Page 10 of The Mistletoe Makeover

Cora’s eyes skirt somewhere over my shoulder as her brow creases. “My daughter, Mia, should be here any minute,” she says, a slight tone of worry in her voice.

Yes, we’ve met,I want to say, but I’m afraid it will come out as a sneer. And I’m saving the surprise.

“Is Mr. French coming?” she asks, wringing her hands as she motions for me to sit at the head of the table. Everyone follows my lead as I take a seat.

“He’s stuck in Charlotte,” I explain. “But after you hear what I have to say, it’s probably unnecessary for him to attend.”

“What do you mean?” Cora says, folding her hands in that way women do to prepare themselves for unpleasant news.

“I don’t want to waste your time, but I’ve decided...”

The door flies open. “Sorry I’m late!” Mia rushes into the room, hurrying past me.

She’s now wearing a fitted, black dress and boots, her strawberry-blonde hair neatly curled into long waves. It’s classy in an understated way, and so different from the girl at the airport who wore an oversized sweatshirt and faded jeans.

She doesn’t even notice me as she strides in. She drops her laptop bag on the table with a thud. “Sorry to keep you all waiting. My plane was late, and I barely had enough time to change. Has he arrived yet?”

Cora’s face freezes into a strained smile as she nods toward me.

“What?” Mia asks, cluelessly glancing around.

“The plane wasn’t a problem for me,” I say, leaning back in my chair, putting my hands behind my head.

Mia spins around, a look of disbelief, then horror flashing across her face.

“You’re...” Her voice drops, and her face drains at the realization of our previous meeting finally sinking in. “Mr. Smolder,” she whispers.

“Jace Knight,” I say with a smug grin.

I was right.Her expression is priceless.

FOUR

Jace

Cora places her hand on her daughter’s back. “Mia, I’d like you to meet our local celebrity.”

Mia blinks, trying to process this news as her cheeks flame. “Jace Knight,” she repeats in a strained voice.

I feel sorry for her.Almost.

“It’s good toofficiallymeet you.” I hold out my hand, not saying a word about our previous introduction.

She limply shakes it, staring as her brow creases.

“Did you have a pleasant flight?” I ask.

“I did,” she says weakly. Judging by how long she’s been holding that frown, she’s still trying to figure out if I’m going to say anything about our previous interaction. I’m not the type to plot revenge, even if it was thoroughly satisfying to see her face when she realized who I was.

She swallows hard, then says, “Did you?”

“A few pushy passengers,” I add, pinning my gaze on her. “But when I stretched out in first class for a nap, I forgot all about them.”

She clamps her lips together and looks down at the floor, and I notice red splotches creeping up her neck.

Cora claps her hands. “Let’s begin, shall we?” She shuffles some papers as Mia sits next to her. “Mr. Knight, we’re here to talk about a possible concert on the last night of the Mistletoe Festival.”

I clear my throat. “That’s why I came.” My eyes slide over to Mia, who glances down at the table, clearly still avoiding me. There’s no point in delaying this any longer. “I appreciate how welcoming the town has been.”

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