Page 81 of Just Add Mistletoe

“Really.”

He drew her flush against him, lifting her off the ground as he kissed her. She was definitely melting now. Deep down, she’d never feel so connected to any other person besides him.

They only broke apart because of the sounds of his parents’ footsteps from the hallway.

Lori straightened her mistletoe headband. Surely, her cheeks were Christmas red when she turned to face Malcom’s parents.

His mom’s smile seemed genuine though, and she wore the turquoise jewelry set.

“That looks lovely on you,” Lori told her.

She beamed. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate the gift.”

Malcom moved his hand along Lori’s back. “Everyone ready?” he asked.

“Let’s go,” his mom said.

Lori crossed to his dad and linked arms. “I need to warn you, your son’s kind of a big deal around here. People will want to ask you all kinds of questions.”

“Oh?” Mr. Graves said. “I think I could manage that.”

They filed out of the house, and as Malcom shut and locked the front door, his mom paused with him on the porch. “I like her,” she said simply.

Lori wasn’t sure if she was meant to overhear, but she felt a bubble of giddiness move through her.

“She has a generous heart,” Malcom’s mom continued. “And I’m not talking about the gift. You’re different around her. There’s a light in your eyes when you look at her—something I’ve never seen with anyone else.”

Lori knew his dad was listening too, because he squeezed her arm.

“I should have put more trust in your decisions all along,” Mrs. Graves added. “Thanks for being patient with me.”

Lori guessed it was probably the most sincere and real thing Malcom had ever heard his mom say. As for Lori, her heart had just expanded three times. Yeah, things in Malcom’s family were definitely complicated. But maybe it was possible for everyone to move past all the betrayals and find a new sense of peace.

By the time Malcom joined them at the truck, Lori was settled in the front seat. “They insisted,” she said with a laugh. “And your parents can be pretty persistent.”

He only smiled and reached for her hand, then proceeded to back the truck out of the driveway with one hand. Easy.

When they parked at the store, it was already bustling with setup. Marci was there, directing everyone to their places.

Malcom introduced his parents to those he knew, and Lori took over the rest. During the next couple of hours, all of her friends showed up, and she observed his parents chatting to plenty of townspeople. She had situated them at one of the tables with some padded chairs, next to a space heater. With the shop door opening and closing so much, the temperature remained brisk.

Each time his mom laughed, Lori smiled to herself, her confidence growing. They’d won over the woman. Who knew it would be as simple as bringing her to Everly Falls? Right now, she was chatting with Lydia, who’d done a full one-eighty in her opinion of the condo project—which now seemed to be paying off big—and Malcom.

Apparently finished with his judging of the hot chocolate, Malcom now chatted easily with the townspeople as well, although mostly Austin and Cal, who’d come with Everly and Brandy. All the guys were good-looking in their own way, but there was something special about Malcom.Herman. She liked the sound of that. And he’d told her he loved her. Another round of giddy bubbles floated through her. He’d told hisparents,and then he’d told her. Was it possible to feel so happy, so content?

She loved that he’d made solid friends, and she loved that he’d put his heart and soul into the condo project—making things right.

“Hey,” Lori said, sliding her hand into his. He turned to look at her, linking their fingers as he smiled. She had the urge to kiss him, right then and there, in front of half the town. “Looks like your parents are enjoying themselves.”

Malcom drew her closer. “They are. I don’t think I’ve seen my parents enjoy an event together this much. Of course, I haven’t seen them together much since I was a kid.”

He released her hand and draped an arm about her shoulders. She leaned into him and wrapped her arm around hiswaist. “I’m glad they’re having fun.” She tilted her head up to find him gazing at her.

“Is there some mistletoe in the hallway over there?”

She glanced where he’d indicated. The hallway split off to the storage room, and beyond was the door that led to her apartment. “I don’t think so.”

“What?” He touched one of her ornament earrings, making it bob. “You have mistletoe all over the house, even on your headband, yet you only have . . .” He craned his neck to look around. “One sprig by the front door.”

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