Page 116 of The Mistletoe Makeover

“I’ve trained you well, young Jedi,” I reply before we launch into the first verse.

We sing through all twelve verses with Jace taking the extra verse since he’s the only decent singer. Vale throws popcorn across the table during my part, and by the time we finish, we all raise our glasses.

“AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE!” It’s off-key and horrendously loud, but nobody cares. We’re too busy laughing.

Brax stands and sets his goblet on the table. “I think after that lovely number, we need a pre-wedding hockey match. Who’s up for one?”

“No!” all the girls shout in unison, because the last thing we want are limping groomsmen tomorrow.

I point at my twin brothers. “I will not have my wedding canceled because my future husband injured himself playing against you two.”

“I promise to take it easy,” Vale says. “We’ll just shoot around. No fighting or rough playing.”

With that promise, Grant, Jack, and Brendan scramble to the closet to find skates while the girls circle up in the kitchen, digging into the lemon meringue pie and mixing more cranberry mule drinks. We talk about how Ella’s design business is flourishing, while Maeve shows off pictures of her kids, who are adorably cute.

Only later do I look around and realize that Jace has disappeared without me noticing. I peek outside to see if he’s watching the guys play hockey, but he’s not there either. With our wedding tomorrow, I’m sure he has last-minute preparations to take care of, but when I stop at the bottom of the stairs, a gold wrapper flashes in the light.

“Did someone drop this?” I say to no one in particular, as I bend down and pick up a mini Reese’s Cup off the floor.

All the girls stop and look at me.

“What is it?” I ask, confused by the way they’re staring, like I’m the only one who doesn’t get the inside joke.

Mom approaches and takes my elbow, turning me toward the stairs. “I think all the Reese’s Cups are yours.”

“They’re not mine...” My voice fades as I follow her gaze. Reese’s Cups line the steps, an obvious candy trail leading upstairs.

I pick up the candy, tucking them into my pockets before realizing they stop at my bedroom door, the same room that once forced me into Jace’s home because it was flooded.

The door is almost closed, and when I push it open, Jace is sitting on my old twin bed, waiting for me with a sheepish look on his face.

The candy leads right to him.

“What is this about?” I ask with a smile, holding up a chocolate.

“I see you found the candy trail.”

“If you wanted to get me alone, you could have just told me.” I sink onto the bed next to him.

“Remember when you said I don’t do things in a small way?” His dimple deepens, and there goes my heart again.

“I like that about you.”

“I’m glad you have a thing for Reese’s Cups,” he adds with a smirk.

“And you,” I add, and his gaze heats.

“Tomorrow can’t come soon enough,” he says. “The candy is a peace offering.”

“For what?” I say, frowning.

“That I wasn’t more understanding. You needed to spend time with your friends before we left on our honeymoon.”

I shake my head. “That’s why Mom threw this big party tonight.”

“I know, but I was selfish. I wanted to travel to Italy as soon as possible after the reception.” He nuzzles his face close to my ear and it sends little sparks down my body.

“You don’t have to apologize for that,” I say softly.

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