Page 17 of Mistletoe Magic

“That’s none of your business. This is a private conversation.”

“If it was a private conversation, then you would’ve talked to her in the lobby or the bathroom, not in front of the entire dining room. I don’t really care who you are, but you will not disrespect a member of our family, especially in front of us.” Tina puts her hand on her hip, and Hunter sits with a smile on his face— he winks at me.

“I’m assuming you’re related to the ex who cheated on her with her sister for three years, then stole her wedding, including money from all the wedding deposits. You stand here wanting to make her look bad, but you’re coming across as a bitch.” Chrissy puts her arm around me. “So go bother someone else. We were just on our way out to do family things. Enjoy your night.” Chrissy, Tina, and I walk out together, laughing.

“Thank you. She hated me from the moment her brother brought me home. She knew the whole time Matthew was with my sister. I loved her face, though, when you called me family.”

“You are family. Hunter loves you, and I can guarantee you there will be a wedding in the future,” Tina teases. “Shopping trip!” She claps her hands.

He loves me?

“Are you okay?” Hunter sweeps me up into his big, muscular arms.

“Yes. My girls had my back.” He kisses me and leads me to my car. We’re in Orlando and need to head to Celebration for the tree lighting. He drives my car while his parents and brothers get into their rentals. “Why do people have to tear others down?”

“Because it makes them feel better. Their lives are miserable.”

“It’s sad, really. That family always hated me, and I don’t even know why.”

“Toxic people always look down on and try to destroy the good people of the world. You need to recognize it’s on them and not you.” Hunter parks at my apartment so we can easily walk to the village. Hand-in-hand, I point out the different shops and explain the town’s history as we go.

“Come on, you need to try some cocoa from the Cocoa Kiss truck. It’s heavenly.” I drag him through the crowd. He’s muttering about hot chocolate in this heat. I roll my eyes and tell him to shut up and enjoy the Christmas holiday.

Once he finds out they offer iced hot cocoa, he’s happy. We meet up with his family, and I look around for Lyssa and Jack. Tiny arms wrap around my waist from behind, and I squeal, drawing attention, blushing. I turn around, and there is Timmy, smiling up at me.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite Timmy in the whole wide world!” He smiles even harder.

“A! Tree lighting, I’m excited.” Timmy makes my heart skip a beat. Lyssa’s in-laws only come around on holidays when it suits them. Since Timothy isn’t alive and Timmy isn’t perfect in their eyes, then it makes it all okay— to them. They live in Tampa, which isn’t that far from here.

“Did you see Santa yet? Did you tell him I was a good girl this year and that coal last year wasn’t funny?” Timmy laughs. As a joke, he bought me a big chocolate kiss but unwrapped it and had my dad help him with covering it with a paper bag, writing—

to Ava

Try to be a good girl next year

from Santa.

“Jack took me.” I raise my eyebrow as Lyssa and Jack walk together. “I think they like each other,” Timmy whispers loudly.

“Timmy, I’d like to introduce you to some friends of mine.” I introduce the King family, and he asked them about Denny. “Denny taught Timmy how to skate.”

“I never knew ‘Celebration Denny’ before, and it makes me sad I missed out on this part of my brother.” David sniffles.

“That’s what this trip is about, honey. We’re finding out about him now. This is the Denny I remember when we started dating before the business took off, and he became corporate Dennis King. Here he got to be the man he always strived to be and taught our sons to be.” She looks at Hunter, giving him a sad look. I wonder what that means. He waves then hides behind me. “Timmy, do you know the best spot to watch the lights?”

“Yes, follow me.” He grabs Hunter’s mom, Liza’s hand, and pulls her through the crowd. Lyssa looks at me and shrugs her shoulders. We follow them. “After one, we go like this.” Timmy lays his head all the way back, so he’s looking at the sky. Liza follows instructions, which makes for a happy Timmy. My dad is going back to Lyssa’s apartment to watch Timmy for us so we can all go out. My mom and Michele are doing a spa thing with the bridesmaids tomorrow, so they’re staying at the hotel where Hunter is.

Looking around this crowd,I wonder . . . am I ready to let someone in?

Hunter

When that womanwas attacking Ava, it took everything in me not to punch her in the face, but when my sisters-in-law got up and defended my woman, that gave me their seal of approval. They accepted her into their circle. I swallow hard thinking about being with Ava for the rest of my life, not because I’m scared of it but excited by it.

We’re laughing and talking while Landon Bright, the owner of the Candy Cane Center, reminds us that the shops are open later for a couple of more days so those who are last-minute shoppers can grab what they need. He also reminds everyone that tomorrow is the pageant at Celebration Ice and the memorial for the late and great Dennis King. I look at my dad, who has a somber expression on his face. I know I was against it initially, but we all needed this trip.

“Now, let’s count down. Five… four… three… two… one,” We all join in at four and clap when the fifty-foot tree lights up.

“Wow, now that is a tree.” My mom smiles. “Timmy, you were right. This spot was the best one.”

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