Page 45 of The Mistletoe Makeover

Is he flirting with me? I feel like he’s flirting.

Or maybe I’m just delirious.

“What if we both have more fun at Christmas...” he suggests. “We’ve both had a bad year, so why not try to change that?”

I frown, not understanding. “It doesn’t work that way. It’s not a contract you make with yourself. Sometimes, life just sucks and there’s nothing fun about it.”

“That’s one way of looking at it. All I’m encouraging you to do is chase the fun. It doesn’t have to be dating.”

I laugh and shake my head. “I’m pretty lame if I need you to help me with that.”

“Well, if you’re lame, then I am too.”

“I doubt that.” I break off another piece of bread. “I don’t see the point when I’m already so busy.”

He studies me for a second. “What are you scared of?”

“What? I’m not scared. Why would I be afraid? That’s ridiculous.”

Jace shrugs. “Because if you try to search for happiness and you don’t find it, you’re afraid of what that might mean.”

I crinkle my nose. “I’m not afraid to be happy.”

He levels his gaze at me. “Then I dare you to try.”

The way he’s looking at me with those ocean-blue eyes makes me almost feel like I could. But how can I believe things will be different this holiday? Everyone is counting on me. Mom. The Mistletoe Festival committee. Jace. The entire town of Maplewood. I can’t let them down. There’s no time to consider my happiness when I have everything else to take care of.

“Happiness is a luxury for people whose lives are going right.”

“No.” Jace shakes his head, his jaw set. “You deserve it.”

The way he pins me down with a look makes me want to agree to anything. I’m willing to take this happiness dare and fall headlong into it. I’ve let the weight of my past become a slow drag on my life for far too long.

I play with my straw, making endless circles in my water. “I’ll try,” I finally say.What do I have to lose?“At least until the holidays are over.”

He gives me another lopsided smile. Then he holds up his glass, offering a toast. We clink cups to our new agreement, finally unified on one thing. “Here’s to our happiness.”

“And chasing the fun,” I add. “No matter how impossible it is.”

As soon as I say those words, I feel like I’ve erased my chances. You can’t find happiness just by making a deal with someone.

And now I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Jace’s eyes flick over my shoulder, his dimple disappears, and a deep crease forms between his brows.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

I wheel around in my chair, and my breath catches when I realize what he’s staring at.

Ava and Benedict have just walked into the restaurant.

TWELVE

Jace

“Don’t panic,” Mia says, even though she’s clearly panicking. “What’ll we do?” She swivels around to me, her face pleading for an answer.

“Why are you looking at me? How should I know?”

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