Page 26 of The Mistletoe Makeover

“Okay, wise guy.I’ll admit, I shouldn’t have worn the boots. And if I’d listened to you, we’d be home, instead of stuck in a creepy motel where stranded travelers get murdered.”

“We are not getting murdered,” he says. “You’re lucky Edith only had one room. If we’re together, I can protect you.”

“If we don’t kill each other first.” Like he would protect me. If an axe murderer barges in, he’ll probably push me toward him.

“We can survive one night,” Jace says. “I’m even willing to stop complaining about going to Evergreen.”

I frown at him, trying to figure out what’s the catch. “Did Edith put a spell on you?”

“Nope,” he says. “I figure if we’re stuck here, might as well make the most of it. You want to head outside so you can pelt me with snowballs?”

I look over at him like he’s crazy. “Tempting, but no.”

“Why? You scared?” His eyes flicker in mischief. I don’t know what happened to grumpy Jace, but suddenly, it seems like he’s trying to make the best out of an unpleasant situation.

“Jace, this is a snowstorm,” I remind him. “And I just started to feel my toes again.”

“I’m only going to the parking lot. It’s two steps from the door. This is your last chance to take out your frustration. Unless you’re chicken...” He pauses, giving me a smile that’s infuriating, then heads outside, leaving the door hanging open.

“Jace,” I call after him. “The door!”

When he doesn’t return, I walk over to shut the door and that’s when it happens. A cold, wet snowball smacks me in the shoulder and disintegrates on my sweater.

If there wasn’t smoke curling from my nostrils before, there is now.

“Hey!” I yell. “I said I’m not playing.”

From ten feet away, Jace is smiling at me in triumph, while forming another snowball. “Just in case you’re wondering, it feels fantastic to hit you.”

I lift an eyebrow, daring him to do it again. “Oh, really? You wanna play dirty? I’ll show you.” I slide on my boots, not caring if my feet are still hurting. All I want is sweet revenge. Music star or not, nailing him in the head will beso satisfying.

As I step outside, I spot Jace across the parking lot.

“What are the rules for playing dirty?” Jace asks, mischief playing across his lips.

“First rule: you can’t hit someone when they’re inside.” I bend over to gather some snow in my hands. A snowball smacks me dangerously close to my butt.

I growl, “And you can’t hit me when I’m bending over.”

“Too late,” he says and then laughs.

I toss a snowball at him that barely grazes his shoulder.

“Missed me, missed me,” he mocks without finishing,now you’ve gotta kiss me.

Jace is definitely not kissing anything but my snowball.

“I don’t want to play with a cheater,” I taunt.

“Then why’d you come out here?” I look around. Everyone is holed up in their rooms because of the storm. The parking lot is ours for a showdown.

“Because you left the door open.”

“Excuses,” he says, throwing another snowball my way.

This time, I jump before it hits me. The wind whips my hair around my face, and my sweater is clinging where it’s wet from snow. That’s when I realize I forgot my coat inside. Probably because I was so mad at Jace for hitting me first.

“I don’t want to get wet,” I complain. I scoop up another handful of snow, packing it into a ball.

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