Page 58 of 12 Days of Mistletoe

Our peck is complete—and yet… Elliot flattens a hand to my lower back and hugs me close to his chest. He’s suddenly all in. He isn’t ready to let go. And mostly, I feel like it would be extremely rude to stop him. Elliot’s lips form to mine, moving and exploring and telling me this is what a kiss should feel like.

“Slow starter, but he makes up for it with his form,” the old man standing near Marlene says. His words flitter into both of our ears. I know because we each freeze at the same moment.

I pull back just a smidgen, still wrapped up in Elliot Eaton’s arms. “Do you think that’s enough?” I say, secretly hoping that he’ll tell me no—May will somehow know and we have more convincing to do. Not enough.

Elliot blinks as if just waking up. But his eyes stay locked on me. “Um—probably.”

I give the smallest of nods. “You can probably let go of me now.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

bonnie

“I toldyou he isn’t really my boyfriend.” I pull my legs up under me, curling up on my couch and repeating myself to Meg for possibly the sixth time since she called twenty minutes ago.

“Autumn said you made out in the middle of the Christmas shop.”

“Um,no. Mistletoe. There was mistletoe. And that’s part of the deal. Twelve days of kissing or twelve days of mistletoe—something like that.”

“That’s a little strange, Bonnie.”

“It’s…” It is. I don’t know how else to spin it. “Odd—for sure. But whatever gets me permission to keep Noel. Plus, now I have enough money for one of the kids on our list to get her dog sooner than planned.”

“That’s great, sweetie, but at what price? You’re kissing strangers and waltzing around with this family like they belong to you? Isn’t that, you know, causing some stress?”

“Elliot isn’t exactly a stranger. I have known him for sixmonths.” I know I’m pushing it. But what other defense do I have?

“Oh sure. You mean when he was sending you notes and threatening to kick you out of your apartment?”

“Okay, I didn’t say I know him well. And he didn’t know us at all when that was happening. He was defending his grandmother.” I huff out a tired breath. “He’s met Noel now. He knows why I did what I did. The facts have changed his mind.”

“The facts.” She grunts. “You’re spending the Christmas season with these people? Rather than here? Rather than with Mom and Dad in Georgia?”

“Hey,” I say, sitting up straighter and feeling very defensive now. “Mom and Dad never invited me. And I can’t afford Hawaii, Meg.” I guess I could have afforded a plane ticket to Hawaii had I not purchased Abby Jones a dog.

“Mom didn’t invite you because you already told her you’d be busy until Christmas day?—”

“It’s true. I have so much to do at Canine Compassion. And I’m working. Every day.”

“And yet, you’re also partying it up with the stalkers.”

I grunt. “TheEatons.”

“Whatever. He sent you secret notes for months without giving up his name. I’m still calling him the stalker.”

“Meg, we both know you don’t stay mad at anyone. So, could you get over it already? Because I am.” As the words leave my mouth, I realize the weight of them. I am over it. I one hundred percent forgive Elliot for being an idiot.

“I don’t stay mad at anyone who messes with me. But you’re my baby sister.”

I puff out a sigh and reach out to scratch Noel’s belly—she is zonked out beside me. “Listen, Elliot is a nice guy. Ipromise. This charadeisstrange, I’ll give you that, but it’s going to help us both. So, please make the choice to justsupportyour baby sister.”

Meg groans—and I pull the phone away from my ear with the noise. “Fine,” she says. “From what Autumn says, I’m guessing there’s a little more to it.”

“What does that mean? What did Autumn say?” My heart thumps in my chest, and I pick up the Grinch mug on my coffee table, wrapping one hand around the warm Christmas cup and holding my breath, waiting for Meg to explain.

“According to Autumn, it was one heck of a kiss.”

TWENTY-NINE

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