Page 47 of The Mistletoe Makeover

“So was kissing a long time ago, too?”

Her eyes drop to her fork as she picks at her salmon. “I’ve never been kissed.”

I drop my fork on my plate, and the clanging echoes across the room. “Never?”

Mia freezes, then glances around. “Could you keep it down? People are staring.”

“I’m sorry. I was just surprised,” I whisper. “I’ve never met a girl who hasn’t been kissed.”

She tilts her head. “You’re making me feel like a freak.”

“You gotta admit, it is unusual.”

She shakes her head. “That is not helping.”

“So, this whole pretend dating scenario right now is a real stretch, huh? Because you don’t throw yourself at anyone.”

“Only you, apparently. And I’m the worst actress.”

I stop eating and stare at Mia. “You weren’t terrible. Ava totally bought it.” And I did too.

“We need to figure out how to keep up the act when we leave,” she says.

“Let me take care of it,” I insist. I hadn’t realized how much of a sacrifice this has been for her. She wasn’t trying to make me feel awkward. She was saving me from the humiliation of facing my ex.

She frowns. “Does that mean we’re going to run out of here as fast as possible?”

I shake my head. “Not if I can help it. Just follow my lead.”

An expression passes over her face that I can’t read. I’m not sure if she’s terrified of what I’m suggesting or revolted by it, but she’s willing to go along with the plan.

After finishing our meal and paying our bill, I glance over at Ava who’s shoving a shrimp appetizer in Benedict’s mouth. Their flirting makes my stomach turn. “Are you ready to go?”

Mia nods. Maybe it’s my nerves, but knowing how Mia’s touch caused my body to react last time makes me wonder if I’m going to internally combust on my way out the door.

And the worst part is that I have to pretend I’m not reacting, which is so exhausting.

I hold out my hand. She glances at it, like she’s considering whether this is a good idea.

“It’s okay, Mia. I promise I don’t bite.”

When she takes my hand, it’s so warm and soft and distracting, I forget my nerves. All I can think about are the fireworks going off in my body.

From the corner of my eye, Ava’s gaze is on us the entire way out.

“Is it working?” Mia whispers as we head into the foyer.

I don’t even bother looking back to see if Ava is watching.

“Just in case, we should keep this up until we leave Evergreen.”

* * *

When we finally reach my car and escape to the privacy of the back roads, Mia finally pulls her hand from mine. For the first time since we saw Ava, we can relax because there’s no chance we’ll run into them anymore.

“What did you think of Evergreen?” Mia asks. “I want the truth. And pretend you didn’t see your ex there.”

“That definitely colors things. But it wasn’t as cheesy as I thought,” I add, not wanting to admit how much I liked it. “The food was amazing. It makes me wonder if Maplewood can pull off something similar.”

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