Page 89 of The Mistletoe Makeover

“What?” I gasp. “I didn’t approve that change.”

“Several national TV networks want to publicize this festival and all the changes we’ve made. They’re coming today for some live footage, and they’re going to cover tonight’s events.”

My stomach clenches. I’ve tried to put the auction out of my mind, trying to forget I ever agreed to it, but now my anxiety is soaring.

“I don’t really think we need media coverage about the auction.”

“This is huge,” the mayor says. “We could bring in more money for next year’s festival.”

“But couldn’t they just focus on Jace’s concert instead?”

“They will,” he says, “but the concert is sold out. Cal even sold tickets for tailgating outside the barn since the seating is so limited.”

“Cal Perkins? What does he have to do with this?”

The mayor chuckles. “He owns the barn, Mia. This event is a cash cow for him.”

I had no idea Cal the Creep, the annoying nemesis from my past, was the one who turned the barn into a performance space, but it all makes sense now. It was the Perkins Farm before. His grandparents.

“He struck a deal with Jace about it recently,” the mayor adds.

“He did?” I say, feeling a sting that I didn’t know this before. Why would Jace make a deal with Cal and not tell me? Probably because it was a business transaction and had nothing to do with me. If Jace can sell tickets for fans to sit outside the barn while they tailgate, why wouldn’t he? It’s a win-win for him and Cal.

But if he’s doing business with Cal, that also means he might have known that Cal wanted to bid at the auction. Maybe that’s why Jace was pushing for it. It’s one of those unspoken things in the business world:I’ll scratch your back, if you’ll scratch mine.

If he’s hiding this, what else is he hiding?

“The tailgating tickets are already gone too,” the mayor says. “But we can promote winning a concert ticket through the auction tonight. The TV networks are eating up the town’s new look.”

He seems immensely pleased by this, even though I’m frustrated by the last-minute schedule change.

“Don’t you think we could keep the auction scheduled for tomorrow?” I suggest. “We’ve had this plan in place for weeks...”

“I already told them to change it. Your mom agreed. The town needs the publicity.”

“My mom?” I spin around trying to locate her, but there are too many people. When I turn back, the mayor is gone.

Why does it feel like everyone is happy about this auction, except me? And why is it now that I’ve kissed Jace, I don’t even want to think about going to his concert with anyone else?

* * *

When five p.m. hits, my mother tracks me down and stops when she sees my disheveled appearance.

“What are you still doing here?” she asks, her brow creasing beneath her glasses. “You’re supposed to head home and prepare for the auction tonight.” If she’s thinking about what happened last night, she doesn’t show it.

“In case you’ve forgotten, we opened the Mistletoe Festival today. I’ve had a million things on my plate.”

Her face relaxes into a smile. “Today has been a smashing success! But now you should let the committee take over your job.”

“My jobisthe festival,” I say. “You hired me as the event planner.”

“And you’ve completed that task. Now your job is to look presentable.” She places her hand on my back and scoots me toward the door.

“Actually, my job is to be Jace’s assistant,” I remind her.

“You’re a little more than his assistant, right?” She lifts an eyebrow.

I can see the hope in her eyes—and the unspoken question of whether I’m making a terrible mistake by having a holiday fling... or whatever I’ve gotten myself into.

---