Page 44 of The Mistletoe Makeover

He plucks it from the basket. “It’s only fair.”

“What’s your family like?” I ask. “I know you said you’re not close.”

“They were helicopter parents before there was such a thing. My parents pushed me into show business when I was a kid, always signing me up for auditions. I’m grateful to be where I am, but they always made me feel like I wasn’t their son. Like they were fulfilling their own dreams through me. And that it was all about money.” He eats his bread and doesn’t say anything else, and I get the feeling he doesn’t want to talk about it.

“The invitation to spend Christmas with my family is always open,” I offer. “They’re slightly dysfunctional, but they make up for it by being highly entertaining. And I balance out the crazy.”

Jace laughs. “Do you think your mom and brothers would care?”

“Care? They’d be thrilled. They’ve already roped me into cooking.”

“You’re staying for the holidays? I thought you hated Christmas?”

“I have a love-hate relationship with the holidays,” I say with a shrug, wondering if he’ll let it go. “Sometimes my mom and I don’t get along.”

“Hate is a strong word.” His eyes stay on me. “Why do you dislike it?”

I set my bread down and wipe off my hands. “My dad left a few days after Christmas when I was a kid. Even though it was a long time ago, I hate that I still connect the holidays with that one event.”

I let the news fall between us into the stony silence.

“I’m sorry about that,” he murmurs, his eyes softening. “No one should leave on Christmas. Or anytime, really. Do you have contact?”

“After he left, we didn’t hear from him for a long time. I always thought that someday, we’d reconnect and I’d finally find out why he left—and we’d make up for lost time. But he never came back. Then last year, Mom got word that he died unexpectedly in a car accident, and I knew I’d never get the answers I needed.” I swirl my straw around, avoiding Jace’s eyes. “Sorry to be such a downer. I didn’t want to mention it.”

“I’m glad you did. Now I finally understand why this Christmas festival means so much to you.”

I lean forward so no one else hears. “You want to hear a secret? I kind ofhatethe Mistletoe Festival.”

“Then why’d you agree to plan it?”

“I thought I could make this year different for some kid who’s had an awful Christmas. And that maybe it would help my family. Isn’t that stupid?”

He leans on the table, hiseyes studying me. “It’s not stupid at all.”

“It feels like an impossible wish. Kind of like those people who only date at Christmas because they feel lonely and think a Christmas romance will fix it.”

Jace smirks. “You know, a couple of the guys in my band are single. I could set you up.”

“Um, no.” I shake my head. “I don’t date when I’m planning a big event. There’s no time. And new relationships are time-sucks.”

“That’s a bad excuse,” he teases. “You’re supposed towantto spend time with people you like.”

I try to avoid the peacock blue of his eyes, but I can’t. When Jace looks at me like this, it makes something inside me come loose. “I’m a terrible girlfriend. Especially when I’m focused on something else. And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m kind of bossy.”

Jace laughs again, making everything spark in my chest.

“That should be your goal,” he says. “Go out more. Get a date for Christmas.”

I don’t know what to say to this.Fat chance? I’d sooner win the lottery?

I break off an enormous piece of bread and slather butter on it. “I’m perfectly happy watching Hallmark movies and living vicariously through them. Plus, I don’t have time for fun or dating.”

“Now who’s the Scrooge?” he says, his lips quirking.

“In case you’ve forgotten, I have a job to do for a big music star. And I want to do it right.”

“You are doing it right,” he says with a grin. “But your Christmas needs more fun.” He smiles, like he knows the effect his dimple has on me.

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