Page 57 of Merry Kissmas

We increase our speed, trying not to let Tre and Tessa see us since they’ll run too if they do.

“Damn it!”

I look back to see Brynn on the ground, face first in a mound of snow.She lifts her head, and it’s red from the temperature of the ice.

“No way, victory is mine,” Tre shouts and grabs Tessa’s hand.

Brynn gets up but slips on the ice again.I bend down and pick her up, swinging her over my shoulder.No way am I letting Tre beat us.My eyes remain on Tre, narrowing as I clear the distance, jumping over a small bush.

“Jesus, I can run.Put me down,” Brynn shouts.

Tre’s practically dragging Tessa.

“Hello, I work at a bakery.I’m not running on a treadmill icing cupcakes.Slow down,” Tessa barks at her husband, who looks just as determined as me.

We’re all a few feet away from the door and increase our pace.I reach the door right before him, placing my hand on the doorknob, and Brynn almost slides off my shoulder.

“Damn it,” Tre says.

I open the door and rush inside to find Gwen and Abe staring at us.

“Both people should have to walk in the door to be eligible for the win,” Tre says.

“I could if someone would put me down,” Brynn grumbles.

I lower Brynn’s feet to the floor and drop our bag in front of Gwen and Abe.

“You guys were fast.”Abe nods at both of us.“Impressive, Pierce.We figured this was Tre’s win.”

“It was, if you’d say that Brynn had to walk in on her own.He carried her the last quarter mile.”Tre crosses his arms.

“My feet weren’t exactly on the ground the whole time either.”Tessa glares at her husband and picks up Ryah from Abe, who is sitting on the chair with her.

Tre blows out a breath.

“Looks like it’s all here.You guys are the winners,” Gwen says.

I grab Brynn and hug her.We do a little dance, then Abe clears his throat.We stop and look at him, and he glances above us.

Oh shit.

“Mistletoe for the winners,” Tre says in a fake excited voice.

Tessa shakes her head but doesn’t say anything.

Brynn’s chest rises and falls as she meets my gaze.I glance at the small bunch of greenery with a red ribbon wrapped around it, then back down at Brynn.I give her a questioning look to ask permission, and she nods.

I lower my head, but the closer I get, the more I don’t want to kiss her for the first time again here in front of her family.I want it to only be us, so I detour at the last second and kiss her cheek.

“Lame,” Tre says.“They shouldn’t win because they don’t know how to kiss.”

“Enough, Tre,” Tessa says.

Whatever is in her tone makes me look closer at Brynn.I’m pretty sure it’s disappointment that rests on her beautiful face.

The door opens and Andrew groans, bending over and heaving for breath.“Damn it.”

“Well, thatwasn’tfun.”Kenzie follows him in.“Carter and Faith are in their villa.They quit after about five minutes.”

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