie had put together—the one that had gotten the promotion she was here to celebrate. When they’d called her on stage to “pass the baton,” as Nora had said, Josie couldn’t help but think that none of this would have been possible without the one man she couldn’t stop thinking about. The one man she’d probably never see again.

Except Wheeling was a super small town. Of course, she’d see him again. It would just be super awkward. The thought nearly made her lose her coconut shrimp.

“I don’t think I’ve told you how proud of you I am, Jojo.”

Her eyes met her friend’s. “And I don’t think I’ve thanked you enough for bringing me here tonight.”

“Bringing you or dragging you?” They both chuckled. When she’d told him about her botched grand gesture, he’d only asked her what time she needed him. And when he’d picked her up, he wrapped her in an enormous hug. Because he knew that’s what she needed.

“Fine. I’m glad you dragged me here.” He turned her slowly, and the glimmer of hundreds of twinkle lights that framed the auditorium made her feel like she was living in a dream, a welcome change. This past week had been a nightmare.

Johnny’s eyes danced around the banquet hall, stretching his neck every which way before looking back at her.

“Did you pull something at the gym this morning?” Josie asked.

“My neck? Oh, yeah. It’s a little stiff,” he answered, though his thoughts seemed miles away. She didn’t believe him for a second. When she was about to prod farther, he stopped.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“You know what?” He dropped his hands from her hips. “There’s actually a Christmas tree over there that looks like someone should rock around.” He threw a thumb over his shoulder. “So, I’m gonna go check that out.” He turned on his heel and left her standing in the middle of the dance floor with nothing but a million questions swirling in her mind.

“In his defense, the tree did look a little lonely,” a deep voice came from behind her. A voice she’d know anywhere. One that still made her heart stop and the goosebumps on her arms spring to life.

She turned slowly, but not slow enough if the unsteadiness in her body was any indication. Though, the sight of this man towering over her in a suit, perfectly fitted across his broad shoulders, and his hands tucked behind his back was enough to knock her to the floor.

“Kevin?” she whispered.

“May I have this dance?”

* * *

He had an entire speech planned,one he’d rehearsed many times. But when he’d watched Josie and Johnny on the dance floor, he was speechless. Josie was luminous. A vision. A star so bright, he felt unworthy of being in her orbit. But he was here. And as much as he wanted to bolt from the auditorium and leave a Kevin-sized hole in the door, Roadrunner-style, he knew he’d never forgive himself if he didn’t talk to her.

He stood close to her, noticing the way the color of her dress turned her eyes to high definition, and the rhinestones along the sheer fabric on her arms didn’t sparkle half as much as the two pools of green that drew him in. Speech? What speech? He couldn’t even remember his name.

He offered her a hand slickened with sweat. She pulled it around her waist, and his palm slid across the cool fabric.

“You came,” she breathed, barely audible over the bluesy sounds of the brass instruments that played a slow Christmas ballad.

“I said I would. And contrary to recent evidence, I am a man of my word.”

She bit her lip. “Kevin, I’m—”

“I’m sorry,” they both said at once.

“I know you don’t have any right to trust me—”

“I do,” Josie blurted. “I understand why you kept that from me.” But she really didn’t. That’s why he was here. He tucked her slender hand into the crook of his elbow and walked her to the back of the room. Two large doors led to a brick overlook with small outdoor fireplaces and a breathtaking view of the park at night. He shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. She didn’t run from him, so things were going well so far.

He turned to face her. “I messed up, Josie.”

“Kevin.” She held the jacket tight against her body. “I didn’t mean what I said, and I never should have said it.”

“I get why you did, though. It’s exactly what your ex did.”

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