Page 3 of Mistle-Ho

Leo stares at me a second before his face splits into a smile and he barks out a laugh, slapping me on the back. “Dude, you almost had me there.” He turns to scoop out another serving of the punch I’ve puked more times than I can count. “Top off your drink and I’ll introduce you to the Millers’ daughter. I haven’t seen her in years, and she’s looking pretty damn good tonight.”

I turn down both the drink and the introduction. “Maybe later.” I don’t have any interest in meeting some random chick, no matter how good Leo thinks she looks. All my thoughts are on finding Alexis and apologizing for whatever I did to upset her.

Leo studies me a second. “You need to get back into the swing of things, man. I can’t stand you when you’re not getting laid.”

“You can’t stand me when Iamgetting laid.” I give him a grin. “And maybe you should introduceyourselfto Miss Miller, because I’m pretty sure you’ve got a little dry spell of your own going on.”

Leo tips his head from side to side as he considers. “That’s not a bad idea.” He straightens off the counter, drinking downmore of the Devil’s Kool-Aid. “I’m going to tell her I make more money than you, and you better fucking back me up.”

“I have lied to your own mother for you.” I lift one hand, holding up two fingers. “Twice.”

Leo gives me the lopsided smile that makes him seem unthreatening despite his size. “And I expect you to lie to her again when she asks if you saw me talking to Miss Miller.”

“Fuck, Leo.” I rake one hand through my hair. “Your mom told you to stay away from her and you were going to throw me under the bus?”

“Hell yeah, I was.” He smooths down the front of the green T-shirt stretched across his chest. “But you missed your chance, so now I’m the one who’ll be under the bus.” Leo gives me a wink as he backs away. “And maybe under Miss Miller.”

I angle a brow as I look pointedly at his shirt. “You sure you want to shoot your shot wearing a ‘Balls Deep in Christmas’ shirt?”

Leo’s eyes drop to the white print scrolled over his pecs. “Shit.”

Forcing away any trace of a smile, I ask in my most serious tone, “You want to trade?”

My best friend scoffs. “Yours says ‘Wanna See My Sack?,’ dick. It’s fucking worse.” Leo looks around, like a less offensive shirt will appear out of thin air, as he slides his empty cup onto the counter. “I need to go raid my dad’s closet. Entertain yourself for a while.”

As he stalks off, I collect his cup and chuck it in the trash then send a few others to the same fate, killing time until he’s out of sight. Then I go on a little search of my own.

Making a quick stop at the enormous Christmas tree positioned in front of the windows spanning the back of the house, I crouch down. Picking through the brightly colored packages stacked beneath the ornament laden evergreenbranches, I retrieve the small gift tucked at the very back. I always get presents for Leo’s parents, but this year I bought an additional gift. One that was too perfect to pass up. I didn’t want to make shit weird by bringing it here Christmas morning, so I snuck it in with me tonight, hoping I’d have the chance to deliver it.

Tucking the item close, I duck off to the side of the tree, using it as cover to slip out the back door unnoticed. Stepping silently onto the dark deck, it takes my eyes a second to adjust to the change in brightness. Between the tree, the string lights, and the illuminated decorations stacked on every available surface, the interior of the house is like being under a spotlight. Out here, there’s just the glow of the windows to break up the night, and I’m blinded by the sudden shift.

After a few blinks, the woman I’m seeking comes into view. As I expected, Alexis has retreated to the darkest corner of the deck. She’s got both elbows propped on the railing, her clasped hands supporting her chin as she stares across the backyard that still sports the swing set and treehouse she played in as a kid.

“Hey.” I keep my voice low so I don’t startle her. I don’t want her to think I’m sneaking up on her. Trying to steal the peace she came here to claim.

Alexis sucks in a breath as she turns my way. Her eyes narrow when they land on me. “Am I in your way of enjoying the deck now?”

Shit. I knew she was gonna take that wrong. Sometimes I forget I can’t tease Al. Not the way I used to. I don’t know why things changed between us, but I’m hoping my peace offering will change them back.

“You weren’t in my way earlier.” I cross the distance between us. “I was just trying to joke around.”

Her blue eyes remain cool. “It was hilarious.”

I wince a little. “That’s why I’m out here. I want to apologize.” I hold out the box, watching her reaction. The sage green paper taped around it feels almost like velvet. An evergreen sprig and two small gold pinecones dangle from the deep green bow tied at the center. I thought it was a little much, but the chick at the gift-wrapping counter assured me a woman as stylish as Alexis would love it. “I got you something.”

Al’s eyes drop to the package before coming back to mine, still narrowed but now also filled with suspicion. “What is it?”

“Open it and find out.” I tip it from side to side, trying to entice her to take it. “Unless you’re scared.”

Al’s brows lift. “Should I be?”

I shake my head. “Not of me.”

For a second, her expression softens, but then it snaps right back to the mask of irritation she wears whenever I’m around. “Somehow I don’t believe you.”

She takes the present anyway, giving me one more look before going to work unwrapping it. I don’t miss how careful she is to not tear the paper or how gently she slips the bow off one side. Guess the wrapping lady was right.

Once the box is free, Alexis cautiously lifts the lid and pulls back the tissue paper to reveal what’s inside.

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