Page 43 of The Mistletoe Makeover

I shake my head. Jace Knight, with his tousled hair and ripped jeans, has another side. What else don’t I know about him?

“Do you ever play piano at your concerts?” I ask, intrigued.

He shakes his head. “My public image is forever tied to a guitar, so I’ve never tried to alter that. It’s kind of a country music staple.”

“Maybe you should.”

“It’ll probably just bring out the haters on social media. I seem to be good at that.”

I lean back in my chair, the warmth of the fire relaxing me. “You’re good at more than that.”

“Name one thing,” he says.

“Arguing with me.”

Jace laughs. “I’m not sure that’s a positive thing.”

“Depends on how you look at it. I enjoy the mental sparring.”

He hesitates for a beat. “Me too.”

Our eyes catch, and his gaze shakes me a little. We’re starting to feel like friends on this trip, but will it be the same when we return? Truthfully, I’m afraid that if Jace sees the real me, he might not like it. Maybe that’s why it’s easier to hide behind petty arguments and quick comebacks than show people who I really am.

Just then, the server arrives with our drinks and fresh bread from the oven, and I’m grateful for her timing. When I get nervous, I talk too much, and that means I’m more likely to say something stupid.

“Do you mind if I ask you a question?” Jace looks at me with a curious expression.

“Be my guest,” I say, taking a sip of water. “I’m an open book.”

“Are you dating anyone?”

I immediately choke on my water, and it almost comes out of my nose. I cough, and Jace looks at me in concern.

“Are you okay?”

I nod, catching my breath. “I didn’t know we were getting personal so quickly.”

“I didn’t think it was thatpersonal. I need to know if your boyfriend is going to be mad at me.”

“For what?” I look at him like he’s insane.

“If you were my girlfriend, I wouldn’t be happy about you staying overnight with another guy.”

“If Ihada boyfriend—which I do not—I would tell him it was that or freeze to death. A matter of survival.” Even if I can’t get it out of my head now.

“So those friends you mentioned in Sully’s Beach,” he says. “You aren’t dating any of them?”

“The only guy who’s still single is Brendan. And no, we don’t see each other like that.”

His eyes drop to his tea as the steam curls into long ribbons. “What I’m trying to say is that I don’t need more bad press...” He hesitates, then glances at me. “I hope you won’t say anything about what happened at the Pine Paradise.”

“Why would I say something?” I assure Jace. “I want this concert to be as much of a success as you do. And I didn’t mean to tell Ava. It was a stupid mistake.”

His shoulders relax, and I realize he’s been worried about me telling everyone that I shared a hotel room with him. To be under public scrutiny is terrible, but even more so when someone betrays you. Maybe the fact that he trusts me a little means we’re making progress.

The waitress comes over and takes our order. I choose a salmon dish I can’t pronounce, while Jace picks filet mignon.

“Can I ask you a question now?” I unfold the cloth around the warm bread and offer him a slice.

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