Page 1 of Under the Mistletoe

One

Bentley

December 2019

I watched her from the living room couch, my eyes running down the length of her body as her father stood before her, lecturing her and her friends. Honestly, I didn’t see why it was big deal that she wanted to have a party for her birthday. It would just be her and a few friends, but he saw it differently.

Can’t say I blamed him, once I thought about it. Parents away, kids will take advantage, I guess.

I sat there, a double shot of whiskey in my hand, watching the three girls do their best to keep a straight face. If only she knew what her father had been like at her age.

I took a sip of my drink and zoned out, listening to Bruce drone on and on about responsibility.

“That would be okay, wouldn’t it? Bentley?”

“Huh?” I tore my eyes from her and looked up at my best friend. “What would be okay?”

“If Noelle wants to have some time with her friends this weekend for her birthday, would it be okay if she came by Dripping Whiskey for dinner?” he questioned.

Dripping Whiskey was my bar. It was a little local joint located in the heart of the downtown core. I didn’t allow minors in after seven at night. That way my staff wasn’t burdened with asking for ID all the time.

I glanced at Noelle, who was practically begging me with those big cinnamon-coloured eyes of hers. How had I gotten roped into this? I looked at Bruce, who stood there waiting for an answer.

“I guess I could make an exception for one night.” I shrugged, looking back over at Noelle, who sat there with a huge grin on her face.

Fuck, she was gorgeous. It was almost as if overnight she’d gone from being a kid to a knockout.

I quickly erased that thought from my mind. She was way too young for me to be thinking of her that way.

“What do you say?”

“Thanks, Bentley, I appreciate it,” I heard Noelle’s sweet voice say as she smiled in my direction.

Those full, pouty lips, those light-cinnamon eyes would be the death of me one day, I thought as I looked to her father and smiled.

“No problem, Noelle.” I winked.

Noelle

Light snow fell outside, and “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” played over the speakers as my friends lifted their glasses to me in celebration of my sixteenth birthday.

“Happy Birthday, Noelle,” Kelsey and Macy sang, clinking their glasses against mine.

“Thank you,” I replied, smiling, as we each took a sip of our drinks.

Kelsey, Macy, and I had been friends since kindergarten. We were inseparable and always celebrated our birthdays together.

“It’s too bad they wouldn’t let you have a party while they were gone.” Kelsey moaned.

“I know, I agree. Dad was pretty serious before he left. However, it’s nice to be able to be in a grown-up place for once,” I said, looking around at the old bar.

I’d remembered coming here with my parents when Bentley first opened Dripping Whiskey. It still looked the same, still smelled the same. In some ways, it was just like home.

“Yeah, we remember the lecture from your dad,” Macy said, giggling, as she shifted in her seat.

“Girls, you can’t go all crazy,” Kelsey said, trying hard to mimic my father’s voice. “It’s about being responsible.” She waved her finger at each of us.

Macy laughed and then continued where Kelsey left off, each of them focused on finishing each other’s sentences.

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