Page 98 of The Mistletoe Makeover

Mom frowns, holding a box of spaghetti. “Is something wrong? I thought you and Jace looked so happy the other night.”

“Unfortunately, you’re mistaken,” I say quickly.

“Oh,” Mom says quietly. “Well, that might be a problem.”

I swivel toward her. “Why?”

“Another newspaper reporter wants to talk to you.”

I stare at Mom, suddenly concerned. “What did you tell them?”

“I didn’t tell them anything...specific,” she says carefully, but the way her eyes dart away makes me suspect something.

“You didn’t say anything about Jace and me, right?” I shake my head slowly. “Please tell me you replied withno comment.”

“I didn’t say you are dating,” she says defensively.

“But did you imply we are?”

Mom bites her lip. She doesn’t have to. Her face tells me everything I need to know.

“No, no, no, noooooo,” I groan, dropping my head into my hands. I knew our PR stunt was a risky idea, but I didn’t think my family would make it worse.

“What?” Mom exclaims. “Aren’t you together?”

I lift one shoulder and drop it. “I’m not exactly sure what we are.”

I know what I want. But it isn’t even realistic to dream about being Jace’s girlfriend.

“If you don’t know, then why were you...” She can’t even say it.

I roll my eyes, frustrated that this is growing more complicated. “Do you have to ask so many questions?” I shove my computer into my backpack. “I was stupid, okay? I thought there could be something more. But I was wrong.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me before?” she asks, propping a hand on her hip.

“I don’t know. I was embarrassed? Humiliated? Feeling like a total loser because I had to return home?”

“You arenota loser,” she says firmly. “Look what you did for this town. You brought it back to life.”

“But that’s just it. I didn’t change Christmasfor us.”

“What do you mean?” Mom asks frowning.

“Never mind,” I mumble, heading toward the door.

“At least meet with the reporter today. Say something nice about the festival... for Maplewood.”

I stop mid-stride and stare at my mom. “Don’t you understand that I’ve already done everything for Maplewood? I gave up my Christmas for this. I was trying to make this year different for our family. Forme.But I realize I can’t.”

I bolt toward the door, suddenly feeling constricted by all the memories here. I can’t keep reliving the past.

“One last thing,” I say, turning to face her. “Please stop trying to orchestrate my life. No matter how much you think I need someone, I don’t. I won’t make the same mistake you did...”Even though I probably already have.

Like mother, like daughter.

Mom’s mouth drops, like she wants to say something, but can’t fix things between us.

There’s too much that’s already gone wrong.

---