Page 88 of The Mistletoe Makeover

I push my body toward him without notice, causing him to step backwards and catch himself on the railing.

Suddenly, Jace’s hand slides up to my other cheek, and he pulls away, holding me back before I realize it’s over.

Jace’s face flinches slightly, like it’s taking some effort to stop himself.

“We probably should go,” he says, his voice thick.

“Oh, I didn’t mean to...”Kiss you so hard I almost knocked you over.Because I absolutely meant to.

I shove my fingers in my pockets, humiliated that I let myself get out of hand like this. I’m usually so responsible and controlled. Not the type who falls apart.

But Jace has that effect on me.

His crease deepens as he looks out over the town.

Did he think I was terrible? Is he mad at me?

“Jace?” I look away, unable to face him. With just one kiss, I crumbled like a tower of blocks. I need to make sure things are still good between us, or I’ll never be able to look him in the face again. “I think, for a first kiss, that was pretty good.”

Jace lets out a low laugh and leans against the railing, our arms brushing as we take in the lights one last time. He glances over at me, his eyes glittering, his mouth hitching into that dimpled smile. “I think that was pretty good, too.”

Even though I’ve tried to hide my feelings, every time Jace looks at me like that, everything comes undone.

TWENTY-ONE

Mia

Ican feel the energy as soon as I step out of my car, and it’s not because of last night’s kiss. After yesterday’s tree lighting, the town is buzzing with anxious anticipation for this morning’s grand opening of the Maplewood Mistletoe Festival.

I stroll by the outdoor Christmas market, where vendors unpack sugar-laden treats and fill tables with handmade gifts. Evergreen decorations and twinkle lights adorn every building, and there’s more mistletoe than I’ve ever seen in my life. If we weren’t the kissing capital of Christmas before, we are now.

“Mia!” Jaz calls from the storage room where Jace and I almost had our first kiss. I’m still replaying that rooftop kiss from last night, Jace’s smell lingering in my memory, the way his hair felt threading through my fingers.

“You look bright and cheerful this morning,” I say, looking my friend over. Jaz is sporting her pink fur again.

“And you look... sleep deprived,” she says, her brow furrowing.

“I am sleep deprived.” I tug at the hat Jace bought me in Evergreen, which doesn’t hide the obvious bags under my eyes. “I was going over all the festival details until three in the morning.” She doesn’t have to know how late I was out with Jace. Since he’s flying to Nashville with Allan to meet with record executives and won’t be back until tomorrow, it means I’ll have the house to myself. A twinge of loneliness twists inside me.

I sip the cappuccino Jace made me with his expensive espresso machine. It’s like he’s enjoying spoiling me, and I don’t mind the attention, even if it is temporary.

“Well, everyone is looking for you,” Jaz says. “Mayor Jenkins is worried about the parking situation for tonight. A committee member told me at least three tables didn’t show up.”

I rub my forehead. “How about I talk to the mayor and you track down tables? Beg, borrow, or steal, if you have to.”

“Got it,” she says, turning away before swinging back to me. “Oh, and your mom is looking for you.”

I nearly choke on my coffee. “Did she say why?”

Jaz shakes her head. “Something to do with Jace, I think.”

The one thing I don’t want to talk about.

When I walk outside to look for Mom, I’m swarmed by people. One volunteer needs emergency tape. A shop owner complains his Christmas lights stopped working. Someone wants another table for her pies, even though I’ve explained there are no tables left.

My to-do list piles up like mail to Santa, leaving my head aching after a few hours of solving everyone’s problems.

Just as I’m rushing through the warehouse searching for another strand of lights, someone grabs my arm. It’s the mayor, looking frazzled. “Mia, did you hear the news? We’re changing the schedule for this week. The fundraising auction is now right after the children’s choir performance tonight.”

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