Page 85 of The Mistletoe Makeover

Until now, I hadn’t been paying attention to where we were heading, but as soon as I see the mistletoe booth, I stop.

I frown. “Here?”

Jace turns to me. “She said she wanted to feature the new mistletoe booth. I thought you wouldn’t mind, since this was your genius.”

“I know, but...”It also means we’ll be under the mistletoe.Does he realize what this means? This is why I hate mistletoe.As much as I want to finish what we started, I don’t want to do it here.In front of everyone.It only brings back memories of Cal the Creep.

I pull my hand from his and shove it into my coat pocket.

Jace notices my hesitation. “It was the reporter’s suggestion. But there’s no requirement to...you know.”

“Actually, there is. It’s an unspoken requirement of the festival. If you get caught with someone under the mistletoe, then youhaveto kiss them. That’s why I hate mistletoe. It’s forced PDA.”

Jace looks at me. “Seriously?” Then he shakes his head. “But they can’t enforce it.”

“No, but people usually keep the tradition. And not kissing isn’t an option.”

I want to kiss Jace under the mistletoe. But the thought of being forced to just doesn’t feel right. Especially given my history.

“Well, we don’t have to if it makes you uncomfortable. We make the rules here. I’ll tell the reporter to meet us somewhere else.” He pulls out his phone to send her a message.

“Thanks,” I murmur. “Oh, and, Jace...”

He looks up from his phone. “It’s not that I don’t want to...” I shift, trying to figure out how to explain myself.

“Mia, it’s okay to say no. I won’t take it personally.” Then he smiles.

The fact that he’s so aware of my feelings makes me like him even more. Maybe this is just a PR stunt, but he won’t force me into something I don’t want to do.

After what feels like a hopeless search for the perfect picture spot with no crowds, the reporter mentions she has access to the lobby of the old theater. When we arrive, she unlocks the door, and we dash inside the gigantic lobby where there’s a Christmas tree decorated with excessive amounts of tinsel. It’s the perfect spot for a quick shoot where no one will bother us.

As we stand next to each other, the reporter frowns. “Could you move together?”

I take a step closer to Jace, and our shoulders brush, making me aware of how close we are. I shiver, and Jace takes my hand.

“Your fingers are still freezing.” He rubs them between his palms. “Does that help?”

I nod, trying to ignore the little sparks he ignites every time he touches me. It’s so unfair how easily he can make me light up.

We take a few pictures before the reporter gets a text on her phone. “I need to run. There’s an accident on the corner of Forest Street and Pine Hill. No one’s hurt, but I might need to interview a few people. Could you shut the door behind you when you leave? It will lock automatically. Thanks so much!” Then she hurries out, leaving us alone.

As soon as she’s gone, Jace spins around, checking out the old lobby with its giant chandelier and impressive woodwork. “They don’t make them like this anymore. We should check this place out while we have the chance.”

“Is this legal?” I ask, jokingly. “We’re not supposed to be in here when it’s closed.”

“Of course it’s legal. She told us to shut the door. She didn’t say we couldn’t explore.” He dashes to the door of the theater and swings it open. A dark, cavernous space opens up.

“Is this where the fundraiser auction is going to be held?” he asks, standing in the doorway.

I peer inside at the empty stage. “Yes,” I say, my stomach feeling sick at the reminder. “Unlike you, I hate to be in front of people.”

“It always helps me to spend time in a theater before an event,” Jace says. “Empty theaters are my favorite. They calm me down.”

Right now, I can’t imagine feeling calm. Standing this close to Jace puts all my senses on edge.

Jace looks around at the rows of chairs. “I bet we could get to the roof pretty easily. And the view will be worth it. I just need to find the staircase.”

I gape at him. “We shouldn’t be sneaking around here.”

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