Page 51 of The Mistletoe Makeover

I storm toward my mom’s car and climb into the driver’s seat. “You won’t tease me about what happened with Jace.”

Jaz slides into the passenger seat while Ella climbs in the back.

“I’m curious.” Jaz glances at me. “Does Jace snore?”

“No, he doesn’t.”

“Does he look cute when he sleeps?” Ella asks.

“I’m not answering that.” I turn toward the highway, glancing at Ella in the rearview mirror. “And I wasn’t staring at him like a stalker. I couldn’t even see him.”

“What do you mean you couldn’t see him?” Ella asks.

“He had his arm on me,” I blurt before realizing my mistake.

“Wait.” Jaz frowns. “Why was his arm on you? Unless he was...” Her mouth falls open, and her eyes widen.

I shouldn’t have let that slip.

When I don’t answer, Ella leans forward. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“It wasn’t like that!” I throw my hands in the air, exasperated. “Nothing happened between us. His face was next to my shoulder, his arm across my waist, and I froze. I mean. What would you have done?”

Jaz smiles. “I’d have taken a selfie. Because no one is going to believe this.”

“I don’t want proof,” I insist. “I want to forget it happened.”

“Did it come up afterward?” Ella asks.

“Every time I wanted to, I was too embarrassed to bring it up.”

Jaz shakes her head. “You should’ve taken that selfie.”

“So he could fire me?” I say. “He’s still nursing a broken heart from that very public breakup with Ava. And I don’t want to ruin things before his concert. In person, he actually seems...nice.”

“Nice?” Jaz turns to Ella and they exchange a knowing look.

“What?” I ask.

“You never say that about any guy,” Jaz warns.

“I can’t have feelings for Jace. Why would a music star fall for me?” I take a quick glance at Jaz, who still looks doubtful. “You don’t believe me?”

She sighs. “I’ve been your friend long enough to know how you are.”

“I don’t like him that way.” Even as I say it, my stomach squeezes. I’m getting too caught up in defending Jace because something has definitely changed between us. Jace is charming, but I won’t fall so easily. “Why do you think I haven’t kissed anyone yet? I’m not exactly throwing myself at the first available man. I don’t have time for a relationship, even if he did like me.” Which he doesn’t. We’re too different.

Ella stares out the window as we enter Maplewood’s downtown.

“Welcome to Maplewood!” I say, glancing over my shoulder. Both of the girls look concerned.

“Wait, is this it?” Ella asks.

“I know it doesn’t look great, but think of what it was in its heyday. There’s so much potential!”

Neither of the girls says anything as we pass the empty storefronts and drab downtown. As the silence lengthens, I suddenly realize just how much work this town needs. It doesn’t look like a Christmas town. It looks like a set for a post-apocalyptic movie.

“I thought you said this place was cute?” Jaz asks. “Where are the coffee shops? The boutiques? The bakeries with mouthwatering desserts on display?”

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