Page 112 of The Mistletoe Makeover

“Are you sure?” I ask. “What if you tire of me?”

He shakes his head like this is a dumb question. “I could never tire of you.”

“You haven’t been on the road with me yet.”

“Then let’s test my theory,” he says, pulling me closer. He smiles, and my heart feels like it’s glowing as bright as the white lights above us.

He reaches into his pocket and hands me a tiny rectangular box. “For you.”

“We’re exchanging giftsnow? But I thought...”

“I’m not good at waiting,” he interrupts, holding it out. “And since you’ll be with your family tomorrow morning...”

I stop him before he can go on. “You’re coming over, right?”

He shakes his head. “This is your time with family. I don’t want to interfere.”

I level my gaze at him. “You’renotspending Christmas alone. My mom is already expecting you.”

“She is?”

“She told me, ‘Make sure Jace knows we’re opening presents at eight sharp.’ I meant what I said about my family welcoming you. Maybe we have our faults, but I’m adamant that no one should be alone on Christmas. As your assistant, I insist.”

With a heated gaze, he cups the back of my neck and tilts my face to his. “You’re more than an assistant to me. You’re the woman I love.”

I can’t help but smile. “That’s an even better reason to come over on Christmas.”

His mouth curls on one side, making his dimple show. “In that case, I’ll do it if you’ll open your gift.”

I sigh, giving in to his demands and open the lid. Inside is a gold circular necklace that shimmers in the light.

Jace looks at me expectantly. “When I woke up beside you at the Pine Paradise, I knew that’s what I wanted—someone who would stay with me, no matter what. Being there with you changed everything. After that, I didn’t want to ever leave you.”

I hold the necklace closer and discover words engraved along the curved rim of the circle:He dared her to be happy.

And I complete it without thinking.And she dared to fall for him.

“Jace, you are the only one who could make me this happy.” I hold up the gold necklace so that it shimmers in the light. “Will you do the honors?” I ask and he takes the necklace.

When he finishes adjusting the clasp, he kisses the side of my neck, sending warm shivers down my body.

“Do you think my family will notice if we sneak away for a few minutes? Your gift is downtown.”

A burst of laughter echoes inside the house, and Jace shrugs. “No, I don’t think they’ll even notice.”

We climb inside Jace’s car and head to Maplewood, parking along Main Street under the glow of Christmas lights. Even though the festival is done, all the decorations are still up, and the street is a frosty, silent Christmas village tucked away in the snow. Not a single car passes us as I grab Jace’s hand and take him to our destination.

Maybe it was a silly idea, but I promised him something and never followed through on it. I only hope the committee hasn’t taken down my surprise.

When we reach the top of the hill, I spy the wooden pergola draped in evergreen and lights, overlooking the entire town.

I stop and turn to Jace, grabbing both of his hands, leading him to the mistletoe booth.

“Remember when that reporter wanted a picture, but I refused to kiss you here? At the time, I was too embarrassed, afraid you’d see how I felt right away. But I didn’t forget the promise I made to you. And I was hoping I would get a second chance.”

His mouth curls into an adorable grin. “I thought you hated mistletoe?”

“I might be persuaded to change my mind.”

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