Page 51 of Under the Mistle-Foe

He pounced into my arms and smashed our lips together, not even caring about the white lollipop stick poking out from the corner of my lips.

“Oh, thank god. I was prepared to follow you to New York since I can work from anywhere, but New York isn’t the same as Christmas Falls. This is home,” he said.

“If I moved back to New York, you would’ve gone with me?” It took a second for me to process his words before the shock registered for me.

He shifted on his feet. “I know we never talked about the future of our relationship, but you’re it for me. I’ve liked you for so long, and I’m not going to let a little move be the reason we don’t work out.”

“But you love Christmas Falls,” was all I could say in my daze. Even if I didn’t plan on staying here, I had no intentions of breaking up with Jett. Worst case, we’d do longdistance. But I never expected he’d be willing to move for me.

Christmas Falls was his home, and hethrivedhere. Being the social butterfly he was, there was always someone coming up to chat with him or just to say hi, and I could tell Jett loved it. He loved the fact he knew his neighbors and was part of our small community here. And to know he was willing to give that all up for me…

“I do, but to me, you’re more important,” Jett replied, his eyes clear and only reflecting me.Maybe I’d been too busy running away to realize it before, but the way he looked at me, the way he’d acted all these years, it was hard not to see his love for me.

I was done running from the people I loved. I was done repressing my emotions because I was scared of being hurt.

That was something I’d learned these past few weeks with Dad too. Because I’d been so afraid of telling him how I really felt, the misunderstandings kept piling up. I never wanted that for me and Jett.

“I love you,” I stated, putting my heart out there. I knew he wouldn’t let harm come to me because that was the kind of person he was.

Jett beamed; a full angel beam that had my heart almost stopping in my chest. He pressed closer to me and plopped a soft kiss on my lips, white stick poking out and all. “Yeah,” he breathed, all soft and warm. “I love you too.”

All the giddy feeling bloomed inside me, making me laugh as I pulled the lollipop out of my mouth and smothered his face with kisses. Jett laughed too, as my mouth attacked every inch of skin I could reach.

“Should we close the diner up now? You’ll be busy with groomsman duties for your friend’s wedding tomorrow, and with the farewell party later tonight, I feel like I’m not getting enough alone time with you,” I said when we’dcalmed down. The lollipop had somehow ended up in Jett’s mouth now as he rolled it around his tongue.

“Your dad won’t mind?” he asked, though he was obviously very on board with the idea.

I shrugged. “This place is gonna be mine soon anyway, so I get to make the rules. Besides, everyone’s out doing last-minute Christmas shopping.”

Dad had hinted about me taking over the entire time I was here. I secretly think he liked living the retirement life, considering he wasn’t at the diner all day anymore like he used to be.

With that settled, I had Atlas and the other staff members leave even earlier than planned. We’d see them again later for Atlas’ going away party since he was moving to Kither Springs right after Christmas.

Jett and I were the last people in the diner. He chatted with me, telling me how excited he was to see me in a suit for the wedding tomorrow and how he still couldn’t believe his friend was getting married. I smiled and hummed in agreement while I double checked all the stoves were turned off and we were set to leave for the night.

“My parents are arriving in town tomorrow night too,” Jett said, taking my hand as I turned off the lights in the diner. He stood under the mistletoe arch while I locked the front door. “Mom’s ecstatic they were able to finish the contract and make it home in time for Christmas. They say they’re excited to spend it at your place and get to know you.”

I turned to him to find him looking nervous, but his eyes were still shining as I joined him under the arch. My hands automatically wrapped around him, like it was impossible not to touch him. He stepped closer until our hearts were pressed together and plopped a cherry-flavored kiss on mylips, all while wrapped up in each other’s arms and witnessed by the mistletoe above our heads.

“I can’t wait,” I whispered against his lips.

“For what? The wedding or Christmas with my parents?” Jett asked softly.

“For everything with you,” I replied, and Jett smiled, stars lighting up in his eyes. He was so damn beautiful, I had to kiss him again. Jett laughed, music to my ears.

“Let’s head home,” he said, tugging on my hand.

Home.

I lived in New York for the past five years, but that place was just a city I hid inside of. It had been so long since I knew where my home was, but now that I’d found it again, I wasn’t letting go.

“Yeah, let’s head home.”

EPILOGUE

JETT

Next Christmas

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