Page 3 of Under the Mistletoe

“Thank you,” I said, grabbing one and taking a bite. As always, it was the perfect amount of salt on them as well. “They are perfect,” I said, smiling up at him.

“Alright, you girls go back to it, and when you are finished with dinner, there is a chocolate fudge cake in the back with your name on it,” he said, winking at me.

“Thank you.” I smiled. It was always like Dorian to make sure I felt special on my birthday. I couldn’t remember a birthday that he hadn’t done something special for me.

The moment he left the table, Kelsey and Macy took one look at me and giggled.

“She’s got it bad,” Macy said, bursting into a full-on fit of laughter, and Kelsey joined her.

I just shook my head, stuck a fry into my mouth, and went about fixing up my burger, ignoring my giggling friends.

It was almost ten by the time we’d finished dessert. Bentley had brought out that chocolate cake with a sparkler on top and even sat down beside me and had a piece with us. Shortly after that, we played a game of pool, and then we got our coats on and were just about to leave when I saw Bentley out of the corner of my eye. He was standing in the doorway that led up to his small apartment above the bar, overlooking the crowd.

“Girls, I’ll be right back,” I said, leaving them both standing at the door, and made my way over to the other side of the bar where Bentley stood.

“What is it, Noelle?” Bentley questioned. “If you are looking for the bill, it’s on me. Can’t have the birthday girl paying for her own dinner.”

I felt my cheeks heat. “I just wanted to thank you for tonight.”

“What for?” he questioned.

“For letting us hang out here. I know you have strict rules about age in here.”

“Ah, no big deal, Noelle. Anything for you.” He winked.

Again, I felt my cheeks heat at his words. Curiosity got the better of me when he glanced up at the top of the doorframe. I looked up to see a sprig of mistletoe hanging.

“Looks like you’re stuck under the kissing door.” He chuckled.

I’d heard my mom and dad talk about that. I’d always wondered what they meant by it but had been too afraid to ask when I was younger.

Bentley leaned in and placed a kiss on my cheek before pulling me in for a hug.

“Happiest of birthdays, Noelle. Hope you aren’t too old for that now.” He chuckled.

There wasn’t a time I could remember Bentley not being in my life. It was only recently I’d developed a crush on him, and right at this moment, looking into his eyes as he pulled away from placing that birthday kiss on my cheek, I secretly wondered if one day I’d ever be able to have a chance with him.

Two

Bentley

5 Years Later - December 2024

It was almost midnight. The bar was much quieter now than it had been earlier, but considering the turn in the weather tonight, it didn’t surprise me. At one point, the bar had been empty, but a few stragglers had come in to get off the roads. It still looked like I might get to close early. I’d already sent home most of the staff, aside from a couple in the kitchen. Christmas music played on the stereo, and loud laughter came from the back corner of the tavern where two couples were playing a game of pool.

“Can I get another whiskey?” Paul, one of my regulars, asked.

“Sure thing,” I said, reaching for the bottle of Jack, pouring not only one but two drinks. It felt cold in here, although I’d turned up the heat, so I figured this might help take the edge off.

Passing him his, I held up my glass to him, silently thanking him for his patronage this year. We both drank the drink down, and I quickly poured him another.

The front door opened, sending a waft of cold air into the bar, then banged shut. I looked over to see a woman standing just inside the door. It was hard to see who it was, so I grabbed the bar towel and quickly wiped down the bar, watching as she took a step inside. A pair of sexy legs in black high-heeled boots were the only thing I noticed, until her face came into the light.

I almost had to do a double take, and I swallowed hard when I realized it was Noelle Murphy standing in my bar. She removed her black coat and hung it on the coat rack, before she approached the bar.

My eyes ran down the length of her body as I placed the glass that had held my whiskey down on the counter. My mouth watered as I took in the tight black dress that hugged her body and those boots that showed off every part of her perfectly shaped long legs.

What was she doing here, I wondered just as she sat down and smiled at me as she crossed those beautiful legs over one another.

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