Page 27 of Falling for Santa

As they approached the checkout, the festive decorations continued overhead, and Scott’s gaze caught on a sprig of mistletoe dangling above them. His grin turned mischievous as he tilted his head upward.

“Uh-oh,” he said, stopping in his tracks.

Megan frowned, following his gaze. “What?”

“Looks like we’re standing under mistletoe,” Scott said lightly, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. “And I’m pretty sure it’s store policy to follow tradition.”

Megan’s cheeks flushed, and she laughed nervously. “I don’t think that’s a rule.”

Scott shrugged, his expression open and teasing. “Maybe not, but it’s bad luck to ignore it, isn’t it?”

Megan looked up at him, her eyes wide and her lips parting slightly as the humor in the moment gave way to something else. The air between them shifted, growing warmer and quieter, the noise of the store fading into the background.

Scott leaned in slightly, his movements unhurried and careful, giving her plenty of time to pull away if she wanted. Hisgaze met hers, steady and sincere, his lips curving into a faint smile.

For a moment, Megan stayed rooted in place, her breath catching as the space between them seemed to shrink. But just as the tension built, she stepped back abruptly, breaking the moment.

“I—uh—I should get going,” she said quickly, her voice tight as she reached for her bags.

Scott straightened, stepping back to give her space, though his own chest tightened at her retreat. “No pressure,” he said gently, his smile soft. “I’m just glad I ran into you tonight.”

Megan paused, her expression conflicted before she offered him a faint smile. “Okay.”

She turned and hurried toward the door, her pace brisk as though she were escaping something she couldn’t quite name.

Scott stood under the mistletoe for a moment longer, the playful energy of the moment fading into something more bittersweet. He shifted the basket in his hand, exhaling slowly as he glanced toward the exit.

“She’s not ready,” he told himself, his lips pressing into a faint smile tinged with disappointment.

He headed toward the register, the warmth of their earlier banter still lingering, tempered by the knowledge that Megan’s walls were still firmly in place. For now, he resolved to keep showing up, one small gesture at a time, hoping that eventually, she might trust him enough to let him in.

Chapter Eleven

Megan rinsed the last of the breakfast dishes, the warm water soothing against her hands. Ruby had insisted on pancakes shaped like Christmas trees that morning, and the green food coloring Megan had added to the batter still faintly stained her fingertips.

“Mommy, look!” Ruby’s voice rang out from the living room, where she was arranging her stuffed animals in a semicircle around the miniature Christmas tree Megan had set up for her.

“Hold on, sweetheart,” Megan called back. She dried her hands on a dishtowel and peeked around the corner, smiling as Ruby held up Mr. Bear, who was now sporting a tiny paper crown.

“Mr. Bear’s the king of Christmas!” Ruby declared, giggling.

“He certainly is,” Megan said, leaning against the doorway. Watching Ruby’s joy eased the knot in her chest, even if only for a moment.

Her phone sat on the counter, buzzing slightly as she picked it up and glanced at the time. It was mid-morning, late enough to catch Lauren in between errands. Taking a deep breath, Megan tapped the screen to dial.

Lauren answered almost immediately. “Merry Christmas Eve!”

“Merry Christmas Eve to you too,” Megan replied, her smile widening. “I figured you’d be knee-deep in last-minute wrapping or baking by now.”

“I’ve already wrapped half the house and consumed more coffee than is probably healthy,” Lauren said with a laugh. “What about you? How’s Christmas looking over there in your coastal paradise?”

Megan exhaled, her smile softening. “It’s different. Quieter. Ruby’s excited, though, and that helps.”

“Of course she is,” Lauren said warmly. “She’s got you, and you always make Christmas magical for her.”

Megan swallowed the lump forming in her throat. “I try. But this year, I keep thinking about Danny. He loved Christmas so much. I can’t help but feel like something’s missing.”

Lauren was silent for a moment, her voice soft when she finally spoke. “That’s because it is, Meg. And it’s okay to feel that. It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong—it just means you loved him. And you still do.”

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