Page 7 of Under the Mistletoe

“No problem.” His lips curved slightly—a flicker of something that might have been amusement or indifference, but I couldn’t tell which. “I could tell the ol’ man was struggling.”

“Just a bit,” Dad chuckled.

I hadn’t laid eyes on Torch since I left for college, and he was even more handsome than I remember. He was taller with broad shoulders, and he still had those piercing green eyes that always seemed to see right through you—or, in my case, not at all.

His hair was still dark but longer, falling just past his ears, and there was a scruff along his jawline that hadn’t been there before. The boy I once knew was gone, and a strong, confident, beautiful man had taken his place.

I leaned back against the counter, trying to steady my breath as Dad huffed his way through the doorway.

Concerned, Mom called out, “Oh, Mike! Be careful.”

“I got it. I got it.” Dad shook his head, and his voice was strained as he said, “We need to get you some better furniture, Kiddo.”

“My furniture is fine.”

I kept my eyes trained on Torch. I tried to look away, but I just couldn’t stop staring at him. It had been so long. I thought I’d moved on and put all the childhood theatrics behind me, but seeing him now made me realize how wrong I’d been.

They centered it against the main wall in the living room, then Torch lowered his end of the sofa and brushed his hands off on his jeans. He straightened once the sofa was in place, then glanced around at the half-unpacked boxes and bubble wrap. “Nice place.”

I swallowed hard, forcing a nod. “Thanks.”

“It’s been a while.”

“Yeah, it has.”

“Didn’t realize you were moving back.”

“It was a last-minute kind of thing.”

He gave me a nod, and then he turned back to Dad. They spoke for a minute, then Dad slapped him on the back, laughing about something he’d said. I, on the other hand, didn’t laugh. Instead, I stood there, feeling like that teenage girl all over again—helplessly, hopelessly invisible.

I just wanted him to go.

I wanted to forget that I’d even seen his stupid, handsome face, and I thought I was going to get my wish until Ava came barreling down the hall. She ran straight to Dad and screeched, “D’eres a spider in my room!”

“A spider! Oh, man!” Dad reached down and lifted her into his arms. “Need me to come take care of it?”

Ava nodded, and Dad immediately turned to Torch. “Duty calls.”

Dad carried Ava down the hall, and the second they disappeared into her room, Torch turned to me and asked, “Who was that?”

“That was Ava.” I cleared my throat. “My daughter.”

“Your what?”

“My daughter.”I stiffened my back and took a step towards him. “I had her while I was away.”

“You had a kid?” I could see the wheels turning in his head as he added, “Big has a granddaughter?”

“Yes.”

“And her father?”

“He’s not in the picture.” I shrugged. “It’s a long story.”

“I’m sure it is.” His eyes narrowed. “How come none of us have heard it?”

“I asked my folks not to say anything.” I shrugged. “He didn’t like it, but Dad only told those he thought should know and no one else.”

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