Page 16 of Mistletoe Magic

“I heard you’re coming to my wedding, and you’re bringing a date.” Michele’s tone is snarky.

“Yes. Ava and I will be there and are so excited to attend.” I use my best valley girl impression.

“Who the fuck are you?” Michele’s wrath is now on me, which is what I want.

“Oh, Matthew didn’t tell you. He met me last night when I went back to the apartment to pick up Ava for our date. I’m Hunter.” I smile. The flicker of surprise in her bright blue eyes gives me all the answers I need. Matthew didn’t tell her he went to see Ava. “Babe, what time do you want to do dinner with my family? Mom wants to go to the salon first, and I told her she didn’t need to do that, but she wants to make a great first impression with you.”

“Practice gets done at seven, and tree lighting is at nine, so probably seven-thirty?” She smiles up at me. Ava licks her lips, tempting me to kiss her. “Bitchzilla, anything else?” Michele spins around, stomping out. Ava laughs hard before kissing me. “Thank you so much for that. To see her face scrunch up like she was eating a lemon when you mentioned meeting your family.”

My need to be near her overshadows everything about me. I want to move to Florida. I’ve never met a woman before who made me want to uproot my entire life, so what makes Ava so different and special?

We watch about thirty minutes of practice but leave to get ready for dinner. Ava says she’ll just meet me at the hotel. My dad made reservations in the dining room anyway.

Once I’m in my hotel room, I finally unpack my clothes but stare at the made bed. I don’t want to stay here. I wonder if I could convince Ava to either stay here with me or me with her? I grab a quick shower and put on a blue dress shirt and dark jeans. I spray my cologne, and when I get ready to leave my room, there’s a knock on the door.

“Hi.” Ava stands there, smiling at me as I open the door.

“Wow. You look beautiful.” Ava is wearing dark skinny jeans emphasizing her thick thighs and an off-the-shoulder light green shirt. It brings out the freckles on her shoulders and those beautiful eyes of hers. I swallow hard, wanting to take her.

“Stop looking at me like I’m on the menu,” she teases. “Do I look okay for meeting your parents? Lyssa picked out this shirt.” She looks incredible, standing in front of me, fidgeting with a piece of string on her shirt while biting her lip.

“They’re going to adore you. Be yourself. My dad can’t stop talking about you. My brothers are bragging about you to their wives. Chrissy can’t wait to help.”

“Are you ready to go eat? Not me.” Ava raises her eyebrow.

“I’m always ready to eat you. Never have to ask me that question.” I smack her ass as I close my hotel room door. “I have a question for you. Do you want to stay with me at the hotel while I’m in town, or can I stay with you?”

“Either works for me. You can use my car if you need one.” We walk hand-in-hand to the elevator while we talk about which would be best for both of us. She came up with splitting the time between the two places. Once we’re in the lobby, we walk to the dining room, and my parents are standing there talking.

“Mom, this is Ava.” I smile at the women embracing.

“Between my son and husband, I feel like I already know you.”

“The way Hunter and Denny talk about you, I feel like I should be bowing.” We laugh as we head to the table, and I notice my brothers are already there. Ava introduces herself to my sisters-in-law as we sit down.

We spend the night laughing, telling stories about me growing up to embarrass me. My dad bombards Ava with questions about Uncle Dennis and his life here. He’s looking forward to meeting everyone who knew him. Ava laughed so hard she snorted once, which led us to even more fits of laughter.

“Now, let’s go to the tree lighting. I heard you young kids are going out afterward,” Mom says.

“Yes. My friends are going to show them the nightlife here in Orlando and tomorrow night a bit of fun in Celebration.” My dad waves over the waiter. Ava squeezes my knees, and I lean into her. “Would I offend your dad if I asked him if I could pay for myself?”

“I don’t know. I’m not sure that anyone has asked. Do you want me to ask?” She shakes her head no.

“Mr. King,” she smiles, “I mean David. Do you mind if I pay for myself? I do have money.”

“Ava, I have no doubt you can pay for yourself. When having a family dinner with us, I have always paid and will continue to.” My dad seems to enjoy challenging her.

“Ava?” A woman’s voice comes from behind us. She stands and plasters a fake, tense smile on her lips.

“Lisa. How are you? You must be happy Michele is joining your family.” This must be a relation to Matthew. She looks like him, with brown eyes, brown hair, and an enormous nose.

“Michele has always been the sister that I always wanted. I heard you’re coming to the wedding. I lost a bet to my husband. He thought you’d make an appearance to stop the wedding. I told him you wouldn’t have the guts to show up.”

DoI stand up for her or let her handle it herself?

Ava

“Excuse me. Who are you?”I turn as Chrissy stands up and comes to stand next to me. Tina is next to get up.

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