Page 78 of The Mistletoe Makeover

Mia frowns. “I did?”

I give her a look. “Yes, a very special gift. A Christmas singalong with Jace. Anyone have a request?”

The committee members look at each other for a second before I suggest one. “Do you know ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’?”

Judy says, “Except that we don’t have our Santa!”

“Good point.” I grab the Santa hat I stuffed into my guitar case and slide it on. “How’s this for you?” I point to my hat.

A few people chuckle.

“I don’t look like the plastic Santa,” I say, nodding toward Ugly Santa.

“You look better!” someone from the back yells, and everyone laughs.

“Thank you,” I reply, smiling. “I hope I sing better than him, too.”

As I roll into the song, everyone joins in singing. Mia lifts an eyebrow, unsure of where I’m going with this.

After that carol, another person suggests “Jingle Bells,” then“Silent Night,” and“Let it Snow.”

By the time we’re done, the committee is laughing and singing like they’ve totally forgotten about the Ugly Santa dispute.Then they ask me to sign autographs and take selfies.

Mia approaches while I’m putting away my guitar, her arms crossed. “That was impressive. Did you know it would distract them?”

“I hoped it would. It’s the only time that being famous actually works in my favor.”

“If I’d known it was that easy to sway the committee, I would have brought you around a long time ago.”

Jaz carries over the Ugly Santa under her arm. “Jace, thank you for saving us from Ugly Santa. Can we hide this before they return?”

“Let me take care of him,” Mia says, looking at her friend. “You still need to pack.”

“Actually, I decided to stay a few more days,” Jaz says.

“To help with the festival?” Mia asks.

“That... and your brother asked me to,” she says with a shy smile.

Mia frowns. “You’re staying for him? What about me?”

“He wanted to take me to the festival. And we’ll see each other after Christmas, right?”

Mia nods but doesn’t respond, the reality of the holidays without her friends finally sinking in.

“I’ll carry Santa,” I volunteer, taking the plastic figurine from Jaz.

Jaz gives us a quick wave before leaving. As we walk along Main Street, the snow falls lightly, like a softly shaken snow globe swirling around us.

For a long stretch, we’re silent, taking in the lights and the calm before the storm of tourists. “You’re going to miss your friends for Christmas, aren’t you?”

She stops on the street as the snow catches in her lashes. “It’s weird to be the one left behind. Especially at Christmas.”

“Hey, it’s gonna be okay.” I brush some snowflakes from her cheek with my thumb. “Jaz is still your friend, and you’re not alone. I’m here.”

Her eyelids flutter when I touch her, almost like she can feel the electricity between us.

“I’m probably overthinking things because of lack of sleep,” she says. “I need to get through this Christmas festival first.” She pulls out the key to unlock the back door of the empty storefront where we’re housing the decorations.

---