Page 100 of 12 Days of Mistletoe

I stand straight, gaining some control of my body, and nod.

“You’re acting weird.” She peers up at me, a worry line forming between her eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m okay.” Whoa. Two words.Way to go, Elliot.

“Do I look strange? I’ve never been this dressed up in my life. Is it laughable?” She peers down at herself. Does she not see it? Does she not realize that she should wear formal attire wherever she goes? Walking the dogs—yep, grab the formal. Scrabble with Bill—put that dress on. Dinner with Elliot—please,pleasewear the dress.

I blink. Thinking. Real, actual words forming. “You look… you?—”

She lifts one brow. If I don’t get something out soon, she’ll think I’ve lost my mind, or worse, that she actually does look strange. And that would be a travesty.

“You are stunning.” I swallow, unable to take my eyes off her—even to check myself and our tabling agreement.

Her cheeks flood with rose-colored warmth, the color only increasing how lovely she is in this moment.

Q would say I’m whipped. And he might be right.

She nibbles on her bottom lip, reining in a grin. “You look pretty sharp too.”

Regaining my full ability to speak once more, I swallow down my nerves. “Would a photo be against all the tabling rules?”

Her dark lashes fan in a blink. “I don’t think so.”

I pull out my cell, wrap one arm around Bonnie’s waist, and snap a couple selfies of the two of us. “I’ll send them to you,” I say. Tingles shoot through my limbs. And because my hands and lips are having a difficult time behaving right now, I lean down and brush a kiss on her cheek before I explode. It’s not my best idea—one little touch, and now I’m in physical pain. Pain. And I’m pretty sure the only cure is touching her again. All at once, I’ve turned into a masochist, but only if Bonnie Miller is involved.

“Should we go?” Bonnie says, bringing me out of another stupor.

It’s going to be a long night.

A long, glorious night.

FORTY-FIVE

bonnie

When May Elliot throws a party—thewoman goes all out.

Elliot and I walk inside to trees, holly, lights, and music. May takes me in, like the fairy grandmother she is, with so much love and approval.

We take photos with the Eaton family, and then May insists on couples shots. I stand in Elliot’s arms, Noel at my side, and plaster on a smile. It would feel so real and so good—if I weren’t afakegirlfriend with a very real family watching the whole thing.

Half an hour into May’s family time, there’s a knock at the door. The first guest is early. Bill. Invited by May.

“You look like a movie star, Bon Bon.”

I kind of feel like a movie star in this dress and with Merlee’s magical hairdo. I wink at my friend. “You look like Sean Connery as 007,” I say, knowing Bill’s love for the actor.

My tall friend stands a little taller, hands in his pockets. “I reallydo, don’t I?”

Friends and extended family started arriving at seven on the dot, and I’m pretty sure they just keep coming. May’s house is full. Full of food and conversing, Christmas music, and ambiance. Dancing in her great room, where all her furniture has been cleared away. It’s a house party, and she’s using her entire house. It’s something out of a story.

I’m standing close to Elliot when a man enters the living room. He waves his hand wildly toward my “boyfriend,” and I glance back to Elliot.

“Q,” he says, smiling. “I have to introduce you or he’ll never leave us alone.”

I giggle. “Sure.” With Elliot’s hand in mine, we meet Quinten halfway into this crowded room.

The short, muscular man pushes his glasses up on the brim of his nose and points two finger guns in my direction. “Hottie with the dog.”

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